Newsletter
MCAA working group and chapter chairs are elected every two years. In this article, the newly elected Communication Working Group Chair, Ashish Avasthi, introduces himself to the MCAA community.
Why did you decide to run as Chair of the Communication Working Group?
Honestly, it all happened very organicallythrough the experience in the group.Furthermore, Marie Skłodowska-Curiefellowship along with the MCAA has not onlyhelped me shape my career but also helpedme broaden my skill set and network. So, youcan also call it my way of contributing backto the MCAA albeit communication being myinterest as well. I have been involved with thegroup and the lines the group was proceedingwith was coherent with my vision for thegroup. I wanted to keep up the good workprevious chairs had done and see where thisvision leads me. Moreover, the promise ofcontinued support from Ruben, Nicoleta, andGian Maria made the decision quite easy.
Ashish Avasthi,
a personal account
I, Ashish Avasthi, am the newly elected chair of Comms WG. I got the Marie Sklodowska-Curie fellowship 6 years ago. After completing my PhD in Nanomedicine from Bionand, Malaga, Spain, I kept working in cancer research at IBIMA in Malaga. I have been involved with MCAA since 2017 wearing multiple hats that includes being an active member of the Communication working group. Despite having various interests, I like to distribute my time among science, sports, traveling as well as writing. I have represented MCAA on several platforms such as the Youth Idea Labs, EU Sports and Innovation Summit 2023, ReMO events, to name a few.
What will be the objectives of the WG under your tenure?
Besides continuing the legacy of the “Around the World” webinar series, I wish to open the group a bit more. Open in the sense that the group should become a common intersection for all the existing working groups. Currently, I observed that people from country Y might not have any idea what Chapter X (of Country X) is working on or what problems they are facing. We might be able to help them or learn from them. So, I wish to start this cross talk among different chapters by being a mediator. In addition, I wish to include some in-person meetings wherein there will be sessions on communication, policymaking, and career development, etc. Certainly, there would be more objectives and modifications to current ones based on continuous feedback from the group members.
How will you cooperate with other chapters and working groups?
If the goal of Comms WG is to become the intersection point, then efforts would be needed from both sides. This could start by inviting them to the meetings and exchanging information about events happening around the world and disseminating them. We would also be continuing in supporting the groups in disseminating their events on Twitter. There will also be speakers invited in collaboration with the groups to increase the outreach. I would like the rest of the Chapters and WGs to know that we are here to listen as well, just reach out.
What are your plans for the development of the WG? Do you already have plans for events and activities? Can you tell us some?
The plan is to increase the number of actively contributing members and outreach of the group. I do have some activities planned, but you will have to join the Comms group to know more about them.
What would you say to members who are considering joining the Working Group?
I would let them know of the fact that the fellowship they received is much more rewarding than they believed, as it opens a lot of avenues for you, only if you are willing to utilize it properly. Improving your communication skills is one of those avenues, and this group helps to do that. Since communication is a common denominator for everyone, irrespective of their fields, becoming skilled at it has become a vital part of life in today’s era.
So, I urge everyone to join the group. Keep in mind, volunteering is not mandatory to attend the meetings but, in my view, doing something is the best way to learn something new. Believe me, I know what it feels like to sit in the meeting unaware of what is going on and feeling demotivated, but trust me, attend 2-3 consecutive meetings, and you will be on board with everything that goes around in no time.
I look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
Ashish Avasthi
Chair of the Communication Working Group
communication@mariecuriealumni.eu