Chairman’s Letter

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of being part of a dynamic, inspiring and dedicated team of volunteers who make up the core of the MCAA leadership, including Board Members, Chapter Chairs, Working Group Chairs, and Ordinary Members who contribute to our organisation’s activities.

During this time, I have taken on countless roles. I have travelled to conferences to serve as ambassador for MCAA. I have sat with policymakers to advocate for the benefit of researchers and their careers. I have led meetings to help define the roadmap for MCAA. I have met with partners to negotiate their support for MCAA. And I have met with many of our members at various events.

Hardly a day goes by when I don’t receive an email or another message about something related to MCAA. Being Chair of MCAA Executive Committee is an honour and a privilege, but it’s also a lot of work.

But it is work that I am still proud to do because I continue to see the value in our organisation – to give researchers around the globe, regardless of nationality, discipline or beliefs, a community which defines their shared experience as a mobile researcher.

Mobility defines Marie Curie alumni. Whether we move to a new country or a new field of research, or both, the experience of leaving our comfort zone can lead to frustration, loneliness and vulnerability. But the experience as mobile researchers changes us and opens our minds to perspectives we never would have experienced if we had never taken the risk.

I hope that our accomplishments over the past year help to make MCAA a lasting organisation which brings researchers together and gives us a platform for outreach, advocacy and success amongst our members.

This edition of IRRADIUM is just a glimpse of some of the things our members, and our association, are doing. I hope you can be inspired by these stories, and that you have the opportunity to share your own with our global community.

I can think of no better way to close this message than with the words of Marie Skłodowska-Curie herself:

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood”.

Matthew DiFranco
MCAA Chair