} Meanwhile, the departments are unfurling their sails
and getting ready for the ‘off ’ in early October—not forgetting that the economists start much earlier.
whatever the problem—the grant’s late and “ money’s a bit short, missing the family back home
or a touch of the pre-June Paper nerves—they are never far away from someone who is ready to listen and able to help.
”
From that point on, it may not be plain sailing all the way, but if there are snags, researchers have access to a support network made up of Academic Service, the Dean’s Office and the Counsellors. So whatever the problem—the grant’s late and money’s a bit short, missing the family back home or a touch of the preJune Paper nerves - they are never far away from someone who is ready to listen and able to help. They may contact Françoise Thauvin or Ken Hulley in Academic Service, Martin van Gelderen or Fatma Sayed in the Dean of Studies’ Office, or Katia Soboul or Bernadette van Boxel at the Counselling Service—all members of a team that is much appreciated as a friendly, caring
Katia Soboul and Bernadette van Boxel
group for understanding researchers and their needs. Through them, advice is available to help resolve personal, emotional, social and academic problems, starting with the front office of Academic Service where the two staff members mentioned above have years of experience in dealing with welfare issues. They can advise on matters ranging from health insurance cover to local doctors and hospitals, or whom to turn to next. If, for example, researchers are feeling particularly upset by an emotional problem, they may want to talk to the one of the Institute’s counsellors in all confidentiality—their office is based at the Badia twice per week and the service is free. If on the other hand the problem is more study-related and research-
6 Winter 2009
ers are unable to solve it through the usual department channels, they may prefer to talk the matter over with the Dean of Studies directly. Finally, special mention should be made of the most recent introduction, the Career Development Office, whose aim is to prepare researchers for their working life beyond the Institute. Events, courses and seminars are set up on matters relevant for the professional future of researchers, both academic and non-academic. Our last exit survey confirmed that around 70% of researchers finishing their Ph.D. start in academic jobs while the other third finds positions outside academia. On the basis of this, career preparation activities focus mainly on teacher training, but training in generic skills e.g. communication, public speaking and preparation for interviews is also offered. Other seminars provide information on research funding opportunities, publication strategies and career planning. Seminars and courses are held throughout the academic year by EUI staff and external experts. Two major annual events are the Teaching Skills Week offering a series of seminars on teaching in higher education to advanced researchers, and the Alumni Career Event, an opportunity for all researchers and fellows to get information on careers outside academia from EUI alumni. In conclusion, our objective is for our researchers to leave the Institute equipped with all the skills, knowledge and experience they need to lead fulfilling careers and personal lives and we do this by creating a stimulating and supportive environment to help them excel in every way. n