ICoRSA Newsletter 17 December 2024

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ICoRSA
December 19, 2024

Stay informed with the latest updates and opportunities in the global research community. This edition brings exciting updates, including the Max Planck Society PostdocNet joining ICoRSA, expanding our network of researcher associations. Dive into highlights from the 2024 World Science Forum, where ICoRSA co-hosted pivotal discussions on academic sustainability and science diplomacy. Plus, learn about our involvement in the COST-Action initiative for young researchers’ career development and the success of international solidarity in securing salary improvements for postdocs at Queen’s University, Canada.

Happy reading!

Max Planck Society PostdocNet joins ICoRSA  

We are excited to announce that the Max Planck Society PostdocNet has joined ICoRSA as a member organisation! 

This dynamic network, now celebrating five years, represents postdocs across the Max Planck Society and is dedicated to enhancing the working conditions, scientific development, and career prospects of its members. 

Learn more about PostdocNet and its mission here: https://www.postdocnet.mpg.de/

ICoRSA joins YAE, EURODOC and MCAA host two side events at the 2024 World Science Forum 

Dr. Rosarii Griffin, ICoRSA Legal Secretary 

ICoRSA, Young Academy Europe, EURODOC, and the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) organized two side events at the World Science Forum in Budapest, held from November 19 to 23, 2024. The forum brought together global stakeholders to explore the role of science in addressing critical global challenges. 

1. “Engaging Researchers and Researcher Associations in Science Advice, Diplomacy, and Science for Peace” 

  • Date & Time: November 19, 14:00–15:30 CET 

  • Venue: Reading Room, Hungarian Academy of Sciences 

  • Moderator: Mostafa Moonir Shawrav, Executive Director, MCAA 

This session focused on the critical role of early-career researchers in science diplomacy, the training needs for researchers, and the importance of science diplomacy during times of conflict. Discussions emphasized how researcher associations promote cross-border scientific cooperation despite political tensions. 

2. “How to Make Academic Careers Attractive and Sustainable” 

  • Moderator: Dr. Rosarii Griffin, ICoRSA’s Legal Secretary 

This session addressed the challenges of precarious job contracts, financial instability, and inequities in academia. Panelists, including representatives from UNESCO and the European Commission, provided insights into the existing policies to promote researcher careers. 

Read more about the Declaration of the 11th World Science Forum: The Science and Policy Interface at a Time of Global Transformations: https://worldscienceforum.org/contents/draft-declaration-of-the-11th-world-science-forum-110170  

Launch of COST-Action Cross-Cutting Activity on career development for young researchers 

ICoRSA has joined the COST-Action Cross-Cutting Activity on Career Development for Young Researchers as part of its stakeholder group, providing strategic input to this important initiative. The network’s activities will be led by the Co-Chairs Nicola Dengo and Joanna Rutkowska, from EURODOC with young researchers and career advisory experts, with the aim of fostering innovative approaches to career development in Europe. 

The launch event took place on December 3 in Brussels and marked the beginning of an initiative designed to support the career development of young researchers by building a 'community of practice.' This community will leverage training and guidance based on good practices shared during Working Group (CCA) meetings and workshops. The goal is to foster balanced brain circulation, enhance career development, and analyze the transferability of these practices to countries where career development activities are still in their early stages. 

Furthermore, the initiative aims to promote, develop, and implement consistent HR strategies across Europe, offering young researchers and innovators better career opportunities and long-term prospects. 

The COST-Action will run from 2025 to November 2026.  

News about Researcher Organizations 

Researcher Solidarity Supports Salary Bargaining Success for Postdocs at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario CANADA 

In early November, the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS) coordinated an international show of solidarity from postdocs and researchers across Canada and beyond to support the postdoctoral researchers at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario during their negotiations for improved salary and employment conditions. This initiative gained widespread support, with signatures from 20 researcher organizations including ICoRSA, IrishRSA, NInTec, and ANIH, along with 144 individual endorsements. The solidarity campaign aimed to prevent a lock-out, whereby the University would have barred postdocs from their work during a collective bargaining process to address the inadequacy of the current minimum salary, which stood at under 36,000 CAD (23,700 EUR). 

After more than a year of negotiations, a significant milestone was achieved: an agreement to raise the minimum postdoctoral salary to $50,000 CAD, effective July 1, 2024.  
 
This success underscores the power of collective advocacy and community support in improving working conditions for researchers and highlights the vital role of researcher organizations in representing their communities.  
 
Learn more: https://www.queensjournal.ca/postdocs-secure-39-per-cent-salary-increase-in-a-new-tentative-agreement/ 

University College Dublin Research Staff Association report on postdoctoral experiences  

The University College Dublin Research Staff Association has published a report on the results of its survey on postdoctoral experiences at the university, highlighting significant levels of precarity faced by postdocs. 

Key findings from this study include: 

  • Living Costs: 24% of postdocs reported spending more than 70% of their salary on basic living expenses, with 52% spending between 50–70%. 

  • Contract Length and Workload: 13% of respondents were on contracts shorter than 12 months, and 35% described their workload as heavy. 

