Building on the success of previous conferences, the programme included a motivational keynote address by Harry Witchel, Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Physiology, and a talk by John Bothwell, a BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) Postdoctoral Research assistant at the Marine Biological Association in Plymouth, who helps to organise the National Research Staff Association of the UK. Activities included workshop sessions on making the transition from postgraduate student to researcher, contract security, grant writing, mentoring, work-life balance and new career pathways.

The conference was as well received as ever, with the following comments among the positive feedback: ‘I gained a deeper understanding of the issues facing research staff and other staffing issues within the university’; ‘I enjoyed being part of something larger than my small research group’; and ‘It was a good opportunity to take stock and plan my career’.

The annual research staff conference is a Positive Working Environment initiative. This year, the event was sponsored by Totem Design, Thermae Bath Spa, jobs.ac.uk and TMP Worldwide.