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International fellows tell us why their experience at Warwick is so important

Rutherford slideshow

On 25 October three Rutherford Strategic International Fellows presented their research at a showcase event hosted by the Institute of Advanced Study (IAS). The showcase was a celebration of the IAS’s funding schemes and gave the opportunity for current fellows to meet other members of the academic and administrative community.

The fellows each gave a presentation on their experience at Warwick and explained why they had found the Rutherford Strategic International Fellowship so valuable. Learning to communicate their research to a range of audiences is a vital skill for academics who want their work to have an impact on policymakers and the public. This event gave the early career researchers a platform to further develop their communication skills and explain their research to staff and students from a range of disciplines.

rutherford_1_web.jpgOne of the presentations was given by Dr Parastou Saberi, a Rutherford fellow hosted by Professor Stuart Elden in Politics and International Studies (PAIS). Dr Saberi is a postdoctoral researcher at the Brussels Centre for Urban Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and has a multi-disciplinary background in urban and political geography, security studies, sociology, and architecture. Dr Saberi said;

This Fellowship has given me a great opportunity to benefit from the mentorship of Professor Elden and Professor Coaffee within Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at Warwick.

I have been able to conduct fieldwork in Birmingham and London to further my current research project and have enjoyed being a part of the vibrant International Politics and Security cluster in PAIS.”

Professor Elden added;

PAIS is delighted to support Dr Saberi’s fellowship at Warwick. Her research agenda fits exceptionally well with our department, and helps to develop its international collaborations and reputation. We recognise the importance of supporting Early Career Researchers in their career progression and have robust organisational structures and the necessary facilities to achieve this. Dr Saberi’s research on urban issues, territory and radicalisation connects well with much of the current research conducted in PAIS. She will discuss her work with colleagues while at Warwick, both in a seminar and other events, as well as informally. She is also organising a workshop for PhD students on the transition to post-doctoral work.”

The IAS, in partnership with International Strategy & Relations (ISR), established the Rutherford Strategic International Fellowships to provide a new mechanism to enhance Warwick’s international partnerships and contribute to their future sustainability. Twelve early career researchers from four strategic international partner institutions were awarded three month fellowships at Warwick to catalyse long-term interdisciplinary collaborations and undertake training activities to support their career development.

Boursier

Dr Axel Boursier, graduate of the University of Cergy-Pontoise and a Rutherford Fellow highlighted why the fellowship was so important;

This fellowship has been very helpful to further develop my research expertise. It has offered me the opportunity to increase my scientific network and start new collaborations, while at the same time allowing me to boost my scientific approach by learning about the methodologies used by Warwick's researchers”.

This was also an opportunity to welcome the second cohort of WIRL-COFUND fellows to Warwick and to celebrate a number of new fellowship programmes which are currently open for applications, including the Fernandes Fellowships which will allow researchers from across Europe to spend extended periods at Warwick to develop international research collaborations.