Post-Doctoral Showcase: Fostering Collaboration and Career Growth

By Dr Meredith Burke

On January 30 2025, the Institute of Aquaculture hosted its inaugural Post-Doctoral Showcase, an event designed to highlight the diverse skills and expertise within our postdoctoral community. This initiative aimed to connect postdocs with postgraduate students, early-career researchers, and senior colleagues, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across disciplines.

Postdocs from various research areas presented their work, emphasising not only their scientific contributions but also the valuable technical and soft skills they bring to the institute. From advanced statistical analysis to molecular techniques, the event uncovered hidden expertise that could drive interdisciplinary projects and future collaborations.

A key takeaway was the importance of creating an inclusive research culture, where knowledge-sharing and collaboration are actively encouraged. Many attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about their colleagues’ work, and this positive feedback has reinforced the value of such events, with plans to expand this initiative to the broader faculty in the future. Looking ahead, the Institute is organising two follow-up events as part of its Careers Day. These will focus on academic progression as well as transitioning into industry, equipping postdocs with the knowledge and connections needed for their next career steps.

By bringing together researchers at different stages of their careers, these events are strengthening our academic community and ensuring that the wealth of expertise within the institute is recognised and utilised. We look forward to seeing these initiatives grow and to furthering collaboration within and beyond the Institute of Aquaculture.

Theme by the University of Stirling