"There is a lack of deep understanding of how science works, making it difficult for society to truly listen to the voice of science. Strengthening this understanding is crucial—and one way to do so is by encouraging more scientists to engage with science policy."

We are honored to welcome Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf, renowned physicist and former Minister of Science and Education in the Netherlands, for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of science and politics.

This episode is particularly valuable for early-career researchers who may be questioning their path, navigating career challenges, or striving to make a meaningful impact on the world. If you're looking for inspiration and guidance on how to turn scientific passion into societal change, this conversation is for you.

 In this episode, we explore:

The power of curiosity—how it drives scientific breakthroughs and career achievements
The struggles of an academic career—why challenges are an essential part of growth
The transition from science to policy—Prof. Dijkgraaf’s personal journey and insights

Join us as we bridge the gap between research and real-world impact.

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The need for skilled and professional research managers grows as research becomes more complex and competitive. These experts play a key role in supporting researchers—from identifying funding opportunities to navigating institutional processes to promoting research excellence.

Join us to explore how the RM ROADMAP project is paving the way for broader recognition, professional development, and new careers in research management (ERA Action 17).
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks , we will dive into the topic of recognizing research managers as a profession and examine the future directions that are expected to shape the field. To do that we had interview with two wonderful experts: Cristina Borras (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-borrass-44595512/) and Ana Ključarić (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-klju%C4%8Dari%C4%87-90763b26/?originalSubdomain=hr).
Listen now and discover how research directors are shaping the future of research!

More information: agaur.gencat.cat/en/internacionalitzacio/index.html

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Many Horizon Europe funding schemes focus on career development for researchers, but institutional change is also in the spotlight. Whether you're: 

An early-career researcher seeking new opportunities,
A research manager looking to stay ahead of the latest trends,
A university representative exploring how EU initiatives impact HR strategies, or
An industry leader wanting to understand the skills research managers need — this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks is for you!

Join us as we dive into the RM ROADMAP initiative, a pan-European effort to map skills, define career paths, and strengthen the recognition of research managers. Our guests, Michael Papadopoulos and Borana Taraj, will share the latest trends, insights, and opportunities for both researchers and institutions looking to excel.

Tune in to discover how research management can boost your career and drive institutional success!

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Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are the European Union’s flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers. MSCA support research excellence, mobility, and collaboration across borders, sectors, and disciplines. They offer funding for doctoral training, postdoctoral fellowships, staff exchanges, and co-funded programs, fostering career development at all stages. MSCA strengthens the European Research Area by promoting knowledge transfer and building global networks between academia, industry, and society, making it a cornerstone of EU research and innovation policy.

We are excited to present part 2 of this two-part series on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

In this episode we are honored to host Dr. Stefano Moncada and Dr. Pedro Manuel Sobral Pombo, Director and Marie Curie Research Officer, respectively, of the Islands and Small States Institute.
Part of the University of Malta, the Institute promotes research and training on economic, social, cultural, ecological and geographical aspects of islands and small states. 

Drs. Moncada and Pombo share how their journey with MSCA began and how they successfully navigated the application process. They discuss what it takes to develop a strong proposal, the realities of balancing research with administrative and mentoring responsibilities, and how their projects have evolved over time. They also reflect on lessons learned, offer advice for young researchers considering MSCA, and provide guidance for organizations working within the program. It is a thoughtful exploration of MSCA from application to impact.

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Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are the European Union’s flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers. MSCA support research excellence, mobility, and collaboration across borders, sectors, and disciplines. They offer funding for doctoral training, postdoctoral fellowships, staff exchanges, and co-funded programs, fostering career development at all stages. MSCA strengthens the European Research Area by promoting knowledge transfer and building global networks between academia, industry, and society, making it a cornerstone of EU research and innovation policy.

In part 1 of this two-part series on Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, we have the pleasure of interviewing Veronique Sordet- former MSCA National Contact Point in Switzerland and member of the MSCA-NET coordination team. We will dive into what makes MSCA so impactful for researchers and hear practical advice for those looking to apply for MSCA funding opportunities.

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In Part 2 of this two-part series “What Italian Industry Offers for Researchers”, we continue our exploration of how PhD holders can successfully transition from academia to corporate roles. 

We’ll hear from experts on what to expect when entering the private sector with a PhD, as well as dive into practical advice for the hiring process.

