Networking

Explore PFDC and College networks

Building your own network in your research career offers many rewards including access to resources, ideas, information and support. Explore our resources below to help you develop your networking skills and overcome any anxiety you feel.

Networking resources

Networking: what is it and why do it?

Explore some definitions of networking; ways to think about it within the context of academia and your career, and the purpose of doing it.

Identifying and reviewing your network

Take a strategic look at your network. Are there areas you can build on or particular gaps which you’d like to fill?

Networking resources

Finding the time to network

Here we address some of the common concerns researchers have about finding the time.

Finding a way to network that works for you

Examine how you can overcome some of the barriers commonly perceived or experienced when networking.

Building cultural awareness

Become more aware of some of the cross-cultural networking challenges you might come across

Networking resources 3

Becoming more visible and findable

Discover steps you can take to make it easier for people to find you, and to find you credible.

Communication: reaching out to have the first conversation

Learn how to grow your networks and suggests many ways to connect with others.

Upcoming courses and workshops

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Our annual programme of courses and workshops

We offer a wide range of courses focused on leadership and management. Scheduled courses can be viewed in our online calendar (above). Below are details of the related courses we offer throughout the year: 

Course list

Meeting Management

  • Tutor: Caroline Broad - Independent Consultant
  • Usually scheduled: December
  • Visit our online calendar to find out about scheduled courses

Overview

Meetings are so often unproductive, with unclear objectives.  In this interactive workshop, you will develop a more effective approach to meetings.

Key Areas

We will explore best practice on how to:

  • Not have meetings!
  • Develop buy-in of key meeting stakeholders
  • Create positive communication pre and post-meeting
  • Facilitate the engagement of all attendees

We will develop your key skills in:

  • Meeting facilitation
  • Decision making
  • Listening
  • Questioning

We also run pop-up workshops during the year. Here are some examples of recent pop-ups focused on networking skills. Upcoming pop-ups on these topics will be advertised on this page, in the PFDC newsletter, twitter and via the Postdoc Reps Network.

Workshop list

Crafting your professional narrative – Increasing your visibility

  • Tutor: Dr Inês Perpétuo, Imperial College London
  • Usually scheduled: April, October
  • Visit our online calendar to find out about scheduled workshops

You know who you are and what are your achievements and successes, but how do you communicate them to others?

This workshop aims to strengthen your ability to promote yourself and your research in interviews and funding applications, for jobs through the CV, as well as on social media.

There will be time to cover interview pitches and the use of social media beyond science communication. We are going to cover the why and how to increase your visibility and some strategies to overcome perceived or real barriers, both online and offline.

This workshop will have some interactive aspects as we will work on short pitches with the aim of getting people to the stage of wanting to know more about you.

Networking for Success

  • Tutor: Dr Inês Perpétuo, Imperial College London
  • Usually scheduled: March, September
  • Visit our online calendar to find out about scheduled workshops

What is networking? Why is it important in your career? How can you network effectively?

The aim of this pop-up workshop is to help you understand how to network effectively and make you confident and happy about going out and networking to advance your career!

Social media for academics

  • Tutor: Dr Inês Perpétuo, Imperial College London
  • Usually scheduled: January, June
  • Visit our online calendar to find out about scheduled workshops

You know who you are and what your achievements and successes are, but how do you increase your visibility as a researcher?

Is social media a tool for visibility increase, science communication, or a bottomless pit of time wasting?

In this session, we are going to cover the why and how to increase your visibility, social media use, and some strategies to overcome barriers, both online and offline.