National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), a celebration of the outstanding research contributions made by fellows across the globe, starts Sept. 15 with a reception at the University Club. Postdocs, their families, and faculty mentors are invited to this event to build community and cross-disciplinary connections over refreshments. The School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (SGSPA) will host the reception and has organized a series of events for fellows.

NPAW extends through the week of Sept. 18 to 22 and includes an orientation, research showcase, and session covering Mitacs opportunities for postdocs.

“Queen’s offers a dynamic and inspiring space for postdoctoral research,” says Fahim Quadir, Vice-Provost and Dean of the SGSPA. “Our postdoctoral fellows are engaged in pioneering research that tackles pressing global challenges, and the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, along with the entire Queen’s community, takes pride in supporting their groundbreaking endeavours.”

A new postdoc-specific Certificate in Professional Development will also launch during NPAW. This program, developed by the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and the Human Resources Organizational Development & Learning team, will help fellows prepare for a diverse range of career options. Facilitated workshops and networking lunches offer a supportive environment for postdocs to grow their leadership capacity and develop other essential skills in project management, grant writing, media relations, I-EDIAA, lab management, and more. Participants will build interdisciplinary connections and hear from Queen’s mentors in an informal lunch setting in which other pertinent topics can be discussed. Alongside the program-specific events, fellows are encouraged to explore the many other professional and academic offerings available through the SGSPA and campus partners.

To find out more about postdoctoral research at Queen’s, check out the SGSPA’s spotlights and stay tuned for more information about upcoming showcases, which will be posted on the SGSPA site.