Networking Workshop for Early and Mid-Career Women in Regional Studies and Regional Science

Wednesday 24th October 2018, Brighton/ Falmer campus, UK

As they complete their doctoral studies, all Early Career Scholars face decisions including whether or not to stay in academia. This post PhD period can also include challenges and uncertainties around roles, locations, contracts and funding. This time of life also frequently coincides with personal change such as relationship change, family planning, buying of first homes, moving abroad and increased levels of travel. Mid-Career Scholars face new challenges in their academic career when starting a faculty position, e.g. a lectureship or an assistant professorship. In this period each scholar must find strategies to balance the different responsibilities in teaching, administration and research. Academics in this transition often make unconscious decisions about their style of leadership or teaching. An important element in dealing with these uncertainties and in taking conscious decisions is access to a strong network, the chance to plan and discuss career opportunities and the opportunity to discuss these issues with role models, mentors and coaches.

For this reason, the Regional Studies Association supports the development of a network specifically designed for female early and mid-career researchers in the fields of regional studies and regional science. The aim is to provide a platform for network building and to offer conversations with established female researchers in an informal setting. By funding the workshop, the RSA hopes to give impetus to growing a strong network and a series of related events. On the one hand it is hoped that these will enhance the RSA’s institutional efforts to support equality and diversity in the field and on the other hand, it is hoped that individuals will benefit from contacts made at the network events and also from the support and opportunities for career advice and conversations that will be available.

This event is financially supported by the RSA and open free of charge to RSA members and non-members. 　There are a maximum of 25 places available which will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. Application deadline is31^st August 2018. More details and the link to register can be found at http://www.regionalstudies.org/conferences/conference/networking-workshop-EC2018

This networking event is organised as a pre-event to the 2018 Student and Early Career Conference http://www.regionalstudies.org/conferences/conference/student-and-ec-2018 which will be held 25th -26th October at the University of Sussex. The abstract submission deadline for this conference is 2^nd August 2018.Attendance of the RSA Student and EC Conference is not a requirement to join the networking event on 24^thOctober 2018.