Our guests this episode are Stefania Bertone and Roberta Constantini. Stefania is a former HR Business Partner and current Site Head at Merck Group, a leading global science and technology company. Roberta is RPO Team Manager at Randstad HR Solutions, a multinational human resource consulting firm. Both come with a wealth of experience in the field of HR, especially in fields that are eager to hire PhDs.

Tune in to this episode to learn how to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and set yourself up for a successful career!

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In Part 1 of this 2-part series “Moving from academia to corporate roles - What Italian Industry Offers for Researchers”, we explore how PhD holders can successfully transition from academia to corporate roles. We delve into the recruitment process, uncover what makes PhDs stand out, and offer practical advice for career paths beyond research.

Our first guest in this episode is Lucia Salto, Career Development Facilitator for PhDs at the University of Torino. Lucia brings a wealth of experience in guiding doctoral candidates post-academia.

Our second guest is Filippo Armellino, HR Business Manager at Ferrero Group. Having worked in HR for nearly 2 decades and across numerous projects, Filippo gives us an inside look into the recruitment, training, and career evolution of PhD holders in the corporate world.

Tune in to this episode to learn how to bridge the gap between academia and industry, and set yourself up for a successful career!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the series “Moving from academia to corporate roles - What Italian Industry Offers for Researchers”

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The focus of this episode is on EURAXESS China. We are happy to welcome our experts, that are Halldor Berg representative of EURAXESS China, Lena Kaufmann researcher on China EU relationship, and Slaven Misljencevic Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.

Let’s explore not only China EU relationships but also people that make things happen.

We are happy to welcome Halldor Berg who is international relations professional with focus on Science Diplomacy and EU-China relations. With Masters in International Relations from Bejing University and B.A. in Politics, Philosophy and Economics from Bifrost University. Speaks English, Icelandic, Chinese, French and Danish.

As our next guest Let’s meet Lena Kaufmann a social anthropologist at the University of Zurich and China scholar specialized on trans local and global China, migration, rural-urban relations, agriculture, food, technology, knowledge and digitalization.

Our third guest in this episode is Slaven Misljencevic who works as Policy Officer in the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, more specifically in the unit R&I Actors and Research Careers. He is responsible for several initiatives that contribute to the realisation of a European labour market for researchers, notably the development of RESAVER pan-European occupational pension fund, ERA Hubs, European Year of Youth and EURAXESS. Moreover, he is responsible for the ongoing work on tackling R&I Foreign Interference. 

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EURAXESS Smart Talks invites you to explore the support measures and researchers’ path not only towards excellent research and scientific results but also while dealing with stress, anxiety and all the unpleasant feelings. Experts from the University of Luxembourg shared their vision and approach in guiding, coaching and mediating researchers in their daily work to gain sustainable results and know how to fight when working in a highly diverse team makes you overwhelmed. 

 Our first guest is Inma Peral Alonso, Research Facilitator at University of Luxembourg, Certified life coach / Career coaching expert. She coaches researchers, helps them be less alone, guiding to psychologists or resources. 

Second guest of the episode is Esther Zana-Nau, HR Programme Manager Doctoral Training, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research, Certified mediator. Since 2015, Esther is in charge of the coordination of the LISER Doctoral Training Programme. Responsible for developing the National Quality Framework for Doctoral Training at LISER, she liaises with the University and other Research Institutes to expand the training offer and harmonize regulations and procedures. As trained mediator since 2019, she has intervened in various conflicts between members of teams from different research centers and universities.

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EURAXESS Smart Talks introduces a very diverse and very supportive ecosystem - University of Luxembourg. Let us take you to all the opportunities that are available for the incoming researchers. We will explore how EURAXESS could support you with the help of a very experienced and knowing professional Dr. Alienor Didier with an overview of Luxembourg research ecosystem and different mentoring schemes that are of great help for researchers, to show them the opportunities and guide them through their challenges.

Our second guest  - Frédérique Deblock Learning and Development Team Leader University of Luxembourg.  Frédérique’s team recently set up the training “Building Resilience for Researchers – Learn how to incorporate resilience into your life as a researcher” besides the training for supervisors to help researchers improve the quality of their supervision.These workshop formats complement the mental health and well-being offer from the service of student life department to ensure researchers receive tailor-made support adapted to their respective role within the research ecosystem.

 During the episode we will cover other topics on how to overcome other challenges related to a researcher’s career which could be:to transition successfully outside academia ( 2getthereand REBECA by EURAXESS) or to progress within academia as a female researcher (ADVANCE mentoring programme of the University of Luxembourg).

