What funding and support opportunities are available to me? How do I deal with setbacks? How do I balance an academic career with family life? These and many other issues concern researchers in the early years of their careers. Answers to these questions are now provided by the Research Careers Campus, which brings together activities for researchers on the path to a professorship. In addition to workshops, coaching sessions, advisory meetings and networking with employers, internal university networking is a key priority. This was reflected in the official opening on 22 and 23 April in the Aula and at unicorn with a very special festival.
“The Research Careers Campus is the central institution for research talent development at the University of Graz,” emphasised Rector Peter Riedler in his welcome address. In response to international trends and a high internal demand, the institution has developed a needs-based set of offers for more experienced academics, so called as mid-career researchers.
Vice-Rector Mireille van Poppel highlighted the wealth of experience in career development: “The Research Careers Campus is based on 15 years of experience. In 2011, the first contact point for doctoral students was established. In 2022, Austria’s first postdoc office was founded. Bringing these successful initiatives together was a logical step, as their needs overlap.”
Vice-Rector Joachim Reidl expressed his hope for the Research Careers Campus in the coming years that “the positive energy will continue and that it will have consolidated its position in informing and motivating researchers”.
The launch event focused on the question of how a positive research culture can be established across all career stages. “This involves good working conditions for researchers, exchange between researchers at different career stages, fostering a peer culture, and continuing to build our ‘friendly university’,” explains Johanna Stadlbauer, Head of the Research Careers Campus.
Award ceremony: All good things come in threes
A positive research culture at the University of Graz is also being driven forward by three projects that were honoured with a special award during the festival:
An interdisciplinary team is examining how we talk about plants and with one another. The project “From Roots to Words: Rethinking How We Speak About Plants (and Us)” aims to provide food for thought on gender-sensitive interaction between students, researchers and lecturers. The team has set itself the goal of ensuring that how we interact with one another rubs off on scientific practice. “There are proposals for alternative terms and classifications for plants that are more neutral and inclusive, without compromising scientific accuracy,” says Sarah Bürli, scientific director of the Botanical Garden, referring to publications. ⇒ learn more about the project
The Graz Open Science Initiative (GOSI) aims to dispel uncertainty and scepticism regarding Open Science. The initiative, launched by four psychologists, also highlights weaknesses and reservations and plans to organise a forum for interested parties. “We are not concerned with the infrastructure of Open Science,” explains psychologist Živa Korda. The focus is rather on the social aspect: “We want to address both the positive and problematic sides of its application. As in all areas of science, a critical perspective is important.” Although the method of publishing results is generally widespread and recognised, the sharing of data and research materials continues to face concerns and barriers.
Especially in remote locations such as the Arctic, research poses a challenge for both men and women. As in many areas of life, little attention has been paid to the different needs of the sexes during expeditions to the far north. Similarly, scientists often do not take their interactions with the indigenous population seriously enough. The construction of the University of Graz’s new Sermilik Station has now provided an opportunity to create a comprehensive handbook for safe and inclusive field research. It combines ethical guidelines, anti-discrimination standards and practical instructions for fostering a respectful working environment at the station and within the community of Tasiilaq. Through continuous development, it is also intended to serve as a model for other research stations worldwide. For this forward-thinking and promising work, the project was awarded the Research Integrity Award by the University of Graz.
⇒ https://research-careers-campus.uni-graz.at/en/