2025 Postdoc Appreciation Week
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Additional Events
The UCalgary Postdoctoral Office is celebrating the 7th annual Postdoc Appreciation Week from September 22 - 26 to highlight our community's important work and significant contributions.
Monday, September 22
Transdisciplinarity in Focus: A PDAW Breakfast Session
Join us at the Postdoc Appreciation Week Breakfast for a deliciously enlightening morning! Indulge in a hot breakfast buffet and enjoy a session on transdisciplinarity tailored specifically for postdoctoral researchers! This session for PDAW will provide valuable insights into transdisciplinarity on campus, and how postdocs can get involved!
What you will learn:
- What is transdisciplinary scholarship?
- How does the University of Calgary support Transdisciplinary initiatives, and what resources exist for postdocs wanting to get involved?
- How can postdoctoral scholars engage and lead within the Graduate College?
- How do you build connections on, and beyond, campus?
- Success stories of transdisciplinarity on campus
Monday, September 22 | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Main Campus | Collision Space, Hunter Hub 4th Floor
Active Living: Pilates
Pilates is a full-body workout as the exercises develop the body through muscular efforts that stem from the core. This class focuses on repetitive exercises performed on a yoga mat along with other equipment to build strength, mobility and flexibility. Open to all fitness levels
Equipment will be provided by Active Living.
Monday, September 22 | 12:05 - 12:55 p.m.
Location: Main Campus | KNA 162
Tuesday, September 23
How to prepare for a Teaching-focused Career
Are you passionate about teaching and considering a career where education takes center stage? Join us for a practical session on building a strong foundation for a teaching-focused path in academia and beyond. We’ll discuss strategies for showcasing pedagogical skills in job applications through developing a strong teaching dossier and preparing for effective teaching demonstrations.
This event will provide actionable advice, resources, and insights from the Taylor Institute's Educational Development Consultant to help you thrive in a teaching-centered role.
Tuesday, September 23 | 10:00 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Online | Zoom
Union Connect: Conversation & Community
Join us for an engaging session where postdocs can connect directly with their PDAC union representatives, ask questions, and learn more about the support, resources, and initiatives available to you. This event is not just about information—it’s about building community. Come to share your experiences, expand your network, and discover how your union can help you thrive both professionally and personally. So bring your questions and stay for the community while having some fun. A light lunch will be provided.
Tuesday, September 23 | 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Main Campus | MacKimmie Tower | 7th Floor | MT 701
Headshot Photography Sessions
These professional headshots are great for symposiums, social profiles, job applications, and more. This year, postdocs can choose from three days: one day at the Foothills Campus, one day at the Main Campus, and a third day with sessions at both campuses.
As spaces are limited, you can only sign up for one time slot.
Tuesday Sept. 23
Foothills Campus
HSC Bridge check-in
Wednesday, Sept. 24
Foothills Campus
HSC Bridge check-in
Wednesday Sept. 24
Main Campus
MacKimmie Tower | 7th Floor | MT 714
Thursday Sept. 25
Main Campus
MacKimmie Tower | 7th Floor | MT 714
Wednesday, September 24
Zumba
Forget you’re working out—this is a dance party with non-stop energy! Groove to the beat of salsa, reggaeton, and hip-hop, all while getting your heart pumping and your body moving. It’s a full-body workout that’s more fun than a night out, and no experience is needed. Just bring your energy, hit the floor, and let the music take over!
Open to all fitness levels
This class is hosted by Active Living.
Wednesday, September 24 | 12:05 -12:55 p.m.
Location: Main Campus | KNA 117
Thursday, September 25
Portrait Drawing Class
Join a fun sketching workshop to explore how to draw a human portrait. With guidance from an experienced instructor, you will learn a step-by-step approach to build up human portraiture, based on general proportions, and placement of facial features in order to capture likeness in portraiture. Various mannequins will be used for the workshop. No prior experience is required and the supplies for the workshop will be provided. Come and have fun!