  • Gender Disparities: The survey also revealed gender-related challenges, with only 16% of female postdocs expressing satisfaction with their salaries, compared to 28% of male postdocs. 

Learn more about academic research careers in Ireland... 

In 2023, ICoRSA’s IrishRSA commissioned a report on Reducing the Precarity of Academic Research Careers in Ireland to Professor Cláudia S. Sarrico. IrishRSA Committee members’ Dr Richard Lombard Vance and Dr Andrew P. Allen were reponsible for overseeing and coordinating the drafting of the background Country Note and organising the policy interviews with relevant stakeholders. 

Read more about the report: Sarrico, C.S. (2023). Reducing the Precarity of Academic Research Careers in Ireland. Irish Research Staff Association (IrishRSA): Cork, Ireland. doi: 10.17605/OSF.IO/GT98M 

 Max Planck Society PostdocNet Celebrates Five Years with Vision-Focused AGM 

The Max Planck Society PostdocNet recently marked its fifth anniversary during the Annual General Meeting (AGM), held from 4–6 November 2024 at the Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences in Göttingen, Germany. The hybrid event brought together over 70 in-person and 30 online participants, with a program themed around "Vision", reflecting the network's dedication to shaping the future of science, the network itself, and the careers of postdocs within the Max Planck Society. 

 The meeting fostered cross-disciplinary dialogue among postdocs across the Max Planck Society’s three sections: biomedical, human sciences, and chemistry, physics, and technology. Highlights included: 

  • Keynote Speech: Delivered by Anthony Hyman, a molecular biologist from the biomedical section, with a response by Katja Krause, a research group leader from the human sciences section. 

  • Career Insights: Klaus Blaum, from the chemistry and physics section, shared his journey to becoming a Max Planck director, intertwining his research with his career development. 

  • Panel Discussions: One explored the methodological, philosophical, and ethical dimensions of AI in scientific research, while another focused-on career paths outside academia. 

  • Survey Results: Initial findings from the 2024 PostdocNet Survey were presented, with a full report expected by mid-2025. 

  • New Leadership: The meeting concluded with the election of a new steering group for PostdocNet. 

This milestone AGM underscores PostdocNet’s commitment to fostering a collaborative and forward-looking community for postdocs within the Max Planck Society. 

To learn more about the survey and the association: 

News in Research and Innovation policies 

Conference on Research Careers 2024 

The annual Conference of Research Careers organized by the European Commission was held last November 26, in Brussels. The conference gathered researchers, professionals, stakeholders' representatives and policymakers to discuss the latest policy developments on research careers. This year, the annual conference focused on the next policy agenda of the European Research Area for 2025-2027. Strengthening Research Careers, Gender Equality and Inclusiveness and Research Assessment are key areas for future policy. Professor Manuel Heitor, Chair of the High-level Group also presented the experts’ latest report ‘Align, Act, Accelerate’, which outlines 12 strategic recommendations for the upcoming Framework Programme 10 (FP10). Key highlights from the report include: 

  1. Doubling the FP10 budget to at least €220 billion, ensuring robust funding for European research and innovation. 

  1. Establishing two new councils: the Industrial Competitiveness and Technology Council and the Societal Challenges Council. 

  1. Expanding flagship programmes as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and the European Research Council (ERC) to support more researchers and groundbreaking projects. 

  1. Launching a new initiative, “Choose Europe”, a co-funding mechanism aimed at enhancing opportunities for postdoctoral researchers. This scheme will pilot in 2025, using MSCA co-funded projects hosting postdoctoral fellows. The pilot proposes extending fellowships by 2–3 years (for a total of 4–6 years) under MSCA conditions and rates, provided institutions commit to offering longer-term job opportunities. 

The morning presentations are available via the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/SZ2BvJsbTVo  

Stakeholder organisations are also reacting to the report. For example, the Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) published its response, emphasizing the importance of the recommendations for advancing European research. Read their full reaction here:  https://initiative-se.eu/2024/10/18/press-release-publication-of-the-high-level-expert-group-report-on-the-interim-evaluation-of-horizon-europe/  

ERA Platform with new contents 

The EC department for research and innovation (RTD) and European Research Executive Agency (REA) have updated with new features the ERA Platform, dedicated to the implementation of the European Research Area (ERA) and policy Agenda: 

  • The section ERA in Horizon Europe has identified 8 areas so far: Research careers; Open science; Copyright and data legislative framework; Research assessment reform; Gender equality; Research management; Universities; and Citizen engagement. Each area has its own dedicated webpage explaining how Horizon Europe supports a specific ERA policy priority, followed by a showcase of key resources and tools related to the topic.  

  • It serves as a tool for getting overview and insight to these development areas for several stakeholders, with the promotion and exploitation of project results by stakeholders in Member States and Associated Countries; 

Ongoing studies 

Participate in the ICoRSA International Postdoc Survey 

ICoRSA’s third international postdoc survey aims to explore the working conditions and social rights of researchers worldwide. This 2024 survey covers key areas such as demographics, contractual conditions, career expectations, professional development, and participation in governance. 

