Newsletter
Dear MCAA Members,
It has already been a year since the current Board began its mandate: what a journey it has been so far, and we are now gearing up for the second half! Over the past year, we have continuously refined the MCAA strategy to strengthen its role as a dynamic network of researchers and professionals, advocating for excellence in research and career development opportunities across Europe and beyond. None of this would have been possible without our fantastic Secretariat, also known as the Operational Team, which turns strategy into action. We take the opportunity to simply ‘sound [our deepest gratitude to the OpTeam] over the roofs of the world’.
In this newsletter, we are delighted to highlight a few major milestones.
Hakim Ferria
2025 Annual Conference & General Assembly
Our flagship event, the Annual Conference and General Assembly, was held in Kraków, Poland, on 21–22 March 2025. The event gathered hundreds of Members and non- Members, onsite and online, offering a stage for engaging discussions, knowledge- sharing, and networking. Under the theme ‘Research and Innovation in a Rapidly Evolving World’, the conference featured satellite events, inspiring keynotes and panel discussions, and workshops. Have a look at the agenda.
For instance, the panellists of the high- level plenary session ‘Europe's Future: Strengthening Research, Innovation, and Scientific Leadership’ discussed key reports shaping Europe's Research & Innovation (R&I) landscape, focusing on strengthening fundamental research, fostering researcher mobility, and aligning R&I with economic resilience to ensure Europe remains a global leader in innovation.
Insights on the MSCA Supervision Guidelines
Exciting news from the Annual Conference: the newly revised MSCA Supervision Guidelines have been officially introduced. The document offers a comprehensive framework to enhance the researcher- supervisor relationship and emphasises best practices in mentorship, career development, and mental health.
At the MCAA, we actively participated in the discussions because we believe in a research environment where everyone can (and must) thrive. These guidelines align with our vision for a more supportive research environment. We encourage both supervisors and researchers to engage with these recommendations, fostering a culture of constructive feedback, open communication, and mutual respect. These guidelines are not just for supervisors but also for supervised researchers, with equal consideration for both, ensuring both perspectives are equally valued. Check them out, share them widely, and be part of the change!
Board members at the closing of the MCAA Annual Conference and General Assembly 2025 in Krakow.
Launching the MCAA Academy Pilot Mentoring Programme
Other exciting news from the MCAA Academy! We are thrilled to announce the launch of a new initiative: the MCAA Academy ‘Careers in the Public Sector’ pilot mentoring programme. So, what’s it all about? It’s a mentoring programme within the MCAA Academy platform through which you can learn, grow, and connect with professionals working in the public sector, in fields such as policy, education, and healthcare. How?
Through training and mentorship, it offers a comprehensive and flexible learning experience, enabling mentees to develop the skills they need when they need them. Want to be part of it? Whether as a mentor or a mentee, this is your chance to gain insights and share experiences.
A Chinese proverb says, “Teachers can open the door, but you must enter it yourself”.
Here is the door: https://www.academy. mariecuriealumni.eu/
Celebrating one year of PEP-CV
Over the past year, the MCAA has actively contributed to research assessment reform through its involvement in the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), ensuring our Members' voices shape future R&I frameworks.
This month, we celebrate the first anniversary of our Peer Exchange Platform for Narrative-style CVs (PEP-CV). This initiative helps professionals in R&I engage in peer mentoring to better showcase diverse experiences, achievements, and career paths in narrative-style CVs. PEP-CV has now partnered with ORCID, bringing more value to researchers. We invite you all to engage with this initiative and promote its integration into research evaluation worldwide!
Last but not least: the MSCA matchmaking platform… Connecting the dots!
On 27 November 2024, the MSCA National Contact Points (NCPs) met the MSCA Unit in Brussels and online. MCAA representatives participated in discussions exploring potential collaborations between the MCAA and NCPs. Following the event, the matchmaking process began, with MCAA Chapter and Working Group Chairs encouraged to connect with their NCPs through a dedicated portal—and guess what? The portal is still open: https://msca.b2match.io/
We take the opportunity to simply ‘sound [our deepest gratitude to all our Members] over the roofs of the world’. Thank you for being part of this journey. Your engagement, ideas, and initiatives drive the success of the MCAA, and we are excited about what we can achieve together in the year ahead.
Stay tuned! The coming months will bring more opportunities for engagement. We remain dedicated to developing the Association and enhancing the support we provide to our Members.
On behalf of the MCAA Board,
Hakim Ferria
LinkedIn
MCAA Board Member
hakim.ferria@mariecuriealumni.eu
Message from the Board - April 2025