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The European Research Council (ERC) is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It gives creative researchers across Europe the support to run cutting-edge projects. The overall ERC budget is more than €16 billion (2021-2027).
ERC Grants can change the trajectory of a researcher’s career– which explains why over 100,000 research proposals have been made to the organisation. This also means that competition is fierce. The multi-stage application process is daunting for any researcher at any stage.
EURAXESS Smart Talks are excited to present “Decoding ERC Grants: Strategies for Success,” a two-part mini-series on the ERC Grant proposal process. We will tackle difficult questions that researchers face when applying for an ERC grant, and provide clear advice on how to take your research proposal to the next level.
On this episode, we sit down with Prof. Dr. Maximilian Schich, Professor for Cultural Data Analytics and the ERA Chair holder at Tallinn University. Prof. Schich is a multidisciplinary scientist and art historian with post-doc experience in network science and computational social science, as well as an ERC grant proposal panellist.
Armed with his experience as a panellist, Prof. Schich has very practical and relevant advice for researchers looking to fund their projects. We’ll walk through the panel process and shed light on what makes a good presentation– and what makes a bad one. You’ll walk away with a clearer image of what to expect when you walk into the panel room.
All that and more– on the EURAXESS Smart Talks Podcast!
To learn more about Prof. Schich and the groundbreaking work he does:
https://www.schich.info
https://cudan.tlu.ee
For more information on ERC grants, visit the ERC website:
https://erc.europa.eu/homepage
To find out more about EURAXESS and the services we provide, head to:
https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/

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The European Research Council (ERC) is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It gives creative researchers across Europe the support to run cutting-edge projects. The overall ERC budget is more than €16 billion (2021-2027).

ERC Grants can change the trajectory of a researcher’s career– which explains why over 100,000 research proposals have been made to the organisation. This also means that competition is fierce. The multi-stage application process is daunting for any researcher at any stage. 

EURAXESS Smart Talks are excited to present “Decoding ERC Grants: Strategies for Success,” a two-part mini-series on the ERC Grant proposal process. We will tackle difficult questions that researchers face when applying for an ERC grant, and provide clear advice on how to take your research proposal to the next level.

Join us on this episode as we have the pleasure of hosting Dafna Gold Melchior, scientific & entrepreneurial communication clarifier. Dafna assists experts in making their complex work clear and accessible, helping them communicate their research and innovations effectively in high-stakes situations. With a degree in communication from Haifa University and a masters in conflict research from Hebrew University, Dafna has developed her interdisciplinary clarification skill set over her 20 years of helping researchers and entrepreneurs win grants, investments, tenders and competitions.

We’ll cover how to present novel ideas confidently, how to communicate with experts from different backgrounds, and how to approach the Synergy grant.

On the next episode, we will hear from Prof. Dr. Maximilian Schich, an ERC grant proposal reviewer. Dr. Schich will provide us with a deeper look into the ERC panel peer review process.

All that and more– on the EURAXESS Smart Talks Podcast!

If you would like to get in contact with Dafna:

Website- http://www.letsclarify.it/

Email- dafna@letsclarify.it 

LinkedIn- Dafna Gold Melchior

For more information on ERC grants, visit the ERC website:

https://erc.europa.eu/homepage

To find out more about EURAXESS and the services we provide, head to:

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/

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Switzerland is known for its stunning landscapes, world-class education, and cutting-edge research. It has become a sought-after destination for researchers from around the globe. In this episode, we will explore the unique offerings of EURAXESS Switzerland, a gateway that opens doors to remarkable research opportunities and facilitates integration for international researchers.

Together, we’ll delve into the various aspects of researcher mobility in Switzerland, uncovering the possibilities that lie within its renowned universities, prestigious research institutions, and vibrant scientific communities.
Our first guest, Maddalena Tognola, an expert from the Grant Office at the University of Bern, takes us on an exploration of the cultural differences within Switzerland and delves into how her team provides invaluable support to both international and local researchers. 

Next, we hear from two distinguished voices in the Swiss research community. Seraina Munton, Research & Project Manager at EU GrantsAccess, a joint office of ETH Zurich and the University of Zurich, and Sarah Daepp, the National Coordinator of EURAXESS Switzerland, enlighten us about Switzerland's role in the European Research Area. 

Lastly, we are privileged to listen to the experiences and insights of Professor Mira Burri, professor of International Economic and Internet Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lucerne. Professor Burri shares her personal journey of moving to Switzerland as an academic, offering a unique researcher's perspective that will inspire and guide fellow scholars.

