Seminar on Nurturing Young Researchers in the Nordics

Unlocking the Future: Nurturing and Supporting New Researchers in Uncertain Times

How do we equip new researchers for uncertain times? As the world faces a climate crisis, geopolitical volatility, increasing social and economic polarisation, and new disruptive technologies, the nurturing and development of new generation researchers that will help society to negotiate the future has never been more important. Yet, the environment in which new researchers are starting their careers is also under pressure, with funding cuts, policy changes, political scrutiny and precarious employment. This talk draws on over 25 years’ experience of research leadership and working with new scholars to consider how a supportive research ecosystem for new researchers not only can be sustained, but also refashioned to equip and empower new researchers with the skills and capacities they will need to meet evolving challenges and expectations and to realise their potential to make a difference. It will present lessons for university leaders, senior academics, learned societies, funding bodies and early career researchers themselves.

For detailed information about the seminar, see the Letten Prize website.

Programme:

08:15- 08:45 | Breakfast and mingling session

08:45 – 08:55 | Welcome and Opening Remarks

Speakers: Chair of the Letten Prize Board and Academic Director of the Holberg Prize

Brief overview of seminar objectives and the significance of nurturing young researchers.

08:55 – 09:00 | Digital greeting from the 2023 Letten Prize laureate, Paula Moraga

09:00 – 09:45 | Keynote Lecture: Unlocking the Future: Nurturing and Supporting New Researchers in Uncertain Times

Speaker: Michael Woods

09:45 – 10:30 | Panel Discussion

Moderator: Prof, Bjørn Enge Bertelsen, Academic Director of the Holberg Prize

Panelists: Keynote speaker Michael Woods, Cathrine Thorleifsson and John-Andrew McNeish.

Focus: Reflections on the keynote, personal experiences, and advancing research in the region, as well as promoting capacity-building and excellent research practices in Norway

10:30 – 10:45 | Audience Q&A

Open floor for participant questions to the keynote and panelists.

10:45 – 11:00 | Closing Remarks

Speakers: Chair of the Holberg board, Jørgen Sejerstedt and a representative from the Letten Prize.

11:00 – 12:00 | Networking lunch