Doctoral Training & Network Activities

The BEYOND doctoral network held its first boot camp in Söderfors, Sweden, in November, bringing together doctoral candidates, supervisors, and partners for an intensive week of training, exchange, and collaboration.

The programme combined scientific sessions, professional development, and network-building activities. Early sessions focused on introducing the network, sharing research interests through poster presentations, and outlining expectations, outputs, and collaborative structures. A keynote lecture and discussions provided a shared scientific starting point for the cohort.

A full day was dedicated to researcher skills development, including academic writing, science communication, career planning, supervision practices, and effective use of individual study plans. These sessions emphasised reflection, peer interaction, and practical tools for doctoral training.

Scientific depth was further strengthened through sessions on research ethics, participant presentations of past, ongoing, and planned research, and structured “speed-dating” discussions to identify synergies across projects. Outdoor activities, including a guided hike and field visits, were integrated to encourage informal exchange and well-being.

The boot camp also included study visits and stakeholder engagement, highlighting pathways from research to societal impact, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The week concluded with discussions on data management, synthesis activities, dissemination, and future collaboration within the network.

Overall, the Söderfors boot camp laid a strong foundation for interdisciplinary collaboration, shared identity, and long-term scientific cooperation across the doctoral network.