Panel discussion: How to make it in academia

In order to support early career researchers to navigate academia, and provide insight into first-hand experiences of working in this field, four researchers at different stages in their professional life shared positive moments, challenges and advice based on their personal academic journey. Our panellists included
Prof Chantal Martin-Soelch, Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Fribourg
Dr Geoffrey Dierckxsens, Head of the Interdisciplinary Research Lab for Bioethics at the Czech Academy of Sciences
Dr Eva Svatoňová, Assistant Professor at Jan Evangelista Purkyne University
Dr Marie Přibylová, Vice-chair of the Czech Association of Doctoral Researchers
While the life of a researcher in academia was perceived to offer rich opportunities for being creative as well as learning and teaching about topics that align with personal interests, all panellists spoke openly about difficult experiences they had faced, such as the rejection of job applications or research proposals, balancing work and family life or completing a PhD when little support was available. The varied and honest accounts of all panellists conveyed shared struggles but also a sense of hopefulness and confidence suggesting that early career researchers were not alone when confronted with isolation or rejection. Lived experience of building networks and relationships with other researchers, seeking mentors and participating in training illustrated how obstacles and their effects could be overcome. The panel was moderated by TIMED Principal Investigator Dr Vanda Černohorská, Postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Philosophy, Czech Academy of Sciences.
The panel discussion was part of the Interdisciplinarity in DigiTech Research Spring School (24-26 April 2024, Prague), organised by the Institute of Philosophy, Czech Academy of Sciences, as part of the research project TIMED and funded by CHANSE.
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