Each guests’ extensive knowledge and expert advice are invaluable for incoming researchers seeking to make their mark on the Swiss research landscape. Whether you're considering Switzerland for your research endeavours or simply curious about the opportunities it presents, this episode is your comprehensive guide to Switzerland. Tune in to gain the knowledge, advice, and inspiration you need to navigate the Swiss research community successfully.

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The rapid development of artificial intelligence and its increasing application require each country to create its own artificial intelligence strategy. In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Leah Nerenberg will discuss with guests why artificial intelligence strategy is important and how to develop it, taking Serbia as an example of good practice.

Guests for this episode include three exceptional guests.

First guest Dr Dubravko Ćulibrk is a Professor of Information Systems Engineering at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, and certified instructor of Nvidia Deep Learning Institute. Since March 2021 he has been dedicating most of his time and effort to developing and heading The Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Institute of Serbia.

Second guest is Vukašin Gozdić the State Secretary of the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia. Since 2016, he has been employed in the Cabinet of the Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government, and since 2017, he has been engaged as an advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia on the implementation of projects in the field of digitization, education, science, social entrepreneurship, the labor market and other areas of interest to the Government. Since 2022, he has been the State secretary in the Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation.

Last guest, Stefan Badža worked as an analyst in the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government on public sector reform. He now works in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia on projects that focus on improving the IT and Innovation ecosystem in Serbia, and that are helping transform Serbia into a knowledge-based economy. Some of the key projects that he works on are developing the network on Science and Technological Parks in Serbia, startup ecosystem and research and innovation in the artificial intelligence field. Stefan Badža is creator of Serbian Strategy for AI and advisor in the cabinet of the Prime Minister of Serbia.

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In this episode  of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Leah Nerenberg will discuss Artificial Intelligence. It is one of the fastest-growing and most popular data-driven technologies being used all around the world. 

ChatGPT, a new AI text based interface made headlines as it gained 1 million users in just 5 days after launching. Today, it has over 100 million users and has been visited 1.8 billion times. Clearly, AI is exploding in popularity, entering every field - from marketing to biology and everything in between!

Understanding AI’s intricacies becomes crucial for researchers seeking to push the boundaries of knowledge. From its ability to crunch massive datasets to uncover hidden patterns, to its potential to automate complex tasks, this episode discusses the valuable new role AI is beginning to play in enhancing research and opening up new frontiers of discovery.

This episode will introduce AI and provide you with the important basics to understand this complex technology, and how to use it. We will then focus on Serbia’s private sector and AI research-based startups.

Guests for this episode include professor Milan Zdravković, established researcher in the field of AI, currently working at the Laboratory for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems, University of Niš and Djordje Mitić, CEO and owner of the company Naissus technologies, Niš, Serbia.

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To remain in academia or to leave - that is the question! On this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Leah Nerenberg will explore the stories of researchers and academics who transitioned to careers beyond academia, all through the lens of Spain. 

Guests for this episode include Dr. Izaskun Lacunza, a science policy practitioner running the International Projects Unit at the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), Dr. Gaizka Otaegi, head of EMEA Strategic Projects at GLG, and Dr. Sofía Cabezudo, research manager in the Spanish National Cancer Association and former mentee of the REBECA program.

The episode includes personal stories, important lessons learned and unique insights into the beyond academia career path. 

Thanks for listening!

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Is entrepreneurship a feasible career option for researchers? How can EURAXESS help young researchers develop a career in entrepreneurship? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and Ph.Ds. who made this transition successfully. 

In part one of this episode, we will hear insights and tips for young talents from Prof. Milan Zdravkovic, leader of the EURAXESS Hubs project entrepreneurship initiative. We will also hear Vaido Mikheim, a participant in the EURAXESS Hubs start-up tour who will share his perspectives on the Estonian start-up ecosystem. In part two of this episode, we will hear the inspiring success story of Nobel prize winner Prof. Dan Shechtman, who will share his tips and insights as an experienced mentor in entrepreneurship, at the prestigious Israel Institute of Technology, the Technion. These episodes cover challenges researchers face in the transition from academia to entrepreneurship. 

Keywords: entrepreneurship, talents, science, career, startup, start-up ecosystem, business, academia-industry interface, European researchers. 

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Is entrepreneurship a feasible career option for researchers? How can EURAXESS help young researchers develop a career in entrepreneurship? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and Ph.Ds. who made this transition successfully. 

