In light of the course of the coronavirus pandemic this workshop have been posponed to 10-12 february 2021.

This workshop is targeted at those currently undertaking PhDs or in the early career stages post-PhD. 

The deadline for registration is 31st August 2020. Applications should be submitted to tadeusz.rudek@uj.edu.pl. You can only register for this workshop, if you are attending the Fifth Energy & Society (perhaps likely now, virtual) Conference.

Energy-SHIFTS Consortium partners, ARU and JU, are organising a conference workshop called ‘How to navigate new waters… Plan and develop your career in the field of Energy-SSH’, at the forthcoming Fifth Energy and Society Conference, which is running over 8-10 September 2020, in Trento (Italy). We do note that – given the current Coronavirus situation – the conference is currently discussing moving the conference fully online, and thus virtual participation in our workshop is welcomed.

Specifically, this workshop will focus on discussing how Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) can best plan, develop and create career paths within the energy-related Social Sciences and Humanities (energy-SSH) field, and it will address the following questions:

  • What are the opportunities associated with the different career paths available to energy-SSH researchers post-PhD?
  • What are the most useful skills and experience for ESRs?
  • What are the most significant barriers for energy-SSH ESRs?
  • What do ESRs expect from other senior colleagues during their collaboration?

What this workshop is about

Divided in two parts, this workshop will follow this structure:

Part 1 (60 min) 

It will be conducted using the World Café method.

Participants will be divided into four groups. Six discussion tables will be named:

  • Participation (what are the most useful experiences for ESRs?);
  • Networking (how to best develop an ESR’s research network?);
  • Engagement (how do ESRs get a job?);
  • Expand (how to promote your research in #SocialMedia, if indeed it matters?);
  • Gain (how to gain international research grants and funds?); and,
  • Support (what do ESRs expect from their senior research co-workers?).

Each table will have specific tasks and will be equipped with creative materials to use.

Part 2 (30 min) 

In plenary, we will briefly present back and then discuss the key themes emerging from group’s discussions. Creative methods (e.g. mapping, visual materials, puzzles, short videos) will be used to aid dialogue on future career path options, as part of establishing a clear set of take-home recommendations.

In terms of outcomes, a priority for this workshop is to collectively produce a list of skills and experiences that may be good for ESRs working in energy-SSH to consider. Risks and opportunities will be a central thread through our interactive discussions.

How to get involved

The workshop is focused on Early Stage Researchers, who we broadly classify (according to the European Commission) as researchers in the first four years of their research career, including PhD research. However, we are also very much open to others who are in the early years of their research career and are keen to participate and contribute to our workshop discussions.

To register, please send an email to Tadeusz Rudek: tadeusz.rudek@uj.edu.pl  by 31st August. Remember you must be registered to attend the conference itself, to be eligible to register for this workshop.

Energy-SHIFTS project, focusing on the relevance of ESR in research

In the Energy-SHIFTS project, we firmly believe that ESR development is of critical importance to the energy-SSH field, including to enhance the current and future policy impacts of new energy-SSH research. As such, we have created an ESR Programme that ensures a range of opportunities for ESRs to participate in our project work.