Newsletter
Looking back on a year of progress, the MCAA UK Chapter has achieved key engagement and community-building milestones. Discover our successes and plans for the future in this reflection piece from the Chair.
It is hard to believe that an entire year has passed since I became Chair of the United Kingdom Chapter of the MCAA. Time has flown by, but what stands out the most is the progress we have made together. I would like to reflect on our collective achievements and share our goals for the coming year.
Bionote
Quentin Loisel is an MSCA PhD fellow at Glasgow Caledonian University and serves as the MCAA UK Chapter Chair. He is part of the Health CASCADE project, which aims to build trust in co-creation. Quentin is developing technologies to support this complex process grounded in collective intelligence, democracy, and evidence-based practices. His work bridges technology and the fundamental human dimension within the values of the co-creation. With the recent rise of generative artificial intelligence, he actively explores its potential for enhancing cognition, collaboration, and science. With technology's growing influence in our society, Quentin seeks to foster cooperation among societal actors to make the most of future technology.
Building Engagement and Community
This past year, we had two main priorities: raising awareness among eligible members and enhancing engagement within our chapter. Our strategy was clear—improve communication, foster social connections, and establish local contacts to support new members. We also committed to launching a monthly newsletter to better inform members about the MCAA’s mission, resources, and upcoming events. The focus was on highimpact, low-cost initiatives to build a stronger, more connected community. I'm thrilled to say that these efforts have borne fruit.
Key Accomplishments of the Past Year
One of our standout successes has been the launch of our monthly newsletter, which now boasts eleven issues and over 120 subscribers! This has proven invaluable for boosting engagement and keeping our members informed.
To better support those frequently on the move, we launched the City Ambassador Program, now active in six cities with seven ambassadors. This initiative has helped connect our members across the UK, easing transitions and fostering a more robust network. We also hosted social events in Glasgow and London, further strengthening community ties.
On a broader scale, we established partnerships with organisations like UKRO and EURAXESS UK to raise awareness and welcome new members. Significant collaboration with the UKRI team overseeing the Guarantee funding scheme has also allowed us to bring Guarantee-funded fellows into our fold as Friends of our Chapter, enriching our diversity and network.
One of the most exciting highlights was the inaugural Early Career Researcher (ECR) Summer Day at Brunel University London. This event attracted over 65 participants and featured interactive sessions on artificial intelligence, public speaking, career development, and a panel discussion on postPhD career paths. The positive feedback we received has been overwhelming, and I am proud of what we’ve accomplished.
The Challenges We Face
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. With over 780 members, the number of active participants in chapter activities is still limited. Technical issues with our website have also made it harder to reach our full potential in terms of member engagement. I encourage everyone to check their notification settings on the MCAA website to stay updated and sign up for our newsletter via our Linktree.
Setting New Goals for the Coming Year
Looking ahead, we have consulted with our members to understand what has worked and where we need to improve. The feedback has been clear—those who attend our events love them and want more, but accessibility remains an issue due to time and location constraints.
We see great potential in organising more workshops and networking opportunities, particularly those focusing on career development. However, mobilising a community as diverse as ours—spanning various research fields and career stages— remains a challenge.
Regarding communication, those in the loop are satisfied with our efforts, but we recognise the need for more innovative approaches that respect GDPR while improving our outreach.
As the Chair, I am thrilled with our members' positive feedback. Our efforts last year brought us closer to our objectives, while the experience we gained improved our understanding of our community's needs. Our members' consultation shows that we need to pursue our aim of reaching and engaging our community while developing innovative adapted activities.
As always, the strength of our chapter lies in its members, and I am calling on those of you who want to take a more active role to step up. Joining the leadership team is an excellent opportunity to expand your network, develop your leadership skills, and prepare for future roles, including that of Chair! If you're interested in taking on a more active role or have ideas for new initiatives, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Looking Forward Together
Finally, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has actively participated in our chapter's activities this past year—whether by organising or attending events. Together, we have built something special, and I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you in the year ahead.
Let’s make this another year of growth and success for the UK Chapter!
Quentin Loisel
Chair of the MCAA United Kingdom Chapter
united-kingdom.chapter@mariecuriealumni.eu
@q5loisel