This newsletter provides an overview of all upcoming activities for PhD students organized by the doctoral schools and links to other potentially interesting events or information.

More details on, and registration links for, upcoming activities are available on the website of the doctoral schools. When you enrol for a doctoral school activity, make sure to take our cancellation & no-show policy into account. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at all times on doctoralschools@uhasselt.be.

1. Wellbeing inside-out

A PhD journey takes time, patience and sustained effort: it's a marathon rather than a sprint. You have to keep many balls in the air to reach the finish line. This can sometimes be stressful. In addition, it can also affect your wellbeing. Therefore, the doctoral schools join forces with the HR Department for ‘Wellbeing inside-out’ on October 10 & 11. This two-day initiative is filled with lots of sessions that help to increase your confidence, resilience and that bring you in contact with fellow Hasselt University colleagues and researchers. The detailed programme, as well as the registration links, can be found here.

2. Job shadowing for PhD candidates & postdocs 2024

Job shadowing is a structured career exploration activity which gives PhD candidates (≥ 3rd year of their PhD trajectory) and postdocs of the 5 Flemish universities the opportunity to learn about a job function by walking through a work day as a ‘shadow’ to a professional. During 1 or 2 days PhD candidates/postdocs witness first-hand a company culture, job responsibilities, skills and competences in practice. More than 100 Job Shadowing opportunities (with consultancy firms, pharmaceutical companies, NGO’s, educational institutions …) are offered and advertised on the PhD Talent Pool Flanders. Create or update your account, click the Job Shadowing-button (to your right) or go to the Events-tab (do not forget to toggle Flemish universities and partner events). There, you will find an overview of all Job Shadowing positions. Registration is possible until September 6, 2024. For all details, ins and outs, eligibility and requirements, please consult the VLIR website.

3. Course 'Does science need a friend - A mindful/mindset perspective on sustainability'

In academia, the emphasis is often on using science to develop solutions for the numerous crises we face. While science plays a crucial role, it alone may not be enough to drive real change. Solutions frequently target lower-level leverage points, but a fundamental transformation requires a shift in our paradigm or mindset. This program aims to inspire individual mindset changes, which can create a ripple effect, leading to broader societal shifts. Join us for an enlightening course with Prof. dr. Ir. Griet Verbeeck, where we reflect on sustainability from seven unique perspectives. This highly reflective program challenges our current views on sustainability and encourages us to explore diverse perspectives. Reflect on sustainability in a new way—register today!

4. Doctoral schools mobility call 3 - 2024

Hasselt University encourages its junior researchers' international and intersectoral mobility and wants to promote (international) contacts between research groups. Thanks to the Flemish Government's financial support, Hasselt University doctoral schools can award travel grants to PhD students and postdoctoral researchers for participation in an international summer school or a short research stay abroad. Also, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers can be awarded intersectoral mobility grants for intersectoral summer schools or research projects conducted at and in collaboration with non-academic institutions (companies, hospitals, …). This third and last call for 2024 concerns the period September - December 2024. Deadline of submission is 12/08/2024 and the activity (summer school or research stay) needs to take place between 01/09/2024 and 31/12/2024. More information about the requirements, selection criteria, financial support and application procedure can be found online.

5. PhD Welcome

UHasselt welcomes you! At Hasselt University, we aspire to create a stimulating environment for PhD researchers and provide comprehensive guidance throughout your entire PhD journey. With this in mind, we warmly welcome all starting PhD students to join us at our 'PhD Welcome' event. This half-day session will take place on November 08, 2024, and will shed light on doing a PhD at Hasselt University, the doctoral schools, well-being, and so on. In doing so, we hope to provide answers to possible questions that could pop up at the beginning of your PhD trajectory. We will also give the floor to several experienced PhD researchers who will share the pitfalls and successes of their research careers. Moreover, the PhD Welcome will give you the opportunity to connect with other PhD researchers. Don't miss out on this chance to get in touch and socialize with other starting PhD students! Registration is possible until October 20, 2024. Please complete the expectation question when registering for the event to ensure you receive the information you need for a successful start at the PhD Welcome session.

