All Postdoc Academy courses

Would you like to lead tough conversations with confidence, credibility and ease?

Do you know that navigating the minefield of high-stakes situations skilfully can transform your work and life for good?

Conflicts are an inescapable part of life. They are a make-or-break factor in relationships, a workplace ecosystem and in supporting (or limiting) career success.

Learning how to resolve disagreements in effective, productive ways is a must for any serious professional. Unfortunately, many talented research practitioners make the mistake of repeating performance-limiting reactive patterns based on avoidance or attack.

By attending this training, you can equip yourself with the vital clarity, confidence and skills to succeed.

• Learn how to manage conflict constructively and make the most of challenging situations.
• Disagree in a way that actively improves relationships, trust, teamwork and creativity, and enhances your leadership qualities, professionalism and credibility.

This single critical skill can unlock lifelong benefits, including:

• Higher job and life satisfaction
• Reduced stress
• Enhanced decision-making
• Increased productivity and efficiency
• Greater personal and team engagement
• Better group cohesion
• Stronger, more trustable relationships
• Lower legal risks
• And much more.

Join us for an invaluable opportunity to take your career and life to the next level. Packed with evidence-backed insights and user-friendly skills, this interactive, experiential workshop will be a safe, supportive and welcoming atmosphere for inter-professional dialogue and peer-learning.

You will learn simple, actionable approaches that will enable you to enhance productive outcomes of conflict while reducing the likelihood of escalation or harm. Understanding your conflict style and knowing which approaches work in each scenario will give you a critical edge.

Step out of your habitual reactions into a whole new world where you expand your understanding and make refreshing new discoveries about what is possible for yourself and others.

NOTE: All activities are entirely voluntary and no one will feel pressured to participate in any of the exercises.

Are you interested in pursuing a lectureship and/or long-term career at the University of Cambridge? Then you may be interested in contributing to discussions about a review of the Employer Justified Retirement Age (EJRA) as one of the main aims is to provide opportunities for lectureships for early career researchers.

A Retirement Policy and EJRA Review Group was set up by Council last year to consider whether the University’s current EJRA has been successful in meetings its aims and whether the terms of the University’s Retirement Policy remain fit for purpose.

The group now wishes to give members of the University community an opportunity to hear about its findings and recommendations, ahead of a final version being considered by the University Council in April, and a full report being published after that meeting. A ballot of the Regent House on the report’s recommendations is scheduled for June 2024.

To ensure that postdocs and early career researchers are able to contribute to these ongoing discussions, members of the postdoc community are invited to a dedicated online session.

Speakers will include:

• Professor Richard Penty, Chair of the EJRA Review Group
• Dr Nino Läubli, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Dept of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and member of the EJRA Review Group

Please note: it is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar.

Academic Writing Month, or ‘Writefest’, encourages researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in the spirit of collaboration and to foster a supportive, safe, and sustainable writing environment. Working within that collaborative ethos, the University of Cambridge and King’s College London are pleased to invite you to a new panel event that explores the different stages of the publishing cycle and provides a forum for doctoral and early career researchers to bring their questions to an expert panel including:

• Sam Stranks - University Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology and the Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge; Associate Editor at Science Advances; Editorial Advisory Board at ACS Energy Letters
• Meagan Simpson - Editor for Anthropology at Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
• Liz Colquhoun - Global Head of Portfolio for Heritage and Library & Information Science Journals at Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group
• Marina Picciotto - Professor of Psychiatry, Yale University; Editor-in-Chief at The Journal of Neuroscience
• Rosalind Galt - Professor in Film Studies, King's College London

The event will feature a discussion between our panellists and plenty of time for questions from the virtual floor.

• What are the considerations a researcher needs to take for thinking about the appropriate vehicle for an output when in draft stage?
• What are editors and publishers looking for, and what are the pressures on them?
• What are the benefits of sharing our various perspectives?
• What are the transitions between an idea in its infancy and a book on the shelf?

