Description and objectives
What is “academic mobility” and what is its purpose? When you hear the career histories of current academics, many will chart a career path full of stories of travelling from one country/institution/research group to another, as they build up their academic career portfolio. Many PhD and postdoctoral researchers have benefited from travelling to experience new research perspectives and knowledge, working alongside new colleagues and collaborators,
as well as enjoying an enriched personal life immersed in a new culture. However, academic mobility, especially long-term-long-distance travel is not suited to everyone – priorities around work-life balance change at every career stage and so it’s important for researchers to
question their motivation and make informed decisions about when to stay and when (and where) to go.

In this informative and interactive workshop we look at the why, what, who, where and how of academic mobility. With plenty of opportunity for discussion and individualised reflection, participants should be more knowledgeable about the advantages and disadvantages associated with academic mobility and feel more confident to make strategic career decisions.

Approach
Theoretical input will alternate with individual, pair and group work.