Shaping the future: Young researchers' dialogue
In the ongoing phase of work, SUMERNET has broadened its scope for capacity building to build the skills of our young and early-career researchers. The aim is to establish a network of young researchers within SUMERNET and create a platform for sharing experiences, key challenges, and opportunities related to doing research especially to learn from the more experienced researchers.
By Oung Kham Oo
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Mar 30, 2021
This young researchers’ initiative emerged after discussions among mentors, advisors, and SUMERNET Steering Committee members concluded that more activities and initiatives organized for, and by, young researchers would greatly enhance SUMERNET work among partners.
Young researchers
For example, before organizing an event, a short survey will be designed and sent out to collect feedback from young researchers to find out about their background, what topic they want to discuss about, when it can happen, who will participate, and how it will be organized. From the first survey collected in March, a total of 14 respondents from different countries in the Mekong Region provided their inputs.
Among the survey respondents, the expertise of young professionals varies to include agricultural and environmental economics, air pollution and atmospheric modelling, water and natural resource management, development and human geography, etc. We also found out that the topics that early-career researchers want to learn more about include proposal writing; how to publish a journal in top peer-review journals; social media and communication training: how to write blogs and captions; project management; and research methodology such as combining conventional and new emerging methods for online and offline data.
Recently, a roundtable was held to bring together the young researchers. Dr. Louis Lebel shared his presentation on “Writing Successful Research Proposals” following those basic steps and guideline. (One) The first step starts with a screening of the research proposal calls; a topic of interest, timing, eligibility, deadline, and budget; (Two) The second step is the scope of the research; what is the problem, how to solve it and purpose; (Three) It is selecting the research partner; motivated, available, engaged, and inspiring; (Four) It is designing the research proposal. After Dr Louis’s presentation, the participants followed up with Q&A and discussed their challenges while designing the research proposals. Participants also had a friendly and open discussion about how to move forward with the future roundtable discussions for the development of young researchers and further networking opportunities.
SUMERNET will continue its efforts to work closely with partner organizations to support early career researchers in the Mekong Region in their professional growth and development.
On 22nd March, SUMERNET Youth Network organized a “roundtable discussion on writing successful research proposals” with the participation of around 15 young researchers from different SUMERNET partner organizations. The event was organized by a team of young researchers and SUMERNET fellows in SEI Asia center, Bangkok, Thailand. Dr Louis Lebel, one of the SSC members, kindly participated as a resource person to share his expertise and knowledge.
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This story is part of the following project
SUMERNET 4 All: Engaging with water insecurity in the Mekong Region
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