As the new IAD lead on developing training and support for Principal Investigators (PIs) at the University of Edinburgh, I am pleased to launch the new offer with a PI Researcher Realities event during our June Careers Month (2024) on how to have effective careers conversations.
The realities of having effective careers conversations, both from the perspective of the line manager and those they manage, are far from ideal for many. From the PIs perspective, career development conversations are an essential part of their role as managers of researchers. However, PIs also need to balance the interests of the individual with the wider team and research deliverables, and may have concerns about not being able to advise someone on careers outside of academia. Researchers, on the other hand, have responsibilities to take charge of their own career development by having honest conversations with managers about their goals, and do so on a regular basis. However, the power imbalances between PIs and researchers, or fears around losing their PIs support if they wish to leave academia, can make it very difficult for researchers to be honest about their aspirations and needs. The emotional burden these conversations can have on both parties make it difficult to ensure these conversations lead to real development.
This PI Researcher Realities event will invite a panel of researchers to use a storytelling approach to uncover the realities of having career conversations from the point of view of both the PI and the researchers, sharing learning of how to ensure they are effective, honest and developmental.
The panel will include:
- Prof. Timm Krueger, Personal Chair of Fluid and Suspension Dynamics, Co-Chair of Research Cultures Forum, School of Engineering
- Dr. Emma Hall, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer
- Dr. Joseph La Hausse de Lalouvière, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow, School of History, Classics and Archaeology.
The event will provide a forum for PIs and researchers to come together in a safe environment to have honest discussions on having effective careers conversations.
Booking information
The event will be held on Wed 19th June 2024, 9:30-10:30 (followed by coffee and networking 10:30-11:00), Holyrood campus area
Click here to find out more and to book onto the event (links to People & Money learning app)
Any queries please email IAD.Researchers@ed.ac.uk for information.
References in order of use:
- Wellcome Trust report on What researchers think about the culture they work in (p.24)
- Prosper portals guidance on successful career conversations
- Imperial’s guidance on supporting the skills and career development of your team
- IAD blog post on having career conversations with your PI
Emily Woollen is an Academic Developer in the Researcher Development team, and leads on the development, roll-out and embedding of training and support for Principal Investigators at the University of Edinburgh.
(Image by pencil parker from Pixabay)
(Image by pencil parker from Pixabay)