Details & registration

1. How to create engaging stories about your research (and enjoy doing it) (all DS)

Takes place (digitally) on 02, 09, 16, 24/09/24 - 09:30-12:30
Registration possible until 01/08/24

2. Academic English (all DS)

Takes place on 06, 13, 20, 27/09/24 - 09:00-12:00
Registration possible until 18/08/24

3. Managing my PhD (all DS)

Takes place on 17/09 - 09:30-16:30 & 15/10/24 - 09:00-13:00
Registration possible until 19/08/24

4. Getting started with Qualtrics: Tips and tricks on collecting experimental and survey-data with Qualtrics (all DS)

Takes place on 19/09/24 - 09:00-13:00
Registration possible until 22/08/24

5. ChatGPT as a creative partner for science communication (all DS)

Takes place on 23/09/24 - 13:30-16:30
Registration possible until 01/09/24

6. Presentation clinic (all DS)

Takes place on 23/09/24 - 09:30-12:30
Registration possible until 25/08/24

7. Does science need a friend? A mindful/mindset perspective on sustainability (all DS)

Takes place on 30/09, 14 & 28/10, 12 & 25/11 and 09 & 19/12/24 - 16:00-17:30
Registration possible until 01/09/24

8. Collaborating successfully with others (all DS)

Takes place on 01/10/24 - 09:30-16:30
Registration possible until 15/09/24

9. Real creativity - a practical approach to problem solving (all DS)

Takes place on 02 & 03/10/24 - 09:30-16:30
Registration possible until 15/09/24

10. Bullet journaling as a tool for planning my research (all DS)

Takes place on 07/10/24 - 14:00-16:00
Registration possible until 15/09/24

11. Networking for researchers: the basics (all DS)

Takes place on 08/10/24 - 09:00-17:00
Registration possible until 08/09/24

12. Wellbeing inside-out: Researcher's wellbeing & speeddate (all DS)

Takes place on 10/10/24 - info supportive services (09:30-10:30) & speeddate (11:00-12:00)
Registration possible until 25/09/24

13. Wellbeing inside-out: How to be more confident (all DS)

Takes place (digitally) on 11/10/24 - 09:30-12:30
Registration possible until 25/09/24

14. Wellbeing inside-out: Omarm je speelsheid met improvisatietheater (all DS) (Dutch)

Takes place on 11/10/24 - 13:00-16:00
Registration possible until 25/09/24

15. Stress and resilience for researchers (all DS)

Takes place on 15/10 & 12/11/24 - 13:00-17:00
Registration possible until 15/09/24

16. Building effective habits (all DS)

Takes place on 16/10/24 - 13:00-17:00
Registration possible until 15/09/24

17. Turning science communication inside-out (all DS)

Takes place on 17/10/24 - 09:30-12:30
Registration possible until 20/09/24

18. Hack your brain: Unlocking your true potential and bringing your best performance (all DS)

Takes place on 21/10 (09:30-16:30) & 22/10/24 (09:30-16:00)
Registration possible until 16/09/24

19. Getting your research to the media (all DS)

Takes place on 23/10/24 - 09:30-16:30
Registration possible until 22/09/24

20. Public speaking & pitching: Bringing a clear story (all DS)

Takes place on 28 & 29/10 (10:00-15:30) & 30/10/24 (14:00-17:00)
Registration possible until 20/09/24

21. Schrijven voor niet-vakgenoten en pers (populairwetenschappelijk schrijven) (all DS) (Dutch)

Takes place (hybrid) on 15 & 22/11/24 - 09:30-17:00
Registration possible until 15/10/24

22. PhD Reflect & Connect: Artificial Intelligence (all DS)

Takes place on 26/11/24 - 15:30-18:00
Registration possible until 27/10/24

23. Postgraduaat Bedrijfskunde (all DS) (Dutch)

Takes place in academic year 2024-2025
Registration possible until 20/06/24

Details & registration

1. Meet the jury seminar 'The current issues of modern architectural heritage in Turkey' (all DS)

Takes place on 04/09/24 - 14:00-16:00
Registration possible until 28/08/24

2. Study week mathematics for industry (DS ST)

Takes place on 09-13/09/24 - 09:00-17/00
Registration possible until 15/08/24

3. Advanced Legal Practice Session (DS BSH - Faculty of Law)

Takes place on 23/09/24 - 12:00-14:00
Registration possible until 26/08/24

4. Stand out with your scientific poster (all DS)

Takes place on 25/09/24 - 09:30-16:30
Registration possible until 27/08/24

5. Information session on the Social and Societal Ethics Committee (DS BSH)

Takes place on 26/09/24 - 14:00-15:00
Registration possible until 26/08/24

6. Basics of academic writing (all DS)

Takes place on 30/09 & 01/10/24 - 09:00-17:00
Registration possible until 26/08/24

