Young Investigators Retreat (YIR)

Bosch Young Investigator Retreat, Kioloa - 23 February 2010

On Tuesday 23rd February a group of young investigators and academics set off for the 4th annual Bosch Young Investigators Retreat, held at ANU’s Kioloa Coastal Campus on the South Coast. We arrived just after lunch and started the first session in which all participants practiced and developed public speaking and presentation skills. Other workshops held during the retreat were focused on career development, scientific writing, and life after a PhD. All young investigators had the opportunity to take part in a mentoring session with a senior academic, to seek guidance on future career choices.

During the free time, participants made the most of the beautiful Shell Beach at Kioloa, just across the road from the campus. Body surfing, beach cricket and “nippers” were amongst the activities on offer. On the second night of the retreat a trivia night was held, showcasing the excellent team work and analytical skills of all participants. Late nights were spent chatting around the campfire and dodging kangaroos.

“The retreat was a valuable experience for me and my fellow peers. It incorporated learning in a leisurely manner which was great. Interactions with latter year PhD students as well as the academics was invaluable. It was helpful for me to set my priorities right at this early stage of my PhD studies. Will definitely recommend going for one to everyone next year.”
-1st year PhD student

"The retreat was such a good experience! I really liked the opportunity to speak to the academics in a more informal way and to get to know that there are so many ways to become what you are aiming for! Also, sharing experiences with students from different research areas was really cool!"
-2nd year PhD student

“Retreat was a great opportunity to get to know people from other disciplines as well as the academics that came. I was personally encouraged by the stories of academics when they were sharing their experiences after completion of PhDs and their career paths.”
[[i|-3rd year PhD student]]

“Once again I thoroughly enjoyed the retreat. The balance of academics, post-docs, later PhDs and early PhDs was the best so far. It was also great to see new faces in all areas (especially academics Rachel Codd, Claire Goldsbury and Nick Cole). I sincerely hope that the retreat continues into the future!!”
-Late stage PhD student

“Yet again, the Bosch retreat was a lot of fun! The academics were full of excellent advice and inspiration. I found it to be a very motivational experience.”
- Postdoc

“I really liked the mix between PhD students at any point in their candidature (not yet started, 1-3 year etc) and the postdoctoral scientists. I think it’s really valuable for the PhD students to see there is a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ and the various stepping stones towards an academic career. I also liked the ‘everyone needs to pitch in and help’ atmosphere.”
-Academic

Thanks must go to the five senior academics who attended, Frank Lovicu, Steve Assinder, Rachel Codd, Nick Cole and Clare Goldsbury, for their expert advice and direction. On behalf of the Bosch Young Investigators Committee I would like to pay a special thank you to Frank Lovicu for the extra organizational effort that he puts into events such as this retreat, year after year.

2007 saw the first edition of the Young Investigators Retreat (YIR) held in picturesque Kioloa (south coast of NSW). The retreat was a huge success both academically, and socially, with Young Investigators from across the bosch institute, as well as a number of invited academics interacting in a fun and informal setting.

In 2008 and 2009, this new tradition continued, with great success!

As with the the inaugural retreat, the YIR V4.0 will be composed of:

• Research seminars by PhD students and Postdocs
• Professional Development seminars by Bosch institute academics
• Poster sessions

All embedded in a social program that includes group meals, and evening drinks (and more drinks!), as well as interactive social activities like bush-walking, and trivia.