The Sydney Early-Mid Career Academic Network (SEMCAN) is seeking two new co-chairs to provide strategic direction, champion EMCR voices, and guide SEMCAN’s activities across the University. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your leadership qualities and create meaningful engagement amongst your cohort, and no one can attest to that better than this than the co-chairs since 2023, Marnee McKay and Andrew Grant. From restarting regular events after the disruption of COVID to running the annual Good Mentor Awards, both have worked tirelessly to strengthen the Sydney researcher experience.

We sat down with Andrew to ask him a few questions about his tenure as co-chair, and what SEMCAN’s next leaders have to look forward to as they step into his and Marnee’s shoes.

Looking back on your term as SEMCAN co-chair, what are you most proud of?

I am proud of organising events to help develop and showcase the talents of the early-to-mid career academics across the university. The connections and partnerships we have been able to form have created a bond among many of our colleagues. 

How has leading SEMCAN shaped your understanding of the EMCR community at Sydney?

I have learned that there are many similarities between the situations that early to mid career academics find themselves in, regardless of the faculty or school that we are working in. There is a lot of amazing work that people are doing in a nearby building or across the road, and a lot of potential for collaboration.

What skills or strengths did you develop or deepen through your leadership role?

Planning and organising meetings, events and marketing, learning about some of the more intricate side of finances, and helping to advocate for others.

What opportunities arose for you because you stepped into this role (for example collaborations, networks, committees, or professional learning)?

Many of the events that we've organised have had experienced researchers and administrators from across the university, and they have been very generous with their time and sharing wisdom. This has led to being able to help develop university strategies such as the AEF, mentoring opportunities, and even helping design training for Horizon Fellows.

What did you enjoy most about working with fellow EMCRs across faculties and disciplines?

It is not overly common to be on a committee of researchers from the broad spectrum of faculties. Finding out how differently things function in different fields, in terms of teaching and research, job requirements, and skillsets has given me an appreciation of the entirety of the job. It’s also great to know people in different faculties when networking.

What emerging needs or opportunities do you see for SEMCAN’s next chapter?

SEMCAN is aiming to help develop the skills of our academics and we have really touched on the need for mentoring (and demonstrating collegiality) across the campus. Finding ways of bringing the community together across faculties and tapping in to other EMCR networks would be a wonderful path going forwards.

How can new co-chairs continue strengthening the sense of community that you’ve helped shape?

Build from the lessons that we have learned about running events, and use the opportunity to highlight both the great work and challenges that early to mid career academics are facing. But you can organise events or ideas that you have always wanted to see!

Why would you encourage EMCRs to nominate themselves and take up this leadership opportunity?

It is great to be able to meet so many new people, and work together to support the development of our staff. Getting a sense of how things function at the university can only aid your own career going forward and springboard you into other leadership positions. And on top of that, everyone has been great to work with!