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ECN Reflections from PSA23 in Liverpool

PSA Early Career Network 25 April 2023

 

 

The Political Studies Association Early Career Network Committee (PSA ECN) was thrilled to attend the recent Political Studies Association Conference in Liverpool. As early career researchers ourselves, we know how essential conferences like this can be for developing our careers and connecting with peers in the field.

 

One of the highlights of the conference was the free PSA23 Pre-Conference Early Career Day, which we organized to provide early career researchers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in academia. The workshop day included sessions on topics such as publishing, grant writing, and navigating the job market. There were also several social activities that allowed early career researchers to network and connect with their peers - a great chance to meet people and make friends before the main conference began. We were delighted to see such a great turnout and to receive positive feedback from participants who found the day extremely valuable. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all of the wonderful scholars who joined us for this day to share their experience and advice with us.

ECN Chair Taylor Borowetz opening the Pre-Conference Early Career Day
ECN Communications Officer Caroline Leicht gets ready to chair a roundtable discussion on Post-PhD Life at the Pre-Conference ECN Day
ECN EDI Officer Katie Pruszynski delivers a workshop on knowledge exchange and impact at the Pre-Conference Early Career Day
Attendees of the Pre-Conference Early Career Day network and chat during one of the coffee breaks
ECN Chair Taylor Borowetz and PSA CEO Michelle Doyle Wildman give closing remarks at the Pre-Conference Early Career Day

The PSA Conference itself was a fantastic opportunity for us to connect with other scholars and to learn about the latest research in political science. As members of the PSA ECN Committee, we were particularly excited to attend panels featuring the excellent research from early career colleagues. Once again, we hosted a very successful speed mentoring session - with the support of some excellent experienced colleagues who offered tailored advice to those who attended. We are very grateful to the generous colleagues who joined us for this session as speed mentors and would like to say a big thank you to them!

ECN Chair Taylor Borowetz gives a speech at the PSA Annual Drinks Reception
ECN Speed Mentoring
ECN Speed Mentoring
ECN Speed Mentoring
ECN Speed Mentoring
ECN Speed Mentoring
ECN Speed Mentoring

One of the most rewarding aspects of attending conferences like this is the opportunity to engage with scholars from different backgrounds and perspectives. The PSA Conference brought together a diverse range of scholars, researchers, and practitioners, and we were able to learn about different approaches to politics and to gain new insights into our own research.

 

We are particularly pleased to have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our members about the events we hosted as part of the PSA Conference, including our Pre-Conference Day. Below is a quote from Matt Hepplewhite, PhD candidate at the University of Oxford and member of the ECN: 

I personally attended the CV workshop, the grants discussion, and the mentors session, and I can confirm that they were all superb. More broadly, the other attendees I spoke to appreciated the opportunity to ask academics - both senior and junior - about life as an academic. Many also highlighted the fantastic opportunities for networking that the events provided. The people I spoke to very much wanted to pass on their immense thanks to both the ECN committee for organising the events and to the academics who took the time to participate and pass on their knowledge, tips, advice, etc.
Matt Hepplewhite, ECN member

Overall, we were thrilled to attend the PSA Conference and to play a role in supporting early career researchers. We believe that events like this are incredibly important for the future of political science, and we are already looking forward to next year's conference in Glasgow!