National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) 2020
In 2020 the University of Exeter, took part in the first National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW).
Below is a list of events from the week:
Event 1: #NPAW2020 - The Positive ApproachTM (Organised by The University of Liverpool)
Monday 21 September - 10 am - 11.30 am
Learn the secrets of navigating your way to leading happier, more fulfilling and successful lives. Ever noticed that some people just seem to have their lives sorted? They are laser-focused; full of enthusiasm; and motivated to succeed. And when life throws them curve-balls, they bounce them right back. So, is this pure chance, or are they doing something really special that sets them apart? This session takes you through some of the top secrets of their success: we call them the “Positive Skills for Life”. And like any skill, we can learn what we need to do, and (more importantly) how to apply it for ourselves. From resilience, mind-set, motivation to simple organisation skills, we’ll help you to navigate your way to your own personal success story. To book your place register here.
Event 2: #Recognition of Research Talents
Monday 21 September - 1 pm - 2.30 pm
Join us for a fun and upbeat event to kickstart a week of celebrations! Sara Shinton (University of Edinburgh) will highlight the fantastic careers researchers achieved both within and without academia, followed by a session in identifying and exemplifying transferable skills of researchers with Chris Humphrey (Jobs on Toast), complete with singing and laughter from award-winning BBC presenter Emer Maguire! Register here for the celebration event.
Event 3: #PostdocChat - Careers in Academia and Beyond
Tuesday 22 September - 10 am - 11.30 am
In this moderated panel discussion Q&A session, five panellists (Fiona Watt, MRC; Bethan Hughes, Wellcome; Rachel Cox, Vitae; Sarah Staniland, Sheffield University; Prosper Project, University of Liverpool) come together to provide information and insights to researchers regarding their careers options, highlight available resources as well as new pilot programmes that will be available for researchers to utilise. They will also give insights to how the new Concordat will be implemented in a meaningful way, that can positively impact researchers. Register here now to be part of this important discussion!
Event 4: #My Escape from the Lab : Scientific Publishing (Organised by the University of Liverpool)
Wednesday 23 September 2020 - 3 pm - 4 pm
Dr Matteo Cavalleri, a publisher at Wiley will share his experience going from a chemistry postdoctoral position to his current career on the “other side” of Scientific publishing. His talk will explore roles for postdoctoral STEM researchers in the publishing industry. He will enable a broader understanding of the different roles inside the editorial office of academic journals and the skills required for editorial positions posted by commercial and society publishers. To book your place register here.
Event 5: #The Use of Responsible Metrics : The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) (Organised by The University of Liverpool)
Friday 25 September 2020 - 1 pm - 2 pm
This workshop will introduce the responsible use of metrics and will also focus on particular actions postdocs could take – e.g. how to use bibliometrics and altmetrics to their advantage when presenting research outcomes in CVs or funding applications, how to select a publication, how to embed DORA recommendations in research and how to assertively challenge bad practice. This workshop will be facilitated by Dr Zuzana Oriou, UoL Project Manager on Responsible Metrics in Research Assessment. To attend you will need to register here.
Event 6: #Giant Virtual Coffee (hosted by The University of Liverpool)
Friday 25 September - 2.45 pm - 3.30 pm
We would like to invite you to join us at a coffee /tea/ refreshment of your choice zoom meeting to end NPAW 2020. It will be nice informal way to chat with other postdocs from both your own University and others within the UK. Please register via Eventbrite.
The Concordat and What It Means, followed by Q&A
Tuesday 22 September 2020 - 12 noon - 12.45 pm
The University of Exeter has signed the Researcher Development Concordat which aims to ensure all UK researchers will be working in healthy and supportive research environments. Come along to this bite-size session delivered by Head of Researcher Development & Research Culture, Dr Christopher Wood, and Head of People Development, Clive Betts, where you can learn more about the University’s promise, as well as ask questions.
Please note this event is delivered virtually and only open to Exeter ECRs.
Top Tips for Managing Your Career followed by Q&A
Tuesday 22 September 2020 - 3 pm - 3.45 pm
Exeter’s very own Researcher Development Careers’ Coach, Kate Foster, will be on hand to offer top tips for managing your career followed by an opportunity to ask questions. This session allows you time to focus on yourself and your career direction.
Please note this event is delivered virtually and only open to Exeter ECRs.
Writing Groups for Early Career Researchers
Wednesday 23 September 2020 - 10 am - 12 noon
ECRs are, by definition, writers. Recent years have seen increasing research into the practice of academic writing, and here in Exeter, the Doctoral College has run a series of events that aim to provide attendees with time and space to write. In these events, writing is recognised as a ‘structured social practice’ that is better done together, as writers collaborate on goal-setting and working alongside one another for a series of 25-minute ‘writing blocks’. This session will take these principles and apply them to the specific challenges facing Early Career Researchers. Attendees will learn about the principles underlying the writing groups run in Exeter, before being given the opportunity to attend a session run by two experienced facilitators, Kelly Preece and Edward Mills.
Please note this event is delivered virtually and only open to Exeter ECRs.
The University of Exeter- GIANT ECR Coffee Morning
Thursday 24 September - 12 noon - 1 pm
Open to all ECRs, come and join us for a our GIANT ECR coffee morning- meet other ECRs and find out what others are doing around the University.
Please note this event is delivered virtually and only open to Exeter ECRs.