The 15th – 19th September 2025 is Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW), a way to recognise and celebrate postdocs and the great work they do. This initiative began in the USA, and now is an established activity in the postdoctoral calendar in the UK.
What is happening during this week at Edinburgh?
At The University of Edinburgh there are number of events and awards planned as part of this week, organised by our Colleges and Postdoc/Research Staff Societies across the University. In addition to our societies organising local events, a number of them are also involved in a university wide event – Big Postdoc Quiz – which is open to all research staff at the University to go along for trivia, pizza, drinks and prizes!
The IAD Researcher Development team is also delighted to be supporting this week with our research staff careers consultants, Eleanor & Darcey, running Quick Queries (short 1:1 career development consultations) and a briefing session on Career Anxiety which will explore some of the sources of career fears, understand when and why anxiety can be useful (even good), and learn tactics for managing emotions in our career constructively, and for our benefit. Nicola Cuthbert, Researcher Development Manager, will also delivering a Researcher Development Concordat information and Q&A session, giving an overview of the progress that has been made at the University of Edinburgh, supporting our postdocs.
Other events happening during PAW
In addition to local initiatives, the #UKNPAW2025 are also organising an online event ‘From Surviving to Thriving – Planning your Future’ open to postdocs at any institution, where they will explore the power of self-leadership, with an expert speaker and panel discussion with former postdocs who have carved diverse career paths. Prosper is also running a webinar, around ‘Unlocking Postdoc Career Development’
Booking onto events!
To find out more and access the links to book onto events, visit the UoE Postdoc Appreciation Week web page
Consider being part of a Research Staff / Postdoc Society!
If you are also interested in being part of a Postdoc/Research Staff society, and involved in organsing and taking part in events through the year, as well as PAW, have a look at our web page on our Research Staff Hub which lists all the current societies – Societies at University of Edinburgh. Societies are always looking to welcome new members. It’s a really rewarding experience being part of society, not to mention something that supports your own career and professional development, and could be used as part of your 10 Days Professional Development.
