Early Career Forum

The Early Career (EC) Forum was established in 2016 to give early career members of the Society a way to influence our work. Every member starting out in their microbiology career is invited to join the Forum. Members of the Forum are kept in the loop about opportunities of interest within the Society, and are eligible to vote for the Executive Committee – a group of EC Forum members which steers the group.

Who can be part of the EC Forum?

All members of the Society are welcome to join the Forum. As a guide, we consider you an early career member if you’re an undergraduate or postgraduate student, or within five years of appointment to your first position after your highest qualification earned. However, if this doesn’t fit your situation and you consider yourself an early career scientist working in a microbiology, you are welcome to join. This group is not just for academic scientists. We want to take the views of all microbiologists, whether you are medical, clinical, veterinary, industrial or working in other relevant fields, into account as we make the Society work for you.

Why you should join

In addition to the benefits of the Society membership that all Society members enjoy, EC Forum member benefits include:

  • Exclusive access to free places on selected training courses for core skills.
  • Discounted access to EC-focused conferences and meetings including the flagship EC Forum Summer Conference.
  • Eligibility for an EC Forum poster prize if presenting at the Annual Conference.
  • Eligibility to apply for the EC Co-chairing Scheme at the Annual Conference.
  • The right to run for a position and vote for your elected representatives on the Executive Committee and its subgroups.

Watch our video below to find out what Former Early Career Forum Chair-Elect Colman O'Cathail has to say about the EC Forum.

Images

Meet the Executive Committee: iStock/millann.
How do I sign up to the EC Forum?: iStock/ArtemSam.
Resources: iStock.
EC Forum Online 2020 and EC Forum Online 2021: Microbiology Society.