In part one of this episode, we will hear insights and tips for young talents from Prof. Milan Zdravkovic, leader of the EURAXESS Hubs project entrepreneurship initiative. We will also hear Vaido Mikheim, a participant in the EURAXESS Hubs start-up tour who will share his perspectives on the Estonian start-up ecosystem. In part two of this episode, we will hear the inspiring success story of Nobel prize winner Prof. Dan Shechtman, who will share his tips and insights as an experienced mentor in entrepreneurship, at the prestigious Israel Institute of Technology, the Technion. These episodes cover challenges researchers face in the transition from academia to entrepreneurship. 

Keywords: entrepreneurship, talents, science, career, startup, start-up ecosystem, business, academia-industry interface, European researchers. 

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Why do researchers need to explore careers beyond academia? How can EURAXESS help young researchers in career development? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and two life stories of Ph.Ds. who made this transition successfully.

In part one of this episode, we will hear insights and tips learned from the successful Rebeca mentoring EURAXESS project, by Mr. Xavier Eekhout, followed by an interview with Dr. Tomas De Garay Herrera, a graduate of this program. We will also hear an in-depth explanation of how EURAXESS can help young researchers in career development by Ms. Dalila Coviello, Information Systems Coordinator for the EURAXESS EU portal.  

In part two of this episode, we will hear tips from an experienced career expert, Mr. Dean Hogan,  and then an inspiring success story about the transition from academia to a high-level position in industry from Dr. Udo Greiser, as well as more useful updated information from Mr. Slaven Misljencevic, a policy officer of Directorate-General for research and Innovation of the European Commission. These episodes cover specific obstacles researchers face in the transition from academia to industry,  as well as practical advice and important tips from experts in the field. 

Keywords: talents, science, career, business, academia-industry interface, European researchers, beyond academia, mentoring, career path mobility, transition from academia to industry, European labour market. 

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Why do researchers need to explore careers beyond academia? How can EURAXESS help young researchers in career development? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and two life stories of Ph.Ds. who made this transition successfully.

In part one of this episode, we will hear insights and tips learned from the successful Rebeca mentoring EURAXESS project, by Mr. Xavier Eekhout, followed by an interview with Dr. Tomas De Garay Herrera, a graduate of this program. We will also hear an in-depth explanation of how EURAXESS can help young researchers in career development by Ms. Dalila Coviello, Information Systems Coordinator for the EURAXESS EU portal.  

In part two of this episode, we will hear tips from an experienced career expert, Mr. Dean Hogan,  and then an inspiring success story about the transition from academia to a high-level position in industry from Dr. Udo Greiser, as well as more useful updated information from Mr. Slaven Misljencevic, a policy officer of Directorate-General for research and Innovation of the European Commission. These episodes cover specific obstacles researchers face in the transition from academia to industry,  as well as practical advice and important tips from experts in the field. 

 Keywords: talents, science, career, business, academia-industry interface, European researchers, beyond academia, mentoring, career path mobility, transition from academia to industry, European labour market. 

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What is the actual situation of women in academia? What are the European policies and the reality in academia? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and two unique female Ph.D. stories.

In part one of this episode,  we will hear tips and insights from two fascinating interviews with Ms. Oriana Bertucci, a career expert, and Dr. Giovanna Debernardi who obtained a  PhD in international private Law in parallel to certification as a Judge. 

In part two of this episode, we will meet Prof. Tali Mass, from Israel,  a 2020 recipient of the prestigious ERC grant, and Dr. Anne Pepin, a Senior Policy Officer in the Gender Sector of the European Commission's DG Research and Innovation. These episodes covered recent developments in EU policy, measures toward closing the gender gap, and practical tips for work-life balance.

Keywords: gender, work-life balance, talents, science, career, European researchers, ERC, gender policy, gender gap, women in academia, female researchers. 

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What is the actual situation of women in academia? What are the European policies and the reality in academia? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and two unique female Ph.D. stories.

In part one of this episode,  we will hear tips and insights from two fascinating interviews with Ms. Oriana Bertucci, a career expert, and Dr. Giovanna Debernardi who obtained a  PhD in international private Law in parallel to certification as a Judge. 

In part two of this episode, we will meet Prof. Tali Mass, from Israel,  a 2020 recipient of the prestigious ERC grant, and Dr. Anne Pepin, a Senior Policy Officer in the Gender Sector of the European Commission's DG Research and Innovation. These episodes cover recent developments in EU policy, measures toward closing the gender gap, and practical tips for work-life balance.
Keywords: gender, work-life balance, talents, science, career, European researchers, ERC, gender policy, gender gap, women in academia, female researchers. 

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