Enhancing the Postdoc Research Culture A User-Centred Design Approach
How can we contribute to a culture that supports the development of strong identities and academic mindsets to underrepresented groups in STEM research?
Dr Charlotte Hills and Dr Jacob Barker (Department of Psychology) worked with colleagues in the Institute of Advanced Study to investigate ways to support the postdoctoral culture, using insights and ideas from the postdoc community themselves.
Longer term, the work hopes to contribute to a culture that supports the development of strong identities and academic mindsets to underrepresented groups in STEM research.
Activities
Dr Hills and Dr Barker and their team held in-depth interviews with 21 postdoctoral students, in which they discussed the challenges and the highlights of their postdoctoral experience.
In the interviews, and in a follow up focus group, they explored ideas for solutions to specific barriers faced by the community.
Outcomes
The findings of the interviews and focus groups were documented in a report. The highlights of the postdoc experience were captured and celebrated in five ‘The Power of Postdoc’ videos:
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See Josh’s video on interdisciplinarity
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See Agnieszka’s video on human connection
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See Valerie’s video on curiosity
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See Sanchari’s video on real-world impact
Next steps
The solutions proposed in the report are varied. Some high impact solutions may be considered immediate targets for intervention. These ideas are currently being progressed in a second phase of the project.
Image credit: Hollis Photography
Principal Investigator: Dr Charlotte Hills, Department of Psychology