Researchers can be brought together by shared interests, shared disciplines, or, in the case of the Westmead Research Hub, shared space and partnership. The Hub’s EMCR Committee is chaired by Dr Alexandra O'Donohue from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Engineering and Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, and she answered some questions alongside her deputy co-chair, Dr Scott Read from the Western Sydney Local Health District and Western Sydney University, about how their committee establishes events and initiatives for researchers from its many partner institutions for the first in the Researcher Development Hub’s EMCR Networks Stories Series.

How is the Westmead Research Hub EMCR Committee structured and how are members recruited?

Alexandra: Our committee is the largest it’s been in a while. Committee members are typically recruited through an expression of interest (EOI) process. Last year we had a large call for new members and received more than 25 applications. Because we had the capacity, we were able to expand the committee.

We currently have around 25 members, including one non-voting member and two executive representatives. Because we represent a range of partners across the Westmead hub, we try to ensure each organisation has representation on the committee. These include the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health Pathology (ICPMR), CSIRO and the University of Sydney.

The Westmead Research Hub is a collaborative research environment rather than being tied to a single university. Many researchers are affiliated with the University of Sydney, but others work across health districts, institutes and universities. Membership also changes over time as people move on or finish their roles, so we regularly bring in new members to keep the committee active and bring in fresh ideas.

Scott: Our committee sits under the Westmead Research Hub, which helps bring together these different partners across the precinct. The goal is to create a stronger research community across organisations that might otherwise work in silos.

Approximately how many EMCRs do you support across the Westmead precinct?

Alexandra: That’s a tricky question. We don’t have a clear number, because each of the partner organisations across the precinct can’t provide a definitive count of their EMCRs. What we do have is our own mailing list and newsletter, which people can subscribe to. That currently has over 300 contacts, although we can’t say that all of those are EMCRs. In terms of engagement, our largest event — the annual symposium — typically attracts around 100 to 120 attendees. More regular events usually see around 30 participants, depending on the format. From my perspective, I’d estimate that around 100 EMCRs might regularly engage with our events, but that’s just an approximation.

Scott: I’d say the community is probably larger than that when you consider the broader precinct — particularly clinicians in the hospital who are also undertaking PhDs or other postgraduate research. So the actual number is likely larger.

What kinds of events do you run?

Alexandra: Our events are generally open to everyone across the hub and focus on broad research development topics rather than specific disciplines. Recent events have included workshops on topics such as generative AI in research, run in partnership with the Sydney Informatics Hub.

We also run social events, such as a welcome barbecue at the start of the year, as well as career-focused activities like presentation skills workshops and career transition panels. Those panels explore career stages such as moving from PhD to postdoc, from early postdoc to mid-career researcher, and eventually into leadership roles. We also have larger programs such Mentorship program and Annual EMCR Symposium.

How do you decide which initiatives to run, and what does your process look like?

Alexandra: We hold a monthly committee meeting where we discuss big-picture priorities and upcoming events. Within the committee, smaller working groups then manage specific initiatives. 

At the beginning of each year, we hold a strategic planning session to review feedback from previous events and identify what our community needs. From there, different teams take responsibility for planning specific programs. For example, our annual symposium is a large event, so that working group meets frequently in the lead-up. Smaller workshops or seminars might only require a few planning meetings.

Scott: We try to avoid duplication with the many institutes in the precinct that already offer their own training or development programs. We try to keep our events broad and complementary, and we regularly communicate with other groups to coordinate activities and avoid overlap.

Alexandra: We also rely heavily on feedback. 

How do you promote your events?

Alexandra: Our newsletter is the main communication channel. We also promote events through LinkedIn, X, virtual and physical posters across the different institutes, and word of mouth.

Scott: Even with those strategies, attracting people to events can still be challenging. Attendance patterns changed after COVID, and more researchers now work remotely. Word of mouth is extremely important, and our committee members play a key role in encouraging colleagues to attend.

What are your key priorities for 2026?

Scott: A major focus remains facilitating collaboration across the hub. These events often lead to conversations that spark research collaborations. For example, one institute might specialise in genomics while another focuses on proteomics and bringing researchers together can lead to new partnerships.

Alexandra: We also aim to strengthen the sense of community among EMCRs. Some postdocs may be the only early-career researcher in their group, so having a broader network can make a big difference in helping them feel supported.

Have there been any unexpected or creative ideas that have taken off?

Alexandra: One idea we’re excited about is a “Nerd Night” we’re planning for later in the year. It came out of a strategic planning session where we were thinking about how to build presentation skills in a way that felt low-pressure and fun. The concept is basically a presentation night where people can speak for a few minutes on something they’re passionate about. It doesn’t have to be directly related to their research area. The idea is that it gives people a chance to practise speaking in front of an audience, while keeping the atmosphere informal and enjoyable. Because everyone in science tends to have their own niche interests, it felt like a good way to combine confidence-building with a social event.

Scott: It’s also a nice example of how new committee members bring in fresh ideas. As the committee has grown, we’ve had more opportunities to try different formats and think creatively about what engagement can look like.

What is an example of an initiative you have run that has had significant impact?

Scott: Our mentor program. Last year we had around 40 mentor–mentee pairings. The program has become very popular, and many mentors return each year. Initially it focused primarily on academic careers, but we’ve increasingly tried to include mentors from industry sectors such as biotech, pharma and medical writing, because many early-career researchers are interested in those pathways.

Why did you take on leadership roles in the committee?

Alexandra: I joined the committee initially as a general member because I was an early postdoc and wanted to connect with other researchers. I was the only postdoc in my group at the time, so joining the committee helped me meet people across the hub. After a couple of years, the previous chair encouraged me to run for the position, and then I was elected by the committee.

Scott: I’ve been at Westmead for about 15 years, starting as a PhD student. I joined what was then called the Westmead Researchers Society early on, and I’ve stayed involved ever since. The committee has grown enormously during that time. When the deputy chair role became available, I put my hand up because I felt I could contribute experience and help support the leadership team.

What advice would you share with other EMCR committees or network organisers? 

Scott: In practical terms, offering incentives such as food, prizes or travel awards can significantly increase engagement.

Alexandra: Listening to your community is also critical. Not everyone fills out feedback forms, but informal conversations during events can provide valuable insight into what people actually want from our committee.

Scott: Timing and location are also important. In a large precinct like Westmead, access to buildings and travel between sites can affect attendance, so choosing accessible venues makes a big difference.

Alexandra: And it’s important to recognise that EMCRs are at different life stages. Offering events at different times —mornings, lunch hours, and occasionally evenings — helps ensure everyone can participate.