McMaster Participates in the U21 Mid-Career Researcher Programme

From October 11th to November 8th, 2023, Universitas 21 held its second Mid-Career Researcher Programme in partnership with Common Purpose. 

The Mid-Career Researcher (MCR) Programme is a micro-credential that convenes MCRs from universities in the U21 network. Throughout the program, MCRs can share knowledge and ideas about effectively adapting to a creative and collaborative research culture through asynchronous content and high-touch synchronous sessions. This year, the themes included: 

• Mindset for success 
• Courage to fail 
• Trusting oneself 
• Collaboration 
• Partnership building 

There were six participants from McMaster nominated by their respective Faculties.  

Dr. Abel Chikanda, Associate Professor, School of Earth Environment and Society, Faculty of Science, commented that the MCR programme was “career transforming,” offering “a safe space to talk about the challenges that we face as mid-career researchers and also learn from the experiences of others. The program touched on a number of issues that are critical to the success of MCRs as they attempt to make the leap to the next phase of their career.” Dr. Chikanda expressed that, after the MCR programme, he feels encouraged to embrace a less risk-averse mindset and views challenges as “a steppingstone to the acquisition of new skills and knowledge.” 

Dr. Gita Ljubicic, Professor, School of Earth Environment and Society, Faculty of Science, also found the MCR programme to be a positive, “insightful and inspiring” experience.  

Dr. Tara La Rose, Chair, McMaster Research Ethics Board, Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, noted that “working through the development of a personal strategy for collaboration as a reflective process was helpful,” and that it was beneficial to work with researchers that she may not necessarily work with in the future, as it allowed for MCRs to prioritize their own goals and priorities as well as provide constructive feedback. Dr. La Rose found that she often found herself in groups with less potential for collaboration, which might not be beneficial for partnership building, but did lower the stakes in terms of sharing honest feedback. Overall, she recommends the program, which has given her clarity in her process moving forward and has led her to initiate a new collaboration. 

The other participants from McMaster include Dr. Nick Bock, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behavior, Faculty of Science; Dr. Celia Rothenberg, Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Religious Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences; and Dr. Renae Watchman, Associate Professor, Indigenous Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences. 

For more information on the U21 MCR programme, click here.