Following the UK government’s announcement of a ‘new’ visa route, known as the Global Talent Visa, Graeme Ross, the University’s Head of Immigration for staff members, will conduct a presentation on what this means for postdocs and how to apply for this visa. There will also be a short presentation on other relevant visa routes, such as dependant visas and Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settlement, and an opportunity to ask questions about other immigration matters.

“At Cambridge, we recognise that world-leading research depends on the connections researchers make to share ideas, pose new questions, challenge assumptions and form collaborations.”

Cambridge has a range of networks to promote interdisciplinary working and connect researchers across the university. These networks provide a range of opportunities for postdocs, from meeting new people and establishing collaborations, to developing and funding their own interdisciplinary projects. We have created this event to give postdocs a chance to find out about the importance of interdisciplinary research at Cambridge and the lively network of cross-School initiatives at the University.

For further information please see the short video: What impact will your next connection have?

Speakers: This event will be chaired by the Postdoc Academy Researcher Development team. There will be a general presentation introducing all of the SRNs/IRCs followed by individual presentations from Stephanie Norwood (Synthetic Biology IRC), Maria Bargues Ribera (Cambridge Infectious Diseases), Margarida Dias Rodrigues (Centre for Physical Biology), Francesca Re Manning (Global Food Security IRC ), and Sara Serradas O’Holleran (Global Challenges SRI). We will also be joined by postdocs who will talk about their experiences with these groups. Presentations will last for around 40 mins total with an opportunity for Q&A for the final 20 mins.

World-leading research depends on the connections researchers make to share ideas, pose new questions, challenge assumptions, and form collaborations.

Cambridge has a range of networks, initiatives, and centres to promote interdisciplinary working and connect researchers across the University.

This event will give postdocs a chance to find out about these networks and the opportunities they offer – from meeting new people and establishing collaborations, to developing and funding your own interdisciplinary projects.

You can find a list of the featured networks below.

For a brief introduction about these interdisciplinary networks, please see the short video: What impact will your next connection have?

Explore agile ways to respond to uncertainty and increase your research impact in this 90-minute online masterclass.

Research projects can often be complex and unpredictable. This training will support you to develop your own decision making in this uncertain environment.

The session will focus on four types of agility for research impact:

• environment scanning
• stakeholder/partner engagement strategies
• responding to complex problems effectively and efficiently
• developing an agile mindset.

It will include interactive elements, with the opportunity to reflect on your own practice and share your experiences.

The session will be delivered by Natacha Wilson from Cambridge Insights.

Creativity is a critical part of research, helping people look at old problems in new ways.

In this practical workshop for postdocs, we will explore:

• creativity as a way of operating rather than a talent
• tools and techniques to boost your creative confidence
• how to apply creative thinking to your own research questions.

To get the most out of the session, think of a particular problem or challenge in your research that you would like to work on creatively in the workshop. You might find the breakthrough you’ve been looking for!

Generative AI tools have great potential to increase research output and quality. They can be used to assist with:

• project conceptualisation
• research question development
• project management
• information search and organisation
• code writing
• data analysis
• and academic writing.

This hands-on workshop will provide you with the necessary literacies and skills to use AI technologies effectively and ethically as part of your research process.

Please note: it is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar.

This interactive and participatory webinar session aims to provide researchers with the space to focus on themselves, review where they are now and gain a renewed perspective on their next steps and goals. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on what helps them be at their best, what motivates them and how to bounce ‘forward’ with resiliency in times of uncertainty.

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Explore techniques to refocus, re-energise and build resiliency
• Gain clarity on their motivations, immediate steps and long-term goals
• Build stronger and meaningful connections in a supportive environment
• Identify what helps them be at their best.

