NPAW

About the project

Jump to the 2026 programme!

National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) is an annual celebration of postdoctoral researchers and the vital contributions they make to research, teaching, innovation, public engagement, and the wider University community.

Each September, Queen's marks NPAW with a programme of events and activities that celebrate the achievements of our postdoctoral researchers, recognise their impact, and bring the research community together. Alongside our local programme, researchers can also take part in UK-wide events celebrating and supporting the postdoctoral community.

Queen's has celebrated National Postdoc Appreciation Week since 2018 and was one of the first UK universities to establish a dedicated programme of events. Since then, NPAW has grown into a nationwide celebration, with universities across the UK working together to deliver events that recognise and support postdoctoral researchers.

Keep an eye on this page for further 2026 programme activities, which will be published soon.

You can also explore previous NPAW programmes below to see how we've celebrated our postdoctoral researchers in recent years.

Breakthroughs happen when ideas, perspectives, and expertise come together. Join the Postdoc Society on Friday 25 September in the Great Hall and Canada Room/Council Chamber for an inspiring programme designed by postdocs, for postdocs.

Explore topics including AI in research, spin-outs, innovation and entrepreneurship, with opportunities to learn, connect and exchange ideas.

A digital abstract booklet and full programme will be available in advance.

🏆 Prizes for the best talks and posters will be awarded, and the PDC Postdoc Awards will be presented at the event.

Find out more and register for the Postdoc Showcase 2026

Celebrate National Postdoc Appreciation Week by refreshing your professional profile, raising your visibility, and connecting with fellow research staff.

Tuesday 22 September | 10:00 - 12:30 | Lanyon Building (Professional Photographs) and Senate Room, Lanyon Building (Profile Support Session)

What's on offer?

Click on 'Read more' for further information and to register for this NPAW initiative.

How does it work?

When you register, we’ll confirm whether you have s ecured a place for a professional headshot. The photographer will be on site from 10:00 – 12:30 , and participants can drop in at any point during this timeframe. Headshots will be taken in order of arrival on the day, so there may be a short wait.

While you're waiting, or after your headshot, drop in to meet Jill and/or Nicole and Mary for a quick review of your LinkedIn or Pure profile. They’ll offer practical tips and suggestions to help you raise your professional visibility and showcase your expertise.

We’ll also invite attendees to participate in a short video, sharing their experience of postdoctoral research at Queen’s if they're comfortable.

Tea, coffee and treats will be available throughout the morning, so why not stay a little longer and connect with fellow research staff from across the University?

Register now to Boost Your Professional Profile and connect with other postdocs this NPAW

As part of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, book a 45-minute one-to-one Career MOT with Jill McClenaghan, Research Careers and Employability Officer .

Whether you're considering your next academic position, exploring opportunities beyond academia, or simply reviewing your current career plans, a Career MOT can help you gain clarity, confidence, and a practical plan for moving forward.

What's on offer?

A Career MOT is an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day demands of research and take a focused look at your professional development. The conversation will be tailored to your individual needs and aspirations and may include:

Jill will provide a supportive and confidential space to help you reflect on your experience, explore possibilities, and identify practical actions that align with your career goals.

Click on 'Read more' for further information and to book your slot with Jill.

How does it work?

A limited number of 45-minute one-to-one appointments are available across 23-24 September 2026.

Appointments will be booked through Microsoft Bookings and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants can select the appointment time that best suits their schedule from the available options.

Book your one-to-one slot with Jill

Every year, the PDC Postdoc Awards celebrate the achievements of Queen's postdocs in Research, Support and Citizenship and Outreach.

This year, a total of 42 nominations were received ( 15 in MHLS, 17 in EPS and 10 in AHSS), with some nominations submitted on behalf of multiple individuals!

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at the end of the Postdoc Showcase on 25 September.

View this year's nominees and previous winners

Join postdocs from across the UK and ROI for this year's NPAW Flagship Event!

Postdocs are facing an ever-changing landscape in terms of personal and career prospects. This free online event is open to all postdoctoral researchers from all institutions across the UK and ROI.

Expect creative poetry, self-exploration, practical insights and honest opinions, all designed to help you navigate your next steps with confidence.

Find out more and register for the 2026 UK-wide NPAW event

Organised by the Postdoc Society ( 'by postdocs, for postdocs' ), this event is an opportunity for all research staff at Queen's to showcase their research, learn about others' research, and network.

This year's showcase will be held on Friday 26 September in the Canada Room/Council Chamber and the Great Hall at Queen’s. It will feature talks by invited speakers, an expert panel discussion, an update from the PDC, a Postdoc drop-in clinic, the research poster/display exhibition, and oral presentations by selected postdocs. The event will conclude with a drinks reception!

Prizes will be awarded for the best talks and posters, and the PDC Postdoc Awards will be presented at the end of the event.

Postdoc Showcase 2025 Information and Registration

Every year, the PDC Postdoc Awards celebrate the achievements of Queen's postdocs in research, support and citizenship and outreach.

