BUP CAPABLE PhD student conference

As a part of the CAPABLE project, the BUP hosted a PhD student conference on 11-13 November 2024 in Uppsala. The project focuses on providing knowledge, skills, and network opportunities to PhD students completing their PhD thesis.

The participants were given the opportunity to meet and learn together with other PhD students in an inter- and multidisciplinary environment. During the event, the participants got the opportunity to give and receive feedback on their own work, as well as input from senior experts in their field. The training also included presentations on international academic cooperation, interdisciplinary research, and research presentations as well as discussions focusing on mental health and how to get published. The PhD students also took part in a Design Thinking Workshop and a workshop on networking for academic cooperation in the Baltic Sea Region.

In total 45 PhD students from 26 BUP participating universities took part in the event. The event was made possible with the help of colleagues at Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, WSB Merito University in Poznan, and Lodz University of Technology. This conference was partly financed by the Baltic Sea Neighbourhood Programme, a special call for Ukraine from the Swedish Institute.

A group of people in winter clothing standing outside.

Participants and experts at the BUP CAPABLE PhD student conference in Uppsala. Photo: Pontus Ambros

Evaluation PhD student conference

The evaluation was sent out at the conclusion of the event and it was completed by 23 of the on-site participants. Some of the most appreciated parts of the event were the lectures, workshops as well as the discussions and feedback from other students and the experts.

Quotes from the evaluation

"Overall it was a very nice conference and quite useful for my development as a PhD student."

"Very interesting lecturers and good organisation of the activities."

"For me, the best part was the presentation of our topics and especially the subsequent feedback or discussion on the topics, as it helped me to look at the topic from a new perspective and at the same time it helped me with the questions I had about the work."

"I found the possibility to meet other scholars even from different countries very rewarding."

Potential improvements

The BUP is always looking to improve our activities in the future. Therefore, we welcome feedback, as this is an opportunity to improve future activities for PhD students.

Participants suggested revising or extending the program to add more opportunities to network and learn more about the other participants and their thesis work was proposed. Other comments were that some workshops or lectures could be exchanged and have more of a hands-on and academic focus.

Organiser voice

"We are very pleased with the results of the PhD conference, with a high degree of satisfied participants. The conference also resulted in a deepened cooperation with both new and old BUP partners, from Sweden, Poland, and Ukraine. We are looking forward to continuing to develop the PhD conference and enhance the support and collaboration between both junior and senior researchers in the Baltic Sea Region."

Results of the event

Participants gave a rating of 8.1/10 in response to the question of to what extent the conference had been worthwhile in attending, in terms of their studies, future aspirations, and career.

The PhD students noted that they gained a lot of new contacts; an extended academic network. Furthermore, they stated that they received knowledge and feedback as well as new ideas as a result of participating in the conference.

Participant evaluations

  • The participants rated their expectations before the event at 7.4/10.
  • Participants gave the event an overall 8.7/10 rating.
  • Communication between the BUP staff and participants got a high rating, both before the event, 9.3/10, and at the event, 9.7/10.
  • The accommodation got an overall 8.7/10 rating, and the food an overall 9.5/10 rating.

All overall ratings were made on a scale from 1 to 10, where 1 is considered negative and 10 considered positive.

Voices of participants

Jakub Wydra - Participant from Jagiellonian University

Before attending, I hoped to enjoy an interesting scientific event in a beautiful city, in the company of inspiring people. It all came true!

The best part of the event was, without a doubt, meeting new people and learning new perspectives. Discussions with other doctoral students and listening to the difficulties and challenges we all share were the most important part for me.

From the event, I will bring with me great new friendships, new interdisciplinary insights, and lots of ideas for future research.

Photo of Jakub Wydra

Sofia Markina - Participant from Odesa I. I. Mechnikov National University

Before taking part in the event I didn’t have many specific expectations. I hoped to gain some additional knowledge and see what kind of insights or inspiration the conference might bring. Additionally, I hoped to network with peers and mentors who could inspire and guide me in my academic journey.

The best part of the event was the vibrant exchange of ideas during both formal sessions and informal discussions. Engaging with peers who share similar challenges and ambitions was incredibly motivating. The constructive feedback on my research gave me new perspectives, and the speakers’ insights added depth to my understanding of the field. The opportunity to meet and connect personally with like-minded scholars was truly enriching.

I will take with me a renewed sense of purpose and motivation for my research, along with practical suggestions to refine my work. The connections I made with fellow participants and the shared sense of community among PhD students will stay with me as a source of support. The conference reminded me of the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in academia.

Indre Razbadauskaite Venske - Participant from Klaipeda University

I expected the conference to be a platform for exchanging ideas and refining my understanding of green marketing. I was eager to engage with other researchers and explore practical applications of our work.

The best part was the collaborative spirit during the discussions and workshops. The atmosphere fostered honest dialogue, and I appreciated how the organisers facilitated meaningful connections and interactions among participants. Seeing how my research could fit into a broader context and spark collaborations was inspiring.

I will take away new perspectives on my research, particularly in green marketing, which has deepened my understanding of the various approaches and methodologies my peers are exploring. The discussions and workshops gave me fresh insights. Additionally, I’ve made valuable connections with fellow participants, which I believe will foster collaborative opportunities in the future. I am grateful to the organisers for creating an environment that encourages meaningful interactions and providing this invaluable learning opportunity. The experience has equipped me with the tools and ideas to enhance my PhD journey further.

Photo of Indre Razbadauskaite Venske

Images from the conference

A group of people sitting at a table

Photo: Lara Kerschl

The participants worked a lot in groups where they got the opportunity to meet and learn together with PhD students from all over the Baltic Sea Region.

A group of people sitting in a circle

Photo: Lara Kerschl

During the Design Thinking Workshop, the participants applied designers’ tools to real life problems.

A group of people looking up at the camera

Photo: Lara Kerschl

The conference welcomed a wide range of students and experts from different academic backgrounds to create an inter- and multidisciplinary environment.

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