Advancing EMCA Careers with Purpose and Integrity
The recent School of Biomedical Sciences (SBS) Retreat brought together over 100 staff members, including nearly 70 Early to Mid-Career Academics (EMCAs).
School of Biomedical Sciences Retreat 2024
Under the theme "Advancing EMCA Careers with Purpose and Integrity," the event aimed to foster a supportive and collaborative environment for EMCAs to develop their skills, networks, and career aspirations.
Welcome to Country
The retreat commenced with a Welcome to Country—"Wominjeka," meaning ‘to come with purpose’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people—setting a reflective tone for the days ahead.
Unpacking the Journey of an Academic
Belinda Lawford, Co-chair of the Faculty Early Career Academic Network (ECAN), opened the session by addressing key concerns from the Landscape Report, including job security, career outlook, mental health, supervisor support, and research integrity. Mike McGuckin discussed various initiatives and resources offered by the Faculty to support EMCAs. A panel of seasoned academic staff shared their career journeys, candidly discussing the highs and lows and the emotional roller coaster of navigating times of uncertainty.
The Enterprise Leadership session emphasised networking, collaboration, and communication, highlighting the importance of making a meaningful impact through "poise, pace, and voice." EMCAs had the invaluable opportunity to present their own 3-minute pitches and receive feedback from senior leaders.
Career Opportunities and Challenges
A multidisciplinary panel shared insights on career paths, emphasising:
- Jobs outside academia and the University are not failures.
- Success is not solely measured by metrics.
- The importance of remembering one's identity beyond professional achievements.
Independence & Promotion
Mike McGuckin and Natalie Hannan led a session on the SWiM (Supporting Women in MDHS) program, discussing the significance of community and support, especially for women in academia. Mike debunked promotion myths, stressing that "there is no formula, everyone is different," and highlighting the importance of individual impact in the promotion process.
Guest Speaker
Dylan Alcott AO, interviewed by Natalie Hannan, shared his journey, resilience, and achievements, inspiring attendees and emphasizing the importance of finding joy in all endeavours. His open and honest assessment was refreshing, and his response to challenges inspirational.
Mentorship and Career Growth
Senior leaders engaged in small group discussions, addressing questions sourced from EMCAs prior to the retreat, providing valuable insights and personalized guidance.
Jessica Hattersley and Nick Slugocki from the Office for Research Ethics and Integrity (OREI) led a session on the importance of ethical research practices and the support available for maintaining research integrity. They also outlined the important role of supervision of graduate students and the cross-faculty support available for supervisors.
Innovation
A pre-recorded interview with Peter Choong (Associate Dean Innovation and Enterprise) was followed by a panel discussion on innovation and enterprise. Key messages included the importance of reframing success expectations and the constructive lessons that come from “failures,” exemplified by Thomas Edison’s persistence. Edison’s quote, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up,” highlighted the value of perseverance.
Summary
Heads of Department and EMCA Co-chairs emphasized the importance of guidance, mentoring, and partnerships in nurturing future leaders. Highlighting the need for a supportive ecosystem and the value of senior leaders listening to EMCA needs, they encapsulated the retreat's theme of purposeful advancement. Feedback on the retreat was overwhelmingly positive. The importance of our senior leaders listening to the voice of EMCA’s cannot be overstated.
The outcomes of this first SBS retreat dedicated to EMCAs will stem from the re-invigorated EMCA committee. I look forward to hearing their thoughts and establishing a plan that empowers our EMCAs to achieve their goals.
Prof Jennifer Wilkinson-Berka, Head of School