EGOV IFIP New Junior Faculty School

The Junior Faculty School was a new initiative aimed at connecting PhD students with the broader eGov community. The day focused on key topics essential for early-career academics: Career Building, Publishing Your Research, and exploring trends and developments in the e-government domain.

The following description is the paraphrased experience of Hanne Höglund Rydén, a PhD Candidate at University of Agder, Norway at the Junior Faculty School:

In the career planning session, the students introduced ourselves and shared our expectations and concerns about academic career paths and networking. The day was packed with insightful keynotes, starting with a leadership professor and author who inspired us with strategies for career success. A key takeaway from the first keynote, by Prof. Katleen De Stobbeleir, was that learning doesn’t stop after the PhD; as academics, we must constantly reinvent ourselves and maintain a growth mindset. Building supportive networks is vital, as asking for advice can enhance others’ perceptions of our intelligence.

The second keynote on “Publishing Your Research” by Prof. Marijn Janssen provided practical advice on navigating the publishing process in top journals. He emphasized the importance of persistence in the face of rejection, reminding us that even critical feedback is a valuable tool for improving our work.

The Junior Faculty School was an invaluable experience to us, equipping us with practical advice and a sense of community as we navigate our academic careers.