MCAA joins the MSCA workshops

by Andreas PAPADOPOULOS

 

The MCAA will join researchers and university representatives from across Europe at the MSCA conference to discuss the European Universities Initiative and supervision of researchers in MSCA and beyond.

On 29 September 2020, the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA) will participate in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Conference organised by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the European Commission. The conference will take place under the auspices of the German Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Taking an online format, the conference will feature several interactive elements, including the MSCA Falling Walls Lab, Q&A sessions, workshops and plenary discussions.

 

Synergies in European higher education

During the first half of the conference, a high-level panel will discuss potential synergies between the MSCA and the European Universities Initiative. As part of its ambition to strengthen partnerships between higher education institutions across the EU, the European Universities Initiative encourages the emergence of 'European Universities' which will enable students to obtain a degree by combining studies in several EU countries.

 

The challenges of supervision

In the second half of the conference, the MCAA will participate in two of four virtual workshops on the challenges faced by academic supervisors.

The demands on doctoral students and postdocs is growing. Ground-breaking research, constant hunt for funding, targeted dissemination of results, competitive career development – all are today part and parcel of an academic career. In line with the increasing complexity of modern-day European doctoral training, the demands on the supervisors of these young researchers have also changed significantly.

To address this issue, the MCAA will organise a workshop on ‘Supervision of early-stage researchers in the MSCA and beyond’. The workshop will be chaired by MCAA Chair Mostafa Moonir Shawrav. A second workshop, with participation of MCAA Vice Chair Fernanda Bajanca will address the supervision of experienced researchers.

The last two workshops will focus on supervision in academic and non-academic organisations in the MSCA and beyond. The four workshops’ findings are expected to result in recommendations for the future development of supervision in general and MSCA supervision in particular.

 

Stéphanie Gauttier, Chair of Policy working group, and Scott Harrison, Chair of German Chapter, will also be rapporteur of the two sessions.