Postdoc Appreciation Week

Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025

Event Registration

Join us for Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025 as we explore how can postdocs move beyond day-to-day survival and actively shape their future, explore the power of self-leadership with practical tools, inspiring stories, and a space to reflect on your journey so far.

UK NPAW 2025 Event

From Surviving to Thriving: Planning Your Future

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Monday 15th September 2025, 10:30 am

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Virtual Event (Zoom)

Join us for to explore the power of self-leadership. Our expert speaker will share strategies for taking control of your development, followed by a panel discussion with former postdocs who have carved diverse career paths. Come celebrate your journey and gain tools for tackling what’s next. Expect inspiration, honest insights, and a dash of comic relief!

Event Agenda

10:30 AM – 10:40 AMWelcome & Introduction

10:40 AM – 10:55 AMBioscience: The Musical

10:55 AM – 11:25 AMMasterclass

11:25 AM – 12:25 PMPanelist Introductions, Facilitated Discussion & Q&A

12:30 PM Event Closure

Please note: the agenda is a rough guide only and any unanswered questions will be addressed in the UK NPAW website after the event.

Bioscience: The Musical

The Musical is a spin-off event from the team behind Bioscience: The Musical, a new science outreach project which aims to communicate scientific research and improve trust in science in an engaging, memorable and fun way, using musical theatre and performance, inspired by the musical Six. The Musical aims to convey the wide range of research being undertaken across the UK by postdoctoral researchers, showcase the diversity of skills and expertise of UK postdocs, and the motivations behind and impacts of their research. Additionally, the show portrays some of the key challenges postdoctoral researchers face in their daily work in a show guaranteed to make you laugh and learn!

Masterclass Speaker

Chris Russell

Chris draws on his research background to help academics worldwide enhance their projects, spark creativity, and make meaningful impact. He designs and delivers practical and engaging training that inspires researchers to thrive both within and beyond academia.

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Panelists

Gavin Buckingham

Gavin Buckingham is a cognitive psychologist at the University of Exeter. He studies how we interact with the world through our hands, co-leads research networks, and supports early-career academics through workshops and his blog, Making it as an academic.

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John Whittaker

John is Engineering Director at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, with over 30 years' experience in electron microscopy and technical leadership. He played a key role in developing the NGI and now leads engineering delivery with industry and SMEs.

Dr Steve Joy

Dr Steve Joy is Head of the Postdoc Academy at the University of Cambridge and Training Lead for the Future Leaders Fellows Development Network. Alongside his academic career, he brings a rich mix of experience—from teaching and writing to leadership and consultancy.

Dr Vani Naik

Dr Vani Naik supports researchers across three roles: as a Researcher Developer at Edinburgh Napier, a Careers Adviser at the University of Oxford, and a consultant. With a background in industry and global teaching, she champions self-led, fulfilling career paths.

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FAQ’s

How do I access the interactive online event?

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Event Organised by

UK NPAW

A volunteer group of postdocs/ex-postdocs/researcher developers across institutions of UK/ROI. We organise the annual online and free Postdoc Appreciation Week flagship event, that aims to uplift our postdocs whilst also providing useful information for the community.

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