The speaker: Daniela Bultoc is winner of the Times Higher Education Awards and recognised at a UK national level in three consecutive years for outstanding support for researchers and academics, a communities of practice expert, professional trainer and coach. She is also a Senior Fellow Researcher Developer - a prestigious recognition conferred by Vitae for her contributions to supporting and developing researcher development practices and policy development in the Higher Education (HE) sector. With 14 years experience of working in HE, Daniela is a highly regarded professional and international researcher developer consultant who seeks to support and inspire individuals and teams reach their potential in their chosen career paths.

In the face of escalating disruption, cultivating effective self-leadership and personal mastery has become vital for sustained performance and wellbeing.

As the pace of change intensifies, which qualities and abilities are needed to navigate the challenges ahead? Which insights, tools, practices and skills will help unleash a quantum leap in your personal and professional effectiveness?

Taking responsibility for your self-development is one of the greatest acts of leadership. As CEO-turned-Harvard scholar Bill George affirmed, ‘You cannot manage other people unless you manage yourself first’.

Expanding our field of perception, overcoming limiting beliefs, managing emotional reactivity and cultivating healthy, collaborative relations are increasingly vital skills to thrive in changing times.

Cutting-edge practices, especially transformative approaches and those that promote awareness in the heat-of-the-moment, can play a crucial part in helping accomplished professionals to act in increasingly skilful, resourceful and life-enhancing ways.

This online, interactive, experiential session is a valuable opportunity to bring a key professional challenge, discover fresh perspectives and explore breakthrough solutions for constructive action. It will provide simple yet profound tools for achieving new insights, leaving you better equipped to achieve sustainable breakthroughs in self-leadership, workplace functioning, research innovation and academic results.

Dedicating quality time in a safe, supportive space to cultivate your essential self-leadership capacities through inquiry and reflection can help you engage with your work in more powerful, rewarding and visionary ways.

Join us for a short training with a big impact adding lasting value to your self-leadership and career journey.

About the speaker:

Beth Meriam is an award-winning published researcher (PhD Cambridge), consultant and mentor-coach to pioneering leaders and high performers worldwide. She is a sought-after expert in optimising human potential and catalysing positive change.

Drawing on over 20 years of experience in 60 countries across 5 continents, Beth has designed and led a wide range of interventions including: World Bank, UK Govt., Unilever, SWIFT, Telefónica, UNESCO, Airbnb, BNP Paribas, and leading global business schools (IMD, Columbia, ESADE). She is a Windsor Leadership Facilitator-Mentor-Coach, a Henley Business School doctoral Mentor-Supervisor and a Taos Institute Global Associate (USA).

Her contributions have received numerous prestigious accolades, including Cambridge ‘Honorary Student’, The James Littlejohn Prize and 14 education, social responsibility and enterprise awards.

In this webinar, we will explore three approaches to better manage your workload by being able to:

• Challenge or ‘push back’ taking on additional work
• Negotiate how new workload is managed
• Say no when requested to engage in additional work that we cannot or do not want to take on

Saying ‘no’ becomes a necessary professional skill to support consistency and quality of your research outputs whilst taking care of your wellbeing. However, it is not always possible, hence being in quote marks.

This training will explore the options to avoid ‘just saying yes’. With plenty of time for questions and discussion on the practicalities how to implement the three approaches introduced.

This workshop will help you manage your own workload and is also useful if you are managing others.

The speaker: Caroline Broad (@broadtraining) gained her twenty years’ experience facilitating teams and delivering skills training with a focus on developing the skills of career researchers and University staff in STEM. Caroline loves working with people who have a depth of knowledge and a passion for their work. She starts with the assumption that everyone is naturally resourceful and capable and delivers value by developing an individual’s self-awareness, alongside an introduction to tools and theories that are directly applicable to their roles. Caroline is a certified practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Belbin Team Roles, is a Mental Health First Aider, C-Me profiling and Resilience Tools consultant. She facilitates an Action for Happiness Happy Café in her town and delivers the Exploring What Matters course focusing on wellbeing and resilience.