7. Conference "Functional Materials Engineering (DS ST)

Takes place on 30/09-03/10/24 - 09:00-17:00
Registration is required

8. Value proposition: Show the benefit of your research! (all DS)

Takes place on 07/10/24 - 09:00-13:00
Registration possible until 15/09/24

9. How to succeed in academic publishing, with visuals (all DS)

Takes place on 09/10/24 - 09:00-17:00
Registration possible until 15/09/24

10. Biosafety (DS HLS & ST)

Takes place on 14/10/24 - 13:30-16:30
Registration possible until 15/09/24

11. Infosession on intellectual property rights (DS ST)

Takes place on 05/11/24 - 09:00-12:00
Registration possible until 07/10/24

12. Show, don’t tell: Creating visuals about your research (all DS)

Takes place on 14 & 21/11/24 - 09:00-16:30
Registration possible until 14/10/24

13. Valorisation academy (all DS)

Takes place in academic year 2024-2025
Registration is required

14. Mind the GAP (Good Academic Practices) (all DS)

Takes place online (permanently accessible)

Details & registration

1. From academia to industry - personal brand building in your resume (all DS)

Takes place (digitally) on 18/09 (workshop: 12:00-14:00) & 25/09/24 (CV coaching: 30 min between 09:00-18:00)
Registration possible until 18/08/24

2. Career development trajectory: Gain insight into your talents and ambitions (all DS)

Takes place on 19/09, 03 & 24/10, 07 & 21/11 (13:00-17:30) & 12/12/24 (13:30-17:00)
Registration possible until 01/09/24

3. The researchpreneurship mindset bootcamp (all DS)

Takes place on 04-06/10/24
Registration possible until 15/09/24

4. Job shadowing (all DS)

Takes place on 07-18/10/24
Registration possible until 06/09/24

5. Wellbeing inside-out: Start to craft - building a meaningful job through job crafting (all DS)

Takes place on 10/10/24 - 15:00-16:30
Registration possible until 25/09/24

6. Demonstrating your competences in your CV, LinkedIn programme & cover letter to convince your future employer (all DS)

Takes place on 14/11 (workshop: 09:30-16:30) & 17/12/24 (coaching online: 30 min per person)
Registration possible until 13/10/24

7. Individual career coaching (all DS)

Continuous offer
Application is required

The doctoral schools partner with several other departments and organisations. Below is an overview of their upcoming activities. For more information regarding their course offer and acknowledgement in your doctoral school portfolio, please consult this webpage.

1. Education department

Most modules on education are organized in a demand-driven way which means that instructors/professors can 'order' a tailor-made workshop on a specific topic for a specific group of interested people. However, they also have a limited open course offer. These open courses can be found online.

2. Research data management (RDM)

All UHasselt researchers are expected to adhere to the UHasselt RDM policy plan and manage their data efficiently and with integrity. The RDM team can give you advice on data management planning, policies, best practices, tools, etc. You can contact them directly with your questions and/or follow one or more of their trainings. For their course offer, more information and registration, see their training calendar.

3. HR Department

Hasselt University encourages personal growth and development among its staff by offering all kinds of trainings and courses throughout the academic year. This offer is also open to all PhD researchers and postdoctoral researchers. Hungry for additional brainfood? Discover GoodHabitz, an online learning platform where you can choose from over 100 courses at your own pace and on your own schedule, available in 7 languages. Next to this offer, the career center also offers career support (workshops, mentoring, individual coaching,...) open to all staff, including all PhD researchers and postdoctoral researchers.

4. School of Expert Education (SEE)

Training for professionals, built on academic expertise with the aim of creating a unique learning environment to refine and broaden your expertise. You can find their course offer here (courses are mostly in Dutch).

5. Flanders’ training network for methodology and statistics (FLAMES)

Courses on statistics and methodology, which take place throughout the academic year at all Flemish universities. The FLAMES summer school and courses organized at Hasselt University are listed in this newsletter; the others can be found on the FLAMES website.

FLAMES Summer School 2024 (hybrid) - 09-20/09/24

6. Interuniversity course offer for young researchers

The doctoral schools of Hasselt University partner with the other four Flemish universities which results in an interuniversity course offer open for young researchers of the five partner universities.

7. EURECA-PRO

The EURECA-PRO Alliance consists of 9 partners who joined forces to enable students, researchers and staff to study, teach and research in the field of responsible consumption and production with the long-term goal of a joined virtual and integrated European campus until 2040. They also organize regular activities for (young) researchers.

8. Pitch Please

Pitch Please wil jongeren inspireren, informeren, uitdagen en ondersteunen om hun ondernemende kwaliteiten aan te scherpen. Een overzicht van de Pitch Please activiteiten kan je online terugvinden.

9. Flanders AI Academy (VAIA)

Courses and trainings on artificial intelligence for professionals and researchers in Flanders which take place throughout the academic year. In this newsletter only activities and trainings specifically organised or interesting for PhD students/postdocs are listed; the others can be found on the VAIA website.

10. Flemish Supercomputer Centre (VSC)