Overview

Are you a woman postdoctoral researcher navigating the complexities of a research career?  Do you find yourself wondering ‘what’s next?’ or contemplating a shift from academia to another sector?  Are you battling imposter syndrome or seeking ways to effectively showcase your unique skills?  Would you like to be part of a supportive network of like-minded women in research?

Join the UNIque Book Club!  This club brings together women postdocs to read and reflect on Dr Emma Williams’ book, The UNIque Guide for Women: Confidently Embracing Your Career in Research and Beyond.

Participants will read the book independently and come together for four feedback sessions (two online and two in-person) to discuss their insights, engage in reflective exercises to identify personal values and priorities, and discover practical tools for progressing in their career.  The final session will be an opportunity to ‘Meet the Author’, including an interactive Q&A session with Dr Emma Williams.  These sessions will provide an encouraging and open platform for women researchers to support and champion each other, fostering a network that extends beyond the book club.

The sessions will follow a loose structure but will ultimately be participant-led, creating a safe space to explore the topics that matter most to attendees. Participants will receive a PDF copy of the book at no personal cost.

Please note, you do not need to be available for all 4 sessions to register for the book club (see dates below), however spaces are limited and priority will be given to participants who can attend all the sessions.

• Session 1: Friday 8 November 2024, 13:00 - 14:00, Online
• Session 2: Monday 18 November 2024, 10:00 - 12:00, R&E Seminar Room
• Session 3: Thursday 28 November 2024, 10:00 - 12:00, R&E Seminar Room
• Session 4: Friday 5 December 2024, 13:00 - 14:00, Online

About the Author

Dr Emma Williams is on a mission to enable researchers to take the next career step positively and proactively. Harnessing her 30+ years in and around Higher Education – from physicist to training business owner – she speaks, writes and trains on all things researcher development. Her favourite soapboxes include women’s development in Universities and encouraging researchers to investigate all things enterprising.

Emma's third book Leaving Academia: Ditch the Blanket, Take the Skills (2024) follows on from What Every Postdoc Needs to Know (2017/2024) and The UNIque Guide for Women: Confidently Embracing Your Career in Research And Beyond (2023).  She brings creativity, problem solving, empathy and usually a large coffee to her work.