This year, a total of 53 nominations were received (32 in MHLS, 16 in EPS and 5 in AHSS), with some nominations submitted on behalf of multiple individuals!

Winners will be announced at the end of the Postdoc Showcase on 26 September. Results will also be published on the Postdoc Awards webpage and shared via the PDC X account ( @QUBpostdoc ).

Throughout National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), we’ll be sharing a series of short videos showcasing postdocs from across Queen’s. These videos will feature researchers discussing their work, their experiences as postdocs at Queen’s, and the support they’ve received along the way.

The project aims to celebrate the breadth and diversity of postdoctoral research happening across Queen’s and to shine a light on the invaluable contributions our postdocs make to the university, to research, and to wider society.

Be sure to keep an eye on Queen’s social media channels and the PDC X account during NPAW to catch the videos as they’re released. Videos will also be hosted on the 'Our Postdocs' webpage so you can view and share them at any time!

We encourage everyone to watch and share the videos to help recognise and appreciate the incredible postdocs working at Queen’s.

Please use #LovePostdocs and #NPAW2025 when posting on X!

Round off National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2025 with a well-earned pause to recharge, reflect, and reconnect with yourself and your postdoc community.

This relaxed event is a chance to step away from the day-to-day pressures of research, acknowledge your progress and achievements, and refocus your mindset for the year ahead.

Led by Erin McElvogue from MYND Consulting , the session will explore small but powerful mindset shifts that can help you strengthen internal confidence, maintain motivation, and build resilience. There will also be time to reflect, share experiences, and connect meaningfully with fellow postdocs in a welcoming and informal space.

Join us from 10:00 for coffee, pastries, and relaxed conversation before the session begins. All research staff are welcome, but registration is required.

Find out more and register for 'Postdoc Wellbeing Morning: A Successful Mynd'

Join postdocs from across the UK for this year’s online flagship event celebrating National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW). This free session offers an inspiring opportunity to connect, reflect and explore the power of self-leadership in research and beyond.

The event will open with a special screening of Postdocs: The Musical , a creative and uplifting celebration of postdoc life performed by the 'Bioscience: The Musical' team from the University of York.

Following this, Dr Chris Russell will lead a practical and thought-provoking masterclass on resilience and self-leadership in an uncertain world. Attendees will then hear from a panel of expert speakers, including Dr Gavin Buckingham, Dr Steve Joy, Dr Vani Naik and Dr John Whittaker, who will share insights from their diverse career paths and offer tips on navigating professional development and leading both yourself and others.

This engaging event is open to all postdoctoral researchers across the UK and is free to attend.

Find out more and register for the UK-wide NPAW event

View the UK NPAW website for all things UKNPAW!

During NPAW, please use #LovePostdocs and #NPAW2025 when posting on X!

Organised by the Postdoc Society ('by postdocs, for postdocs'), this event is an opportunity for all research staff at Queen's to showcase their research, learn about others' research, and network.

The Showcase will be held on Monday 16 September in The Malone Hotel and will feature talks by invited speakers, an expert panel discussion, an update from the Postdoctoral Development Centre, a research poster/display exhibition, and oral presentations by selected postdocs. The event will conclude with a drinks reception!

There will be prizes for the best talks and posters and the PDC Postdoc Awards will be presented at the end of the event.

Every year, the Postdoc Awards celebrate the achievements of Queen's postdocs in research, support and citizenship and outreach.

This year, a total of 59 nominations were received (35 in MHLS, 17 in EPS and 7 in AHSS), with some nominations submitted on behalf of multiple individuals.

Winners will be announced at the end of the Postdoc Showcase on 16 September, and will also be published on the Awards' page and shared via the PDC X account ( @QUBpostdoc ).

In celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2024, the PDC will be offering Queen's research staff the opportunity to have their photograph taken by a professional photographer, to use for professional profiles (e.g. Pure profile, LinkedIn profile, research group website, etc.).

The photoshoot will be carried out by a professional photographer hired for the occasion on the QUB main site campus (Lanyon Building) on Wednesday 18 September between 10:00 and 12:30 .

The photograph will be free but will require registration, and will be limited to the first 30 to register. The offer is only available for postdocs and research staff employed in the University in September 2024 (PhD candidates are not eligible) and priority will be given to those who did not have a professional photo taken for this initiative last year.

Register here for a professional photograph

Each year a free UK-wide online flagship event is held during National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) and this year UKNPAW celebrates its 5th Anniversary!

This years event will take place on Monday 16 September (10:00 - 12:30) and is free to all.

This event will focus on how to authentically network beyond sectors, disciplines and even dimensions (i.e. time and space)! In addition to a skills masterclass by Dr Steve Cross, you will also be able to practice what you’ve learnt right away with some facilitated live speed networking sessions with your fellow attendees within this event. There will be a panel discussion with three current/former postdocs, Dr Joe Fennell, Dr Pooja Khurana and Dr Laura Pottinger, who will each bring their unique experience and insights on how to create and build networks that span different sectors and themes.

Find out more and register for the UK-wide NPAW event

View the UK NPAW website for all things UKNPAW!