We invite postdoctoral researchers across all sectors and career stages to share their experiences. Your input is vital in advocating for better working conditions and social rights for researchers. 

Take the Survey and share in your networks: Click here to participate. 

Shaping the Future of Research Careers: Participate in the SECURE Survey! 

The Sustainable Careers for Researcher Empowerment (SECURE) project, in which ICoRSA is a partner organization, has launched a survey to gather feedback from researchers, as well as from professionals working at research-performing and research-funding organizations, on its flagship initiative: the European Research Career Framework. The Framework was launched by the European Commission (EC) in December 2023.  

 The Frameworks provides recommendations on all elements of the researcher career, including career progression and precarity of the career. One of SECURE project most important objective is to review the Framework, and propose revisions and improvements to the Framework to the EC. 

Therefore, this survey asks respondents to rate what they consider are the most important elements of the Framework. SECURE project will then act on these recommendations and deliver recommendations to the EC for revisions to the Framework.   

The survey takes approximately 20-30 minutes to complete and will remain open until 31 December 2024.  

Funded by the EU Horizon Europe programme, SECURE focuses on enhancing researchers’ careers. The project aimed at the development of recommendations for a common Research Career Framework, establish innovative Tenure Track-like Models, and pilot these frameworks and models across various research-related organisations.  

Your input is invaluable in shaping sustainable and empowering career pathways for researchers. Don’t miss the chance to contribute to this important initiative! 

Canadian Science Policy Centre Editorial “All is not well with Canada’s postdoctoral scholars: current challenges and solutions for researcher well-being”

ICoRSA’s member association, the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS), has contributed to the editorial series of the Canadian Science Policy Centre, authored by Henrietta “Henny” Bennett and Micah Brush. The editorial discusses the wellbeing challenges faced by postdocs in Canada, based on findings from the ongoing 5th National Postdoc Survey. 

This editorial highlight critical issues and potential solutions to improve the postdoctoral experience in Canada.  Read more: https://sciencepolicy.ca/posts/all-is-not-well-with-canadas-postdoctoral-scholars-current-challenges-and-solutions-for-researcher-well-being/ 

Report: Country participation in the EU R&I framework programmes 

A retrospective on the first three years of Horizon Europe (2021-2023) : monitoring and evaluation report 

This report compares country participation in the European Commission’s Horizon Europe and Horizon 2020: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/8925c85b-90f0-11ef-a130-01aa75ed71a1/language-en  

Opportunities in funding

The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) Cross-Cutting and Working Group funding calls 2025 

The calls aim at encouraging and supporting science-led international programmes by offering opportunities for planning and coordination, and by facilitating communication and access to facilities. 

  • Deadline: 6th January 2025 at 13:00 GMT 

Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF) open applications 

  • Scholars based in Europe are eligible to apply as Principal Investigator(s) to lead a research group comprising 2–10 members, which may include graduate students. Applicants must hold a PhD and typically have a permanent appointment at a higher education or research institution. 

  • These awards provide flexible support for the activities of the research group for a duration of up to one year, enabling scholars to pursue their research objectives effectively. 

  • Deadline: 5pm GMT (6pm CET), 10th January 2025 

  • The fellowship supports innovative researchers in exploring original ideas and proposing new solutions to real-world social problems. Eligible candidates from Europe should be within 10 years of their PhD at the time of application, with career breaks considered, and typically hold a full-time or part-time position. 

  • Deadline: 5PM (GMT), 14th February 2025. 

Horizon Europe - Teaming call 

The call promotes the establishment of new centres of excellence in widening countries, or modernising existing ones, with the help of leading institutions from elsewhere in EU or associated countries. 

  • Budget: Up to 15 M€, with similar complementary funding from national or private sources to top it up.  

  • Teaming is a two-stage call, with the deadline of first stage applications on 10 April 2025. Successful applicants in the first stage are invited to submit full applications to the second stage by 20 January 2026. 

UNESCO 

  • Call for applications  to the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea International Prize for Research in the Life Sciences 

    deadline: 31 March 2025 

  • Call for applications  to the UNESCO-Equatorial Guinea Fellowship Programme for Young Women Scientists in Africa 

    deadline: 31 March 2025 

Events

Women in Science webinar: Equality and Beyond 

The Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS) is hosting the Women in Science webinar featuring female scientists, nominated by their national societies, sharing their experiences and engaging in a meaningful discussion on equality, diversity, and inclusion in academia. 

Erna Karalija, ICoRSA’s researcher will present ICoRSA as a panelist. The event takes place on 18 and 19 December 2024, from 15:00–16:30 CET. Please register for the event. 

Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2025 

The Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW), organized annually by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), is a key platform for coordination, cooperation, and collaboration among scientific organizations involved in Arctic research. The 2025 ASSW will take place from 28–30 March in Boulder, Colorado and will feature the Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) Summit from 25–28 March 2025, under the theme “Arctic Research Planning for the Next Decade.”. 

The “Early Bird” registration is available until 31 January 2025. Reduced registration fees are also available for Indigenous participants and Early Career Researchers.