2021: How to run a motivated and engaged research group

Please note: this workshop is suited best for STEM researchers wanting to develop their own research team but all ECRs are welcome. We will also be scheduling alternative workshops for researchers in other disciplines.

As academics we are responsible for the training, intellectual development, and general well-being of the postgrads in our research groups.

For our trainees’ (and our own) research careers to flourish we want to ensure our research groups (or labs) are supportive, vibrant, engaging, and productive. But how exactly does one develop such a group?

In this workshop Prof Martin Whiting (Department of Biology) will outline key components to running an organised, engaged, and stimulating research group. Topics covered in this workshop include:

• Motivating students by enhancing self-determined behaviour using three conditions: competence, autonomy, and social connectedness
• Developing a philosophy and lab culture
• How to run lab meetings (that won’t go stale)
• How to effectively use postdocs to help run the lab
• Importance of support and engagement between lab members and other groups
• What to do if your lab has only a few students
• The importance of fostering a philosophy of enquiry and questioning

Mid Career/Senior Researchers

Graduate Research Students

Early Career Researchers