In many institutions, postdoctoral fellows feel they have fallen through a gap somewhere between faculty and graduate student groups, leaving them with little sense of belonging. This situation is quite disheartening to them to feel like they don't quite belong anywhere.
To fill that gap, the Water Institute is pleased to announce the launch of the Water Institute Postdoc (WIP) network to help water-related postdocs across campus feel more supported and connected during their time at the University of Waterloo.
Earlier this year, the Water Institute reached out to postdoctoral fellows working in the water domain across the University of Waterloo. Building on the structure and success of the Institute’s Society of the Water Institute Graduate Students (SWIGS), an exploratory meeting was held to discuss a potential network, including its purpose, objectives, programming, structure and sustainability. An initial group of almost 30 postdocs brainstormed ideas and agreed that launching such an initiative would be a great idea.
The water research-focused yet multi-disciplinary group is committed to sharing knowledge with peers, discussing complex water issues, and supporting the next generation of water leaders.
Saraswati (Saru), a Research Associate in the Ecohydrology Research Group and executive member of the network explained “The launch of the WIP network will give postdocs a chance to interact with like-minded individuals who share similar research interests and allow them to develop new connections and friendships that could prove to be extremely valuable in their future research career. I am confident that this network will go a long way in encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing within the Water Institute postdoc community.”
Water Institute Postdoc Network workshop, July 28, 2023.
Their first workshop was held on Friday, July 28th about Writing a teaching statement or dossier for academic jobs. The workshop was led by Kristin Brown, who is an Educational Developer, TA Training and Writing Support from the Centre for Teaching Excellence. It was a two-hour workshop where Kristin discussed how postdocs can articulate their beliefs and values, specific processes, and evidence of effectiveness in their teaching documents. The workshop was well attended, and postdocs found it incredibly valuable.
Moving forward, the network plans to organize monthly meetings, networking events and presentations on career development and water research-related topics, creating a much-needed space for the group to connect. Dr. Andrea Brookfield, who is a professor in Earth and Environmental Sciences, is serving as the faculty mentor to the network.
Join the Network
Postdoctoral fellows interested in joining the WIP Network can connect with Saraswati (Saru) via email or on Twitter at @UW_WIP_network.
Water Institute Postdoc Network executive members include:
Lewis Alcott
Postdoctoral Fellow, Ecohydrology Research Group
Abraham Marshall Nunbogu
Department of Geography and Environmental Management
Saraswati (Saru)
Research Associate, Ecohydrology Research Group