Programme

Pre-conference workshop and networking opportunity

Join us for this pre-conference session to meet members of the Vitae team and find about more about their specialist interests and upcoming projects.

As always, this session is particularly useful for anyone who is attending the conference for the first time, coming from outside the UK, or new to researcher development. However, all are welcome to join us as we aim to get to know the participants and understand their perspectives and priorities.

There will be space for questions and discussions to build new relationships and networks that will continue during the rest of the conference and beyond.

Welcome and introduction

Opening plenary: What is the future we are developing researchers for?

A panel of experts will provide their perspectives on jobs of the future, the changing global research and development environment, creating healthier workplaces, and the future of research funding and assessment.

Chair: Drs Astrid Wissenburg, CRAC Chairman of Trustees, and Director of Research, University of Exeter

Researcher as a responsible professional: Scope and future perspectives
Professor Michael Matlosz, President, EuroScience

Positive wellbeing at work
Dr Gary Williams, Senior Research Officer, Mind

A more positive culture for careers
Dr Anne-Marie Coriat, Head of UK and EU Research Landscape, Wellcome

Lunch, networking and exhibition

Workshop sessions A

Refreshment break

Half plenary session 1: Where are they now? Improving our understanding of doctoral graduate careers

Chair: Sue Fleet, CRAC Trustee

Employability and Career Satisfaction of Australian Doctoral Graduates: A Case Study
Dr Sharon Saunders, Director, Griffith Graduate Research School (GGRS), Griffith University 

Unexpected careers: examples from Flanders
Dr Margaux Kersschot, Policy Advisor, Department of Research Affairs and Innovation, University of Antwerp

A wish-list for researcher career data
Dr Robin Mellors-Bourne, Director of Research and Intelligence, CRAC/Vitae

Why tracking doctoral career destinations matters: a career guidance point-of-view
Dr Holly Prescott, PGR Careers Adviser, University Graduate School/Careers Network, University of Birmingham

Half plenary session 2: Catalysing a culture shift in the development of research staff

Chair: Gabby Silberman, CRAC Trustee, and Director General of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)

The Concordat as a lever for systemic change
Professor Julia Buckingham, CBE, Chair of Concordat Strategy Group, and Vice-Chancellor and President, Brunel University London

Prosper: enhancing first-time postdoctoral career development and success
Professor Anthony Hollander, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research & Impact, University of Liverpool

Fit for the Future? Thinking about Research Leadership in HE
Professor Matthew Flinders, Professor of Politics, University of Sheffield, and ESRC Council Member

Scientfic Ecosystems and Research Reproducibility
Professor Marcus Munafò, Professor of Biological Psychology, University of Bristol

Refreshments with snacks, networking and exhibition

Workshop session B

Special interest sessions

Wine reception with canapes, networking and poster presentations

The final of the Vitae 3 Minute Thesis 2019 Competition, 3 course dinner and poster prize

09:00

Plenary: Building a more collaborative, open and inclusive research culture

This panel will shine a light on community driven efforts to improve the experiences of underrepresented groups in research and academic careers, to foster research integrity, and to value and reward a team approach to research

Chair: Dr Nigel Eady, Director of Research Talent, King's College London

Raising Visibility: Role Modelling Difference
Dr Kieran Fenby-Hulse, Impact Manager, Teesside University

Doctoral training schemes and a 'team science' approach
Professor Jeanette Woolard, Professor of Cardiovascular Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Nottingham

Interdisciplinary Curiosity and Solidarity for Survival
Dr Christine "Xine" Yao, Lecturer in American Literature to 1900, University College London

Doctoral researcher perspectives on power, independence and inclusivity
Martin Grund, Doctoral Researcher, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences

Closing plenary: Doing things differently

How can we adjust our perspective to prepare ourselves for the changing world of research and work? How can we be a positive influence in changing the world around us for the better?

Chair: Dr Katie Wheat, Head of Higher Education Engagement, Vitae

The PhD: an invented tradition?
Associate Professor Inger Mewburn, Director of Research Training, The Australian National University 

Doctoral studies - be prepared to expect the unexpected: A Chaos Theory of Careers perspective
Dr Jim Bright, Professor of Career Development, Australian Catholic University (ACU), and Proprietor, Bright and Associates