World Mental Health Day Event:

Dr Petra Boynton, Social Psychologist and author of Being Well In Academia will discuss the key concerns facing the wellbeing of postdocs including; mental health issues, overwork, confidence, career progression, stress, bullying/harassment, and exclusion.

Please fill in this form (https://forms.gle/5s2AEpZCjGHyhFxe7) to indicate which topic/topics you'd like to be covered during the session.

@drpetra on Twitter

@petraboynton on Instagram

www.theresearchcompanion.com

Zoom meeting details:

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84844328773?pwd=TXBvVnNaZnBMcTBDbWdvUEg5QnlkQT09

Meeting ID: 848 4432 8773

Passcode: 310126

Academic writing can be a challenging endeavour often carried out in isolation. Writing groups can offer a supportive environment of peers working toward similar goals, as well as structure and dedicated time and space conducive to writing productively. Regular participation in a writing group can hone your skills and keep you accountable to your goals via regular peer feedback. It can also create networking opportunities within and across subject disciplines.

The focus of this workshop is on creating and running writing groups, but it is also suitable for those who are interested in participating in writing groups and want to get the most out of their experience. We will cover the potential formats and aims a writing group might wish to pursue and provide some tips and tools for facilitating writing workshops and managing group dynamics.

During this workshop, you will also have the opportunity to network with participants from King’s College London.

Facilitators: This workshop will be delivered by Tom Rusbridge (King’s College London Centre for Research Staff Development) and Nicole Horst (University of Cambridge Postdoc Academy). They will be joined by Camice Revier (Department of Psychiatry) who will share her experiences of setting up and running the successful Cambridge Virtual Academic Writing Group.

If you are considering applying for an early career fellowship (postdoc fellowship and/or career development fellowship), this is the event for you. Dr Candace Hassall, Head of Researcher Affairs at the Wellcome Trust, will share insights gained from working for one of the UK’s top funders of academic research and from sitting on a range of selection panels for research funding. You will learn which questions to ask yourself both when thinking about applying and when preparing your application. Her advice is general and relevant to all disciplines.

Nicole Horst (RD/PdA) and Anne Forde (Careers Service) will co-host.

Representatives from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Human Resources, the Researcher Development Programme and the Careers Service are hosting another Zoom session to address your questions as the coronavirus situation continues to develop. ​We have already been fielding questions about contract / funding extensions and furlough, life after lockdown, balancing working from home with parental duties, how to work effectively from home and many other topics, so please ask us anything that you would like to know.

Whether or not you are able to join us, we welcome your questions via slido (www.slido.com, event code #V0100) between now and 7th July, as these will give us valuable insight into how our postdoc community is coping during the current situation and whether we can be providing further clarity, reassurance and support.

Representatives from the Postdoc Academy, Human Resources, the Researcher Development Programme and the Careers Service are hosting another Zoom session to address your questions as the coronavirus situation continues to develop. ​We have already been fielding questions about contract / funding extensions and furlough, life after lockdown, balancing working from home with parental duties, how to work effectively from home and many other topics, so please ask us anything that you would like to know.

Whether or not you are able to join us, we welcome your questions via slido (www.slido.com, event code #V0101) between now and 2nd October, as these will give us valuable insight into how our postdoc community is coping during the current situation and whether we can be providing further clarity, reassurance and support.

Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that just keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list?

Alongside everything else that needs to fit in with our busy research lives, it can be hard to schedule devoted time in which to sit, think, and write. Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to fend off procrastination and beat writer's block. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges and work in a focused way using the established Pomodoro technique.

This Academic Writing Month we invite you to bring along your virtual self and dedicate 2.5 hours to writing in a supportive setting with colleagues from institutions across the UK. There will be time to discuss your writing goals and make new connections.

There are four sessions (3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th November). You may sign up for one or multiple sessions.

These sessions are being hosted by King's College London and will be facilitated by Dr Jessica Davidson, Research Staff Development and Engagement Officer in the KCL Centre for Research Staff Development