Thursday, September 25 | 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Main Campus | Arts Building and Parkade | 7th Floor | Room AB 710
Additional Events
CSM Postdoc Appreciation Week Events
From September 15 - 19
September 15 | 2:00 p.m. | Online | Zoom
September 16 | 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. | Foothills Campus | W21C Multipurpose Room
September 16 | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Foothills Campus | HRIC Atrium
September 17 | 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Foothills Campus | HRIC Atrium
September 17 | 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Foothills Campus | o.1500
September 17 | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Foothills Campus | o.1500
September 18 |1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Foothills Campus | W21C Multipurpose Room
September 19 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 p.m. | Foothills Campus | Libin Theatre
September 19 | 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Foothills Campus | Outside Libin Theater
Canadian Association of Postdoctoral Scholars Events
From September 16 - 19
September 16 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Online | Zoom
With: Olamide Adebiyi (University of Saskatchewan), Sambhavi Chandrashekar (Desire2Learn), Justine Cléry (McGill University)
Moderator: Chanele Polenz
September 17 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Online | Zoom
With: Kathryn Barber (Cape Breton University), David Moscrop (Globe & Mail columnist), John Carlaw (Toronto Metropolitan University)
Moderator: Rade Zinaic
September 18 | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Online | Zoom
Speaker: Niem Huynh (Concordia University)
Moderator: Rade Zinaic
September 19 | 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. | Online | Zoom
With: Marianne Stanford (Mara Renewables), Tod Duncan (Ontario Municipal Social Services Association), Edris Madadian (Natural Resources Canada)
Moderator: Rade Zinaic
Graduate & Postdoctoral Development Network Events
From September 15 - 19
September 15 | 7:30 a.m. | Online
Institution: McMaster University
Whether you want to pursue a career in academia, research, or beyond, you will want to use your time on campus wisely to leverage your training opportunities and experience. This interactive 60-minute workshop will help you to consider your professional goals for your postdoc, and begin planning for your next steps.
September 16 | 11:00 a.m. | Online
Institution: University of Regina
Panel discussion on “Alt-Ac” – conversation related to alternative academic careers, for individuals with PhDs or Postdocs seeking jobs outside of the traditional tenure-track faculty positions within higher education. This discussion will explore the broader range of opportunities available in administration, public scholarship, non-profits, consulting, and government positions.
September 17 | 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Online
Institution: McMaster University | McCall MacBain Postdoc Program
Facilitator: Dr. Joe Kim
How to prioritize, organize and navigate priorities to maximize your productivity. Prioritization and organization of information, commitments and projects are daily aspects of any academic’s life. Informed by best practices in Education and Cognition, Dr. Joe Kim will inform the conversation with practical and applicable strategies to help any leader succeed.
September 18 | 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Online
Institution: Western University | Postdoc Association of Western
Facilitator: Jenny Richmond-Bravo
Building a professional community is an important aspect of career growth and flourishing, whether you work in academia or beyond. Many people find the notion of professional networking to be scary, frustrating, tiring, etc. However, “networking” simply refers to the practice of making professional connections with people working on similar projects or working in positions orindustries that interest you. When you are open to new professional relationships, more opportunities will open for you. In the case of non-academic jobs, 80% are not posted publicly, so making professional connections is a critical factor in career planning.
Professional networking and relationship building do not only happen in person. It is now very common for professional communities to be built online. In this session, we will discuss two online platforms for building professional relationships: LinkedIn and ResearchGate. ResearchGate is an academic networking community where members share their research, connect with one another, and can search for job opportunities. LinkedIn has traditionally been an important social community for non-academic job seekers, but more and more academics are joining LinkedIn now also. Participants will leave this session with knowledge of how to create a profile, post content, make connections, send messages, and search for jobs on LinkedIn and ResearchGate.
September 19 | 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Online | MS Teams
Institution: Brock University | Postdoctoral Affairs Office
A teaching dossier or portfolio in higher education serves as a strategically designed document that demonstrates your teaching philosophy, practices and accomplishments. Dossiers and portfolios are commonly used for employment applications, promotions and tenure reviews and/or teaching award nominations. We will explore the creation, design and implementation of this document and how it can be used in applying for teaching positions or to extend our knowledge to roles like instructional designer.