The Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) committee consists of postdoctoral researchers who meet regularly with the Head of Department (Prof. Andy Nisbet) once a month to discuss any departmental issues affecting research staff.
Members of the PDRA Committee also attend the departmental Academic Group meetings (first Wednesday of the month), where the department's activities, including teaching and research matters are discussed.
Any grass roots initiatives among researchers are actively encouraged and these can be communicated to the committee members. Anyone wishing to be involved in the committee, shaping the research environment within the department, may contact any committee member or the Head of Department.
Departmental Mentoring Scheme
The committee facilitate a mentoring scheme within the department, which is open to all postdoctoral members of staff on a voluntary basis. Each early career researchers are assigned a mentor – a senior academic member of staff from a different research group – for guidance and support. The mentorship can be tailored to the individuals needs, however it is commonly used to support and encourage career progression whilst advising on long term career aspirations. Those who have participated in the scheme in the past have found it incredible worthwhile.
If you have just started in the department and would like to participate in the mentoring scheme, either as a mentor or a mentee, please let Thomas Allen (t.allen@ucl.ac.uk) or any committee member know.