As a specialized university with an ambition to become a full university by 2028, VID pivots its endeavors, among other things, toward supporting its staff in career and competency development. One such endeavor is VID’s newly established Academy for Researchers Early in their Careers (AFTIK), which was launched earlier this month at VID’s campus in Bergen.
Being an Academy participant and an early career researcher myself, I am impressed by how well thought out and useful the program is, hence the motivation to present the program to VID’s online audience, and hopefully encourage the others to join.
The Academy aims to provide a structured career support program and an opportunity for competency development to support the future needs of early career researchers. The first lot consists of 18 participants based at VID’s different faculties and campuses, including 14 researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences, 3 from the Faculty of Social Studies, and one from the Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences. The main requirement for participation was a doctoral degree obtained within the previous 5 years. The group is represented by scholars of diverse ages, genders, and teaching or professional experience, reflecting the varied career paths in academia.
The establishment of the Academy was initiated by Professor Gunhild Odden, vice-rector for research at VID, who opened the day by inviting the participants to reflect on their academic achievements and career goals.
Odden’s welcome was followed by Professor Tove Giske’s introductory reflection on career development and assessment from a historical perspective. As an established professor based at the Faculty of Health Sciences at VID, Giske offered insights into her professional development as well as the experiences she honed as a co-lead of VID’s ‘Professor class’ (a program designed to support researchers with ambitions of becoming full professors).
Trine Powell, senior advisor at the Department of Research Administration, provided the participants with information regarding research policy changes and practical tools for career assessment and development, such as Universities Norway's (UHR) toolbox for recognition and rewards in academic careers (NOR-CAM).
Ellen Hagen, career supervisor at the University of Bergen's Career Center for Younger Researchers (UiB Ferd), inspired the participants to think about choices, dreams, opportunities, and obstacles, while the professor, distinguished lecturer, and vice-dean for research at the Faculty of Theology and Social Sciences, Ellen Vea Rosnes, advised them on how to balance research and teaching duties successfully.
The program is additionally supported by senior academics from various institutions, featuring both internal and external lecturers, along with 12 senior academics who offer individual mentoring throughout the Academy’s duration. Three more gatherings are scheduled for the academic year 2024/2025, during which the participants will get in-depth knowledge and tools in areas such as research leadership, external financing of research, and gender balance and diversity in academia.
Finally, not only has the Academy’s program helped me think of my career in a more structured way, but also to identify strengths and weaknesses in my academic portfolio. Importantly, the lecturers and co-participants have inspired and encouraged me to think practically from the very beginning, initiate new research projects, further develop existing ones, and sharpen specific skills. Having said that, I look forward to working closely with my career advisor and colleagues, as well as to the upcoming gatherings.
Ana Koncul, Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, VID Specialized University