Have you ever felt disempowered and alone? Have you ever had the feeling that no-one in your research group, department or beyond, cares about you or is even listening, that you are having to fight your own corner and losing badly?
Many of us feel this way at some time or other, but when you’re a PhD or early career researcher, this feeling can be multiplied, due to a number of factors: the nature of the academic work environment means that you may think of yourself as being an outsider, not able to voice your opinions; you’re working within a tight time frame, whether it’s towards the conclusion of your PhD or the end of a contract, so you can do without distractions; you may not have any obvious support or mentoring personnel to call upon.
Sayings such as, “Unite and conquer” – “Strength in numbers” – “Birds of a feather flock together”, are never truer to their word in these cases. Coalitions, unions, associations and societies come in all shapes and sizes, but their common aims are usually to bring like-minded people together to discuss their shared challenges, celebrate their successes, amplify their voices and, more generally, to act as a support network. For doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, joining such groups can be transformative. These organisations provide opportunities to connect with others who understand the unique struggles of academia and can offer guidance, resources, and a sense of belonging.
Associated Researchers
During the last few years, I’ve been seeing the growth of more and more doctoral and postdoctoral associations – from those set up and run out of academic institutions, through to those at the national and even international levels. In addition to these associations, other organisations exists, such as diaspora and policy For example: Leibniz PhD Network – Postdocs of Cambridge – Helmholtz Munich Postdoc Association – UK Research Staff Association – Italian Research Staff Association – Association National des Docteurs – National postdoctoral Association – https://raicex.org/ – https://poloniumfoundation.org/ – https://icorsa.org/ – Eurodoc
Looking at the webpages of some of these associations, they all have their own personalities – some focus on academic activities, others on career planning and possibilities, and, of course, social get-togethers are always a common feature! It’s likely that you know of a researcher-led association that you could join, either at the local or more national level.
At the more local level, these associations are usually run by researchers themselves, who decide on their own agenda and programme of events. At the national level, associations, such as the US National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), aims to improve the postdoctoral experience by offering professional development resources, advocacy initiatives, and a platform for researchers to connect with peers across institutions. Meanwhile, Eurodoc represents junior researchers in Europe by organising and taking part in events, as well as issuing reports and responses on matters of policy.
Membership can help strengthen and increase junior voices, so that you’re more likely to be heeded and taken seriously by those in more senior and powerful positions. Beyond professional benefits, these associations and networks can also improve mental well-being by reducing feelings of isolation – it’s not unusual for you to feel overwhelmed by the pressures of publishing, securing funding, and building a career. Having a trusted community to lean on during difficult times can make all the difference. Sharing experiences, whether through structured meetings or casual conversations, reminds you that you’re not alone.
“Safety in numbers” and other such sayings, are not just comforting ideas, they are a powerful strategy for navigating the challenges of a research career. Whether through professional associations, unions or online networks, joining forces with others can provide practical support, amplify individual voices, and create a sense of belonging. For doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, these connections are not just beneficial; they are essential. So, if you’re feeling disempowered or isolated, remember you don’t have to go it alone.
Find your flock, and together, you can soar.