The Diversity in Graphene initiative aims to create a collaborative research environment where everybody feels welcome, without any prejudice. The initiative holds two annual meetings, a career day and a meeting at the Graphene Week conference.
Many early-career researchers start thinking about career options after a PhD or postdoctoral position. While academia is one possible path, many scientists build successful careers beyond academia in industry, startups, consulting, policy, and other sectors. This workshop explores different career paths after a PhD. Researchers who have transitioned from academia to industry and other professional environments will share their experiences. Each speaker will give a short presentation about their career transition from academia, followed by a panel discussion and audience questions. The event is mainly aimed at PhD students and postdoctoral researchers who want to learn more about non-academic careers for researchers and explore possible career directions outside academia. The workshop also aims to highlight women in science and technology from our network who are building impactful careers in a range of fields.
As AI and generative AI tools rapidly enter the world of academia, understanding how to use them effectively has become essential. This digital workshop offers an introduction to the benefits and challenges of integrating AI into research workflows. Aimed at students and early-career researchers, the session will highlight applications in publishing, communication, productivity, and responsible research practices. Speakers from the Institute of Physics Publishing, The Science Talk, CeADAR and the Graphene Flagship will share practical guidance and reflections. Join us on the 27 January 2026 at 13 (CET).
Equity, Inclusion & Diversity (EID) is not just a catch phrase, having a diverse and inclusive work environment encourages creativity, collaboration and effectiveness. This session explored the importance of diversity in research institutions and the benefits and challenges associated with creating an inclusive environment. Speakers explored their experiences and was followed by an open discussion on challenges faced and mechanisms for creating inclusive environments.