During NPAW, please use #LovePostdocs and #NPAW2024 in your Tweets!

During National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the PDC and Postdoc Society will be sharing short profiles of Queen's postdocs via the PDC X account ( @QUBpostdoc ), and on the Our postdocs ' page.

The information for these profiles is collected as part of the registration for the Postdoc Showcase (for those who wish to participate). They will also be displayed on the screen of the Showcase's exhibition room during the event. If you'd like your profile featured but are not attending the showcase, please contact pdc@qub.ac.uk.

Organised by the Postdoc Society ('by postdocs, for postdocs'), this event is an opportunity for all research staff at Queen's to showcase their research, learn about others' research, and network. It is taking place just after National Postdoc Appreciation Week to enable hosting it in a venue on campus.

Taking place on the 29th of September at The Whitla Hall, the Showcase will involve guests speakers discussing how interdisciplinary collaboration can drive meaningful outcomes and create impact across various domains , a research display/poster exhibition, short accessible presentations by selected postdocs, and a range of networking opportunities (including over drinks at the end!).

There will be prizes for the best talks and posters and the PDC Postdoc Awards will be presented at the end of the event.

Every year, the Postdoc Awards celebrate the achievements of Queen's postdocs in research, support and citizenship and outreach.

A total of 59 nominations were received (32 in MHLS, 18 in EPS, 9 in AHSS), including some of them submitted on behalf of multiple individuals.

Winners will be announced at the end of the Postdoc Showcase, on the 29th of September, as well as published on the Awards' page and shared via the PDC Twitter account ( @QUBpostdoc ).

In celebration of National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2023, the PDC is offering Queen's research staff the opportunity to have their picture taken by a professional photographer, to use for professional profiles (e.g. Pure profile, LinkedIn profile, research group website etc.).

The photoshoot will be carried out by a professional photographer hired for the occasion on the QUB main site campus (Lanyon Building) on the afternoon of the Monday 18 September 2023.

The photograph will be free but will require registration, and will be limited to the first 30 to register. The offer is only available for postdocs and research staff employed in the University in September 2023 (PhD candidates are not eligible).

Register here for a professional photograph

This online event organised by postdoc volunteers from different UK institutions, with support from researcher developers including the PDC, will take place on the 18th of September (10:30-approx 12:00) and is free to all

It will explore the similarities and differences between postdocs in different disciplines and on how to communicate and connect across divides to deliver impactful interdisciplinary research.

The event will start with a comedic take on this topic by Dave Chawner, followed by conversations and discussion panel led by Prof Ian Sabroe and Dr Dieter Declercq, hosts of the podcast ' Conversations about Arts, Humanities and Health ', on how to create collaborative environments, break preconceived ideologies, and rediscover the joy that drives us forward with what we do!

Find details and register on the UK NPAW website

During National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the PDC and Postdoc Society will be sharing short profiles of Queen's postdocs via the PDC Twitter account ( @QUBpostdoc ), and on the Our postdocs ' page.

The information for these profiles is collected as part of the registration for the Postdoc Showcase (for those willing to participate). They will also be displayed on the screen of the Showcase's exhibition room during the event. If you'd like your profile featured but are not attending the showcase, please contact pdc@qub.ac.uk.

PIs, students, peers and colleagues can thank postdocs and wish them a happy National Postdoc Appreciation Week by downloading an E-cards and send it by email or on social media!

Expand for more information and to download cards.

All are encouraged to include in their message examples of ways postdocs had a positive impact on them or the team, highlight their strengths or what they admire in them, thank them for something they did etc.

If used on social media, please tag @QUBPostdoc and use #LovePostdocs (and if possible #LoveQUB #NPAW2023).

Alternatively, the cards can be printed and handed out, or individuals can make up their own cards!

View and download the e-cards

Organised 'by postdocs, for postdocs', this event is an opportunity for all research staff at Queen's to showcase their research, learn about others' research, and network.

Taking place on the 21st of September at the Wellington Park Hotel, the Showcase will involve keynote talks by invited speakers around the theme of 'resilience and innovation', a research poster exhibition, 10-minute presentations and 5-minute flash-talks by selected postdocs, and a range of networking opportunities (including over drinks at the end!).

There will be prizes for the best talks and posters and the PDC Postdoc Awards will be presented at the end of the event.

This online event will combine humour and useful tips around some of the best tools postdocs have and need in their toolbox to progress: their skills, career development resources and a well-crafted CV.

It will notably include a stand-up-type presentation on postdoc skills, a preview of the Prosper Portal, a career development tool for postdocs to be released in 2023, and a CV clinic, with tips to make a cracking academic or industry CV.

It is organised by a volunteers from different UK institutions, including the PDC, and will take place on the 21st of September (10:30-approx 12:00).

Note: this event was initially planned on Monday 19th September but was rescheduled on Wednesday 21st September, due to the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Details and registration for 'The Postdoc Toolbox'

Every year, the Postdoc Awards celebrate the achievements of Queen's postdocs in research, support and citizenship and outreach.

A total of 88 nominations