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.
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Meet the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee represents the Forum at Committee and Council level. They are expected to listen to and represent the needs of the general membership of the Forum and feed this information into their respective committees.
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How do I sign up and join the EC Forum?
Find out how to sign up to the EC Forum.
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Resources
Download and find links to resources related to the EC Forum.
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EC Forum Summer Conference
Each year, the Early Career (EC) Forum hosts its flagship Summer Conference dedicated to showcasing early career research, career development and networking.
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EC Forum Online 2021: Presenting and networking online
Find out about the EC Forum Online 2021 event, taking place on the EC Forum LinkedIn group on 16 March.
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EC Forum Online 2020
Find out about the EC Forum Online 2020 event, taking place on the EC Forum LinkedIn group on 16–17 July.
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Safeguarding the Future of the Microbiology Research and Innovation Workforce
The Microbiology Society has published a position statement entitled ‘Safeguarding the Future of the Microbiology Research and Innovation Workforce’, calling for employers, funders and governments to prioritise and better support early career microbiologists (ECMs).
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.