Description

Dr Rebecca Braun (German Studies, DELC) was invited to contribute to the opening plenary panel at this year's Vitae Research Staff conference in Birmingham on 7 November, which was given the theme of 'Inspired Futures'. Along with Tim Daffron, Professor of Biotechnology and Director of Knowledge Transfer at the University of Birmingham, and Dr Emma Hennessey, Head of the Chief Scientific Advisor's Team at DEFRA, Rebecca helped c.120 early career researchers from across all disciplines explore their academic and non-academic career options. Drawing on the image of the 18th century Baron von Muenchhausen, who reputedly pulled himself out of a swamp by his own hair, Rebecca's talk showed how leadership skills in academia start with being able to lead yourself through the difficulties of the early career stage. Strong CVs are almost always accompanied by failures and set-backs - expecting, and learning from, these is key to future successes.

Vitae is supported by RCUK and provides help and resources for all researchers, but with a special emphasis on those who are at the post-doctoral stage and on fixed-term contracts. More information about the annual conference, and Vitate's activities more generally, can be found here: http://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy-practice/13945-596541/Vitae-Research-Staff-Conference-2013-Inspired-Futures.html