The Emerging Research Days took place in Montreal from October 25th to 28th at the UQAM premises. Unfortunately, the participation rate was anything but good…
By Camille Sainson, multiplatform journalist
Photo credit: Hombeline Dumas – ACFAS
The eleventh edition of J2R, this annual meeting organized in collaboration with the Fonds de recherche du Québec, offers second and third cycle students the opportunity to meet inspiring scientists and professionals. Between round tables, happy hours and thematic workshops, there were numerous opportunities to learn more about stress management, the role of artificial intelligence, writing a scientific communication or even how FRQ grant applications work. . The event was open to 200 students and postdoctoral researchers from all regions of the Canadian Francophonie and sold out within a few days! A waiting list was even created, but only allowed a handful more people to get a spot.
What surprised me was that of the 200 people interested, only about a hundred actually showed up. Illnesses, busy schedules, last minute unforeseen events – I don’t know exactly what the reasons for such absences are, but it’s a shame that those on the waiting list suffered.
However, the organization of the J2R is similar to previous editions: same season, similar training activities, 5 to 7 and Popularisathon are still included, etc. Some topics covered were even new, as they were developed in collaboration with the host university! For example, a workshop was set up specifically for bachelor students to give them the opportunity to demystify the world of university research.
Photo credit: Hombeline Dumas – Acfas
Impact Campus met the participants and their statements are very similar: Maude Gauthier (Master in Health Law and Policy) explains that “the J2Rs are a great opportunity for research students to form a community and share common challenges and opportunities.” [Elle est] I am pleased to be part of such a gathering. » A feeling also shared by Daphné Beaudoin (Master in Law), for whom this event is “an opportunity to meet other doctoral students from all disciplines.” A place to discuss the challenges that the situation of graduate studies brings with it , and an opportunity to share our fears about the future. » Although she particularly enjoyed meeting passionate people facing the same challenges, she does point out a downside: “I would have liked workshops on more targeted topics that correspond to the challenges of my field. » Jérôme Fortier (Master in Epidemiology) agrees; Although he recognizes the interest in networking and the opportunity to explore what is being done in other areas, he admits that “we should review the relevance of certain workshops.” »
Overall, students recognize the benefit of such an event, which helps to create a sense of community and understand the issues surrounding this high-performance area that is graduate study.
Photo credit: Hombeline Dumas – Acfas
We also spoke to Sophie Montreuil, Director General of Acfas, who talks about the importance of these J2Rs: “We are designing this event to offer members of the next generation of researchers workshops on topics they are unfamiliar with. No access to their official curriculum.” . This is not a conference to participate in the advancement of knowledge, but to reflect on everything that surrounds the world of research. We try, thanks to our experts, to provide a framework that allows students to better understand what employment prospects they have beyond their university career and to realize that their professional skills go far beyond the field of their discipline. We want to open the understanding of the next generation of researchers to the immense skills they are developing to project themselves into the future. »
Finally, the J2Rs represent a great opportunity to bring graduate students together. It is an event created specifically to help them navigate this ecosystem with many obstacles, but which also turns out to be a great adventure that you have to know how to take advantage of. Who said academic research has to rhyme with loneliness? That’s why next year we’ll be gathering in large numbers in Sherbrooke to brighten up our community!
Photo credit: Hombeline Dumas – Acfas