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Postdoc Academy Training

Postdoc Academy course timetable

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Wed 4 Dec 2024 – Thu 23 Jan

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December 2024

Wed 4
[Postdoc Course: Resilient Leadership in Action] (7 of 9) Finished 09:30 - 12:00 Online

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

Resilient Leadership in Action is a nationally recognised, practical training programme delivered online in collaboration with several other institutions (including hosts King's College London and University College London). This programme offers a unique opportunity to reshape your ideas about being a leader and expand your leadership skills, supported by experienced coaches and fellow researchers from different disciplines and institutions.

The programme will also help you to:

  • understand the impact of leadership styles on those being led
  • influence people towards a common goal/purpose
  • receive feedback on your own leadership styles and identify how these can be developed further
  • engage with researchers from a variety of disciplines, backgrounds and career stages.

What happens during the course?

This course will support you to develop a range of leadership skills through the act of applying them, rather than focusing on leadership theory.

Activities The course is based around seven activities, the first six of which are designed to explore a different aspect of leadership and provide a practical insight into how leadership works. In the final activity, you will address a leadership activity that you can continue beyond the course.

You will work with others in teams of six with a coach to help you make sense of the activities.

  • Session 1: Leading Problem Solving
  • Session 2: Activity Review, Contracting and Values
  • Session 3: Leading Public Engagement
  • Session 4: Leading Strategy Development
  • Session 5: Leading Creative Production
  • Session 6: Resilient Decision Making and Leadership Presence
  • Session 7: Leading Multiple Tasks
  • Session 8: Leading Crisis Management
  • Session 9: Leading Your Vision Presentations and Conclusion

Buddies and home groups Throughout the course you will work alongside your "buddy", who is another course participant. Together you will share your experiences and provide mutual support, developing key co-coaching skills in the process.

You will also have a “home group” where you consolidate your learning.

Resilient leadership Underlying everything is the Resilient Leaders Elements, a framework you can use to support your learning.

Application deadline is XXX

Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 09:35 - 17:00 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Thu 5
[Postdoc Course: Resilient Leadership in Action] (8 of 9) Finished 09:30 - 12:00 Online

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

Resilient Leadership in Action is a nationally recognised, practical training programme delivered online in collaboration with several other institutions (including hosts King's College London and University College London). This programme offers a unique opportunity to reshape your ideas about being a leader and expand your leadership skills, supported by experienced coaches and fellow researchers from different disciplines and institutions.

The programme will also help you to:

  • understand the impact of leadership styles on those being led
  • influence people towards a common goal/purpose
  • receive feedback on your own leadership styles and identify how these can be developed further
  • engage with researchers from a variety of disciplines, backgrounds and career stages.

What happens during the course?

This course will support you to develop a range of leadership skills through the act of applying them, rather than focusing on leadership theory.

Activities The course is based around seven activities, the first six of which are designed to explore a different aspect of leadership and provide a practical insight into how leadership works. In the final activity, you will address a leadership activity that you can continue beyond the course.

You will work with others in teams of six with a coach to help you make sense of the activities.

  • Session 1: Leading Problem Solving
  • Session 2: Activity Review, Contracting and Values
  • Session 3: Leading Public Engagement
  • Session 4: Leading Strategy Development
  • Session 5: Leading Creative Production
  • Session 6: Resilient Decision Making and Leadership Presence
  • Session 7: Leading Multiple Tasks
  • Session 8: Leading Crisis Management
  • Session 9: Leading Your Vision Presentations and Conclusion

Buddies and home groups Throughout the course you will work alongside your "buddy", who is another course participant. Together you will share your experiences and provide mutual support, developing key co-coaching skills in the process.

You will also have a “home group” where you consolidate your learning.

Resilient leadership Underlying everything is the Resilient Leaders Elements, a framework you can use to support your learning.

Application deadline is XXX

Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 14:00 - 16:10 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Fri 6
[Postdoc Course: Resilient Leadership in Action] (9 of 9) Finished 09:30 - 12:00 Online

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED. FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY

Resilient Leadership in Action is a nationally recognised, practical training programme delivered online in collaboration with several other institutions (including hosts King's College London and University College London). This programme offers a unique opportunity to reshape your ideas about being a leader and expand your leadership skills, supported by experienced coaches and fellow researchers from different disciplines and institutions.

The programme will also help you to:

  • understand the impact of leadership styles on those being led
  • influence people towards a common goal/purpose
  • receive feedback on your own leadership styles and identify how these can be developed further
  • engage with researchers from a variety of disciplines, backgrounds and career stages.

What happens during the course?

This course will support you to develop a range of leadership skills through the act of applying them, rather than focusing on leadership theory.

Activities The course is based around seven activities, the first six of which are designed to explore a different aspect of leadership and provide a practical insight into how leadership works. In the final activity, you will address a leadership activity that you can continue beyond the course.

