We are sad to announce that we have decided to postpone MAGIC 2020 until there is some clarity about the current situation. Please email mentoring.guidance.careers@gmail.com if you would like to be added to our notifications list.

Mentoring and Guidance in Careers (MAGIC) workshop
early career female or gender diverse researcherS In mathematics, Physics and chemistry
2 – 6 November 2020, at University House, ANU Canberra.

MAGIC2019 was an opportunity to explore the many facets of forging a career in academic, government or industry settings, and to discuss how to create building blocks for success and resilience. Participation is limited to early career researchers who will have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills; and to create a support network that will allow them to forge a successful career in science.

The MAGIC program involves actively interacting with your fellow participants and seeking potential collaborations. Applicants should have an ongoing commitment to making a positive contribution not only to their research but also to the broader scientific community.

MAGIC is created and run on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and on the lands of the Ngunnawal people. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first people of Australia. They have never ceded sovereignty, and remain strong in their enduring connection to land and culture.

The 2019 workshop was organised by Professors Michelle Coote (ANU), Mahananda Dasgupta (ANU) and Nalini Joshi (The University of Sydney). The organising committee includes Dr Merryn McKinnon from the Australian National Centre for Public Awareness of Science, ANU.

MAGIC2019 was supported by funding from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (FLEET), the Australian National University, the Australian Research Council, the Payne-Scott initiative of The University of Sydney, The University of Melbourne, The University of Queensland, and The University of Sydney.

Applications for the next MAGIC workshop will open in 2020. If you would like to be alerted when applications open, please email us.

Questions should be directed to mentoring.guidance.careers@gmail.com.

@WiSTEM_MAGIC

Please feel free to download and distribute the MAGIC2019 flyer.

MAGIC 2020 is currently postponed. If you would like to be notified when applications open; please email mentoring.guidance.careers@gmail.com

Participation is limited to at most 40 early career researchers who will have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills; and to create a support network that will allow them to forge a successful career in science.

The MAGIC program involves actively interacting with your fellow participants and seeking potential collaborations. Applicants should have an ongoing commitment to making a positive contribution not only to their research but also to the broader scientific community.

Successful applicants will receive financial support for economy round-trip travel from their home institution to the workshop and will be provided accommodation from 18 – 22 November at University House, Australian National University, Canberra.

Partial support is available for participants with young children who require help to participate in MAGIC 2019. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this option.

To be eligible to attend MAGIC you should:

• be an early career researcher 0-7 years post PhD (excluding career interruptions)
• be female or of diverse gender identity
• have a PhD in chemistry or mathematical or physical sciences (i.e. the disciplines of chemistry, mathematics, physics and cognate disciplines)
• currently be based in Australia

You will need to provide your name, email, affiliation, a two page CV; and also answer the following questions:

What are your career goals in the next 5-7 years (in other words, what would you like to be)?
What are the biggest challenges that you perceive in achieving the above goal(s)?
Describe how attending MAGIC2019 will help your career and how you will use what you learn to benefit others in the scientific community?

Download the MAGIC2019 program

Day one: Monday 18 NovembeR 2019

Career aspirations and goals

10:00 Registration and morning tea

10:45 Workshop opening

11:15 Panel discussion 1: A short walk in chemistry, mathematics and physics careers

13:00 Lunch

14:00 Interactive session 1: Tailoring CVs for different sectors

15:30 Afternoon break

16:00 Breakout session 1: Aspirations and goals
Guided by discussion leaders, participants form groups and discuss their career goals and aspirations.

17:30 Welcome drinks and dinner

21:00 End of day one

day two: Tuesday 19 November 2019

Gathering the building blocks of a career

09:00 Introduction

09:05 Panel discussion 2: Building a long-term perspective in career

10:30 Morning break

11:00 Panel discussion 3: Towards a successful grant application

12:30 Lunch break

13:30 Interactive Workshop 1: Public speaking, promoting your research/results & pitching your message

15:30 Afternoon break

16:00 Breakout session 2: Career development
Guided by discussion leaders, participants form groups and explore strategies for career development.

17:30 End of day two

day three: Wednesday 20 November 2019

Progressing further

09:00 Introduction

09:05 Panel Discussion 4: Leadership skills, collaborations and building networks

10:30 Morning break

11:00 Short talk followed by discussion: Mentors and sponsors

12:30 Lunch break

13:30 Free time

18:30 BBQ dinner and small group tours of the Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility

21:00 End of day three

Day four: Thursday 21 November 2019

Being a balanced researcher & exploring a diversity of careers

09:00 Interactive Workshop 2: Resilience and self-management

10:30 Morning break

11:00 Panel Discussion 5: Employer needs and expectations in industry and other non-university sectors

13:00 Lunch break

14:00 Practice session 1: Practice session on self-management

14:25 Private mock job interviews: public service, industry or academia and/or continue with practice session 1

15:30 Afternoon break

15:45 Private mock job interviews: public service, industry or academia and/or working on your CV

17:45 Drinks and finger food

18:45 End of day four

Day five: Friday 22 November 2019

Putting things into practice

09:00 Introduction

09:05 Breakout Session 3: Research grant application review: In teams of two, participants review their 100-word grant application summaries before presenting them to discussion leaders.

10:30 Morning break

11:00 Breakout session 3 (continued): Research grant application review

12:00 Feedback and staying in touch

13:00 Lunch and goodbyes

14:00 End of workshop

Download the MAGIC2019 program