Young researchers, shared ideas, European connection
The 2nd Guild Young Researchers Workshop
Raymond Hyma, Postgraduate Fellow in the Department of Politics and International Studies, and Ahmad Valikhani, PhD student in Health Sciences at Warwick Medical School
, represented Warwick at the second edition of The Guild Young Researchers Workshop, hosted by Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca on 5-6 November 2026.
The workshop brought together 33 doctoral students and early-career researchers from seven member universities of The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities: Bologna, Tübingen, Warwick, Ljubljana, Luxembourg, Jagiellonian and UBB. Professor George Christou, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Europe, also attended and delivered a lecture on responsible internationalisation.
Over two days, participants engaged in discussions on institutional strategies and funding opportunities for early-career researchers. Sessions covered topics including responsible internationalisation, research security, open science, science diplomacy, AI governance and agency, and European funding schemes.
The workshop provided an interactive platform for dialogue between researchers and university leaders, combining individual experiences with institutional perspectives. Participants left Cluj with practical insights to support their research projects and valuable professional connections from across Europe.
Having spent four years doing my PhD research and navigating the challenges associated with it, I was particularly pleased to be invited to attend The Guild Young Researchers Workshop in Nov 2026.
During the workshop, I gained a better understanding of the challenges surrounding research security, particularly in balancing research internationalisation with the principles of open science. I also learned more about the relationship between science and diplomacy, and how research can contribute to diplomatic efforts and vice versa. However, one of the most useful aspects of the workshop for me was learning about funding opportunities and schemes available to early-career researchers in the EU. This gave me the chance to explore potential career pathways and consider opportunities beyond completing my doctoral studies. I also enjoyed listening to presentations by fellow researchers from universities across Europe, representing a wide range of academic disciplines and research interests.
Beyond the academic programme, I had the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Cluj-Napoca, explore its history and experience Romanian culture and hospitality.
Last but certainly not least, the workshop provided a wonderful opportunity to make friends and connect with researchers from different European countries. We shared our experiences of studying and working at our respective universities, discussed the differences between our academic environments and countries, and explored the city together.
Overall, it was an educational and unforgettable experience, both academically and personally. I am very grateful to the organisers of The Guild at UBB for making this opportunity possible and for bringing together such an interesting and diverse group of young researchers.
Ahmad Valikhani, PhD student in Health Sciences at Warwick Medical School