You will work with others in teams of six with a coach to help you make sense of the activities.

  • Session 1: Leading Problem Solving
  • Session 2: Activity Review, Contracting and Values
  • Session 3: Leading Public Engagement
  • Session 4: Leading Strategy Development
  • Session 5: Leading Creative Production
  • Session 6: Resilient Decision Making and Leadership Presence
  • Session 7: Leading Multiple Tasks
  • Session 8: Leading Crisis Management
  • Session 9: Leading Your Vision Presentations and Conclusion

Buddies and home groups Throughout the course you will work alongside your "buddy", who is another course participant. Together you will share your experiences and provide mutual support, developing key co-coaching skills in the process.

You will also have a “home group” where you consolidate your learning.

Resilient leadership Underlying everything is the Resilient Leaders Elements, a framework you can use to support your learning.

Application deadline is XXX

Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 12:30 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Mon 9
Postdoc Community – mince pies & mingling new Finished 13:00 - 14:00 Postdoc Centre@ Mill Lane, Eastwood Room

Join the Postdoc Academy for a festive end-of-year get together at the Mill Lane Postdoc Centre! Take a break from your research and unwind with fellow postdocs as we celebrate the close of another year. There will be a selection of delicious mince pies and soft drinks to enjoy.

It’s a great opportunity to connect with colleagues, share highlights from the past year, and look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead. Whether you're here for the mince pies, the company, or just to unwind after a busy year, we look forward to celebrating with you!

This session will include:

  • celebrating the end of the year with festive treats and soft drinks
  • connecting with fellow postdocs and other colleagues with a postdoc interest
  • reflecting on the year

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

Wed 11
Virtual Writing Retreats CANCELLED 10:00 - 12:00 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Postdoc Academy Workshop: Group Dynamics and Effective Teams new CANCELLED 10:30 - 13:00 Postdoc Centre @ Eddington, Sanders Hall

Do you worry about conflict and disagreement in your team? Do you use strategies to avoid conflict? Do you want to better understand how groups and teams function in order to improve your productivity?

Conflict and disagreement are a natural and inevitable part of group development. What’s important is how this is dealt with.

In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to:

  • learn about some key theories on group/team development
  • examine strategies to address disagreement in a way which enables you to achieve your team’s goals
  • look at some real-world conflict scenarios and apply strategies
  • work on a situation from your own context and get feedback.

This workshop is for anyone who works as part of a team and wants to better understand how teams function, or if you are an aspiring team leader looking for strategies to manage teams.

This session will run again in Lent and Easter Terms. If you would like to be notified of future iterations of this session, please add yourself to the waitlist or register your interest.

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.

Thu 12
Postdoc Welcome Event Finished 10:00 - 11:30 Postdoc Centre @ Biomedical Campus, Newman Library

The Postdoc Academy provides welcome events specific to postdocs joining the University of Cambridge - these are open to postdocs affiliated with the University, Colleges and University Partner Institutes.

These sessions include presentations from the Postdoc Academy, PdOC and Careers Service, followed by a Q&A and then networking.

You will be given information on how to navigate life as a researcher in Cambridge and then have the opportunity to network with other new postdocs and University services.

During the session, postdocs will learn about:

  • interacting with the Postdoc Academy
  • attending professional development activities and accessing the Careers Service
  • connecting to the wider postdoc community at Cambridge
  • accessing resources available to postdocs as staff members.

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.

If you have any questions or problems with signing-up, please email events.pda@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Postdoc Academy Workshop: What is Research Leadership? Finished 13:30 - 16:30 Postdoc Centre @ Biomedical Campus, Newman Library

As you progress in your career, you will have to navigate the transition from being managed and supervised by others, to taking on leadership of projects and people for the first time.

Using our own experience of leadership, along with discussion and theories, we will look at a variety of aspects of successful leadership within the research and innovation context.

This workshop will provide an opportunity for you to:

  • think about your aims in terms of leadership
  • take stock of your own leadership attributes and experience
  • identify how to further develop your research and innovation leadership potential.

This session will run again in Lent and Easter Terms. If you would like to be notified of future iterations of this session, please add yourself to the waitlist or register your interest.

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

Fri 13
Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 12:00 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Mon 16
Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 14:00 - 16:00 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Fri 20
Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 13:00 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

January 2025

Thu 9
Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 14:00 - 16:10 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Tue 14
Postdoc Academy Masterclass: What is Lean? Finished 14:00 - 15:30 Online

This short, interactive session will introduce the fundamental principles of Lean - a methodology which prioritises continuous improvement and respect for people.

Lean is a philosophy and way of working which removes waste from activities and ensures that emphasis is given to tasks that provide added value. Originally developed by Toyota, it is now widely used across many sectors including the NHS and Higher Education.

During this masterclass for postdocs, you will:

  • gain a high-level understanding of continuous improvement tools and techniques, and how you can apply them
  • develop skills to identify and remove waste in your day-to-day activities to become more effective and efficient.

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

Wed 15

Failure - we all experience it in our lives and feel the impact in different ways. Sometimes we're able to embrace failure, learn from it and try again, but this isn't easy.

In this honest, yet light-hearted session we will:

  • explore the concept of failure and what makes it so powerful
  • look at types of failure and how we respond
  • explore practical tools and techniques to help harness knowledge from failure.

This will also be a safe space for any attendees to share their own experiences and advice. Join this session to understand and explore the real power of failure.

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

Thu 16
Virtual Writing Retreats [Places] 09:35 - 17:00 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Mon 20
Postdoc Academy Workshop: Introduction to Entrepreneurial Skills for all Researchers [Places] 12:30 - 15:00 Postdoc Centre@ Mill Lane, Eastwood Room

Funders of academic research and employers of researchers are increasingly valuing individuals with entrepreneurial spirit and a broader set of skills that can be used to innovate and create impact from research.

Researchers with these skills are at an advantage when applying for permanent academic positions, securing research funding, or pursuing commercialisation opportunities.

This interactive session will introduce you to:

  • what an entrepreneurial mindset is and how all researchers can adopt and develop this to pursue their interests
  • the frameworks and tools that are used in the startup world to create compelling business opportunities
  • how you can adapt these to support innovative research, create impact, and secure grant or fellowship funding
  • how to create your personal "elevator pitch" to introduce yourself and create new opportunities at networking events or to future employers.

This session will run again in Easter Term. If you would like to be notified of future iterations of this session, please add yourself to the waitlist or register your interest.

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

Tue 21
Postdoc Academy Workshop: Becoming Assertive new [Places] 10:30 - 13:30 Postdoc Centre@ Mill Lane, Eastwood Room

Are you able to express yourself clearly and appropriately so you can ask for what you want and be heard?

Do you find yourself saying ‘yes’ to others but ‘no’ to yourself? Or perhaps you feel as though you have to shout at others to get things done?

Join us to explore what assertiveness looks and sounds like, and have the opportunity to practice.

This interactive workshop will give you the opportunity to:

  • understand what being assertive means
  • recognise the differences between assertive, passive and aggressive behaviour/communication styles
  • develop awareness of your own communication style
  • understand and apply strategies for communicating assertively.

You will also have access to additional tools and resources if you want to extend your learning and practice beyond what is covered on the day.

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

Wed 22
Virtual Writing Retreats [Places] 10:00 - 12:00 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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

Postdoc Academy Masterclass: Better Boundaries new [Places] 11:30 - 12:30 Online

How can we establish healthy boundaries to make work and life easier?

In this 1 hour session, we will:

  • learn why we struggle to establish healthy boundaries - the science
  • validate our current experience - understand why it's normal for boundaries to become blurred
  • define our values - our 3 most important aims in life - it's easier to set healthier boundaries with clear meaningful goals
  • plan to set one boundary over the next month to improve our life situation - convert intention into effective action.

55% of workers feel that work is getting more intense and demanding, 61% of workers say they feel exhausted at the end of most working days - MHFA.

PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the facilitator's Zoom registration form to access your personalised meeting link. See joining instructions for further details.

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

Postdoc Welcome Event [Full] 13:00 - 14:30 Postdoc Centre@ Mill Lane, Eastwood Room

The Postdoc Academy provides welcome events specific to postdocs joining the University of Cambridge - these are open to postdocs affiliated with the University, Colleges and University Partner Institutes.

These sessions include presentations from the Postdoc Academy, PdOC and Careers Service, followed by a Q&A and then networking.

You will be given information on how to navigate life as a researcher in Cambridge and then have the opportunity to network with other new postdocs and University services.

During the session, postdocs will learn about:

  • interacting with the Postdoc Academy
  • attending professional development activities and accessing the Careers Service
  • connecting to the wider postdoc community at Cambridge
  • accessing resources available to postdocs as staff members.

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.

If you have any questions or problems with signing-up, please email events.pda@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Thu 23
Immigration Info Session for Postdocs [Places] 11:00 - 13:00 Online

With ever developing complexities in the UK’s immigration system, join us for this briefing and Q&A with the University’s Head of Immigration.

The session will cover:

  • the ‘basic’ work visas, such as Skilled Worker and Global Talent
  • how to switch into or extend these in order to remain in the UK
  • guidance on applications for dependents
  • Indefinite Leave to Remain/settlement/citizenship applications.

There will also be plenty of time for you to ask questions about other immigration matters. If your question cannot be answered on the day, it will be followed up individually afterwards.

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

Virtual Writing Retreats [Places] 14:00 - 16:00 Online

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

Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. 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 Pomodoro technique.

These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment.

The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

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