A better working environment for better science

Are scientists trained to lead, manage, and mentor in today's research environment?

PhD Student dropouts are at an all-time high, early-career researchers say they lack mentorship and guidance. Studies show that two-thirds of researchers have experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment and that half consider asking for help for depression or anxiety.

In this short presentation with an interactive discussion, we would like to hear from you as scientists and students about your experiences and perspectives on the academic working environment and improvements in areas such as communication, mental health, professional development, equality and inclusion, people management, and conflict resolution.

What can universities do to support researchers in these areas to avoid a toxic workplace cycle and help develop better scientists to solve today’s questions? How could a better working environment help the future of science?

As a starting point, we propose Academly, an online tool that supports researchers in their progression towards team management and helps students plan milestones to track their progress, opening lines of communication and improving relationships with colleagues and supervisors.