Upcoming Events & Initiatives
CAPS ACPP Virtual Office Hours - First Friday of every month
- Virtual office hours with CAPS/ACPP!
- Open invitation for CAPS/ACPP members to meet with the CAPS/ACPP Executive council on Zoom. Recurring event on the first Friday of each month. 3pm Eastern.
- Please register here.
5th National Postdoc Survey - September 2024
CAPS/ACPP conducts a national postdoc survey every four years to assess current postdoc conditions. The next survey will be launching in September 2024 and all members will be invited to complete the survey. We encourage all current and former postdocs to register now for CAPS membership to ensure you will receive a personalized survey link in the Fall.
To register as a CAPS member, please fill out the individual membership form.
To receive a survey link without registering as a CAPS member, please fill out this survey registration form.
- CAPS/ACPP will host a week of free webinars.
- More details to come!
Public Debate: The Endless Precarity of Research Fellowships Contributions - September 17 2024
- The International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICoRSA) and CAPS are pleased to invite you to our upcoming online workshop, aimed at addressing the challenges faced by researchers who rely on stipends and fellowships. This event will take place on September 17th, 2024, from 4pm to 5.30 pm CEST, and we believe your participation will be invaluable in shaping a comprehensive understanding and potential solutions to improve the working conditions for these researchers. Workshop Overview: In academia and other research institutions, many researchers depend on stipends and fellowships, often facing financial insecurity, professional instability, and mental health challenges. Despite the intellectual fulfillment these fields promise, the reality for many is less promising. Research fellowships, typically used for PhD work or short-term research tasks, are often extended to postdoctoral researchers, reducing costs for institutions but also reducing access to regular employment benefits. Our workshop will delve into these issues, share personal experiences, and collaboratively discuss potential solutions. By understanding the negative impacts on working conditions, we aim to advocate for better policies and support systems that foster a more equitable and sustainable research environment.
- Speakers
- Dr. Henny Bennett, Chair of the Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars (CAPS): “Improving the social benefits of research fellowships in Canada”
- Dr. Ana Ferreira, Assistant Researcher at CICS.NOVA NOVA FCSH: “Precarity in Portugal”
- Dr. Tracy Wietecha, Max Planck PostdocNet
- Mrs. Jorunn Dahl Norgard, Head of International Affairs, Norwegian Association of Researchers
- Dr. Francisco Javier del Castillo, ANIH: “Pathways to end precarity: Government incentives and regulations in Spain”
- Speakers
- Participation at the event is free of charge, but registration is compulsory via zoom until September, 16th
- Register on Zoom
The International Consortium of Research Staff Associations (ICoRSA) is excited to announce the launch of its third survey, focusing on working conditions and social rights. Your participation is crucial in helping gather comprehensive data that can drive meaningful change. The 2024 survey is structured into six key sections to capture a holistic view of the research landscape:
Demographics: Understanding the diverse backgrounds of our research community.
Contractual Conditions: Insights into the nature of research contracts.
Career Expectations: Exploring aspirations and career progression in research.
Professional Development: Analyzing the professional development offer and needs of researchers.
Participation in Governance Structures: Assessing involvement in decision-making processes.
Who Should Participate? ICoRSA invites postdoctoral researchers from all sectors—academia, business, public administration, and the non-profit private sector—to participate. The survey is open to researchers at all career stages, from early-stage postdocs to senior researchers across all scientific domains. Your experiences and insights are key to highlighting the realities of research precarity and advocating for improved working conditions and social rights for all researchers. Join us in this important initiative and make your voice heard. Complete the ICoRSA 2024 International Survey on Research Precarity today and help us build a better future for researchers worldwide by October 1st, 2024.
How to Participate: https://icorsainternationalsurvey24.limesurvey.net/536168?lang=en
- Our AGM will be held in a hybrid format on Zoom and in person in Toronto.
- More details to come!
- CAPS/ACPP will be appointing a new executive council. A call for nominations will circulate in November, with the potential for elections held at the end of November. Terms start January 1st 2025.