Contact
Maja Malmberg, researcher at the Department of Animal Biosciences (HBIO)
maja.malmberg@slu.se, +46(0)18-67 27 77
News
Young researchers are organising themselves
Published: 21 September 2016
The idea is neither new nor unique. At most universities there is already a type of network aimed at supporting, inspiring and helping young researchers. SLU has also had similar initiatives, but nothing that has become permanent. Researchers at the VH Faculty have now started Future Faculty to once again try to give young researchers a common voice.
“When I started at SLU after having taken a doctorate at KI, I was actually surprised that there was no association for young researchers here,” says Maja Malmberg, researcher at the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health and one of the initiators of Future Faculty.
Maja Malmberg believes that there is a need for a network where young researchers can address career-related issues at SLU, and Future Faculty aims to fulfil this need. The network is now beginning to take shape during informal, common Wednesday lunches in “kuren” (the alcove) at the VHC lunch room. And the level of interest seems to be high - the group's mailing list already consists of almost 50 people, and the first more formal meeting in mid-August had 19 people in attendance. From the dean's side, the idea has also been positively received. Both Dean Kristina Dahlborn and Deputy Dean Henrik Rönnberg have expressed support for the initiative and will be available for further discussions to come.
The work with Future Faculty is still in its infancy and some practical details remain to be resolved, including funding. What should an organisation like this look like, how will it be financed and by whom? There is also a number of decisions still to be made regarding the organisation's activities. The idea so far is to organise two meetings per semester, produce a document on careers at SLU and inviting someone to talk about how SLU is organised and who is responsible for each different matters.
“As it stands, it can be very difficult for postdocs from other countries to find out important details concerning their career at SLU. Sometimes they don’t receive important information on, for example, courses until after the fact, as in way too late,” says Maja Malmberg, who also points out that these are issues that often go hand in hand with the work with equal opportunities.
Everyone at VH who has a doctoral degree but is not a professor is invited to become part of the network. If you think this sounds relevant to you but have not already expressed interest, please contact Maja Malmberg.