NEWS "Networking to enable research – highlights and pitfalls". That was the theme when SWEAH, the national and interdisciplinary research school on aging and health, organized doctoral days in Umeå for the first time, April 17–18.
SWEAH comprises 13 universities, and at the doctoral days in Umeå, eight of them were represented by a total of about 20 participants. A feature of the first day was a group workshop, where participants asked each other about everything from pets to highlights of their own research.
Ingrid Olsson and Roar Hermansen Øsby talked about how they used travel grants to visit universities in other countries. The destinations were Halifax, Canada, and Melbourne, Australia.
Before dinner, the participants had to test their skills in bowling, and several discovered that they are almost as accurate there as during their research.
Juan Carlos with VR glasses, a help for the elderly to take their medications.
ImageClaes BjörnbergDay 2 began with short lectures by Umeå researchers. Here are some of the topics:
• Studies of memory and brain functions
• Meaningful activities in arctic environment
• Alcohol use and vulnerability to cyber threats
• The feeling of being discriminated against because of age
• VR glasses to help the elderly take their medications
After group discussions about networking, Day 2 ended with the doctoral students being able to ask questions to a panel, which consisted of Annikki Arola, Åsa Audulv, Cecilia Pettersson and Ann Sörlin.
They said, among other things, that a researcher's network can vary over time, as needs can change. A special responsibility rests on the main supervisor, regarding the openness to new impressions and networks. One of the panelists also pointed out that leaving a network can be more difficult than joining. It can also be mentioned here that SWEAH invites you to its alumni network.
Workshop at SWEAH's doctoral days.
ImageClaes BjörnbergGiulia Lorenzon, Karolinska Institutet, was very satisfied with the days:
– The program is of course important, but socializing outside the program is also incredibly rewarding.
David Dahlgren, Maria Glans and William Son Galanza participated from Lund University. They also think that the days in Umeå were time well spent.
– It was great to get to know others in the same situation, David thinks.
– The panel session gave many perspectives on several issues, is one of William’s thoughts.
– It could easily have lasted longer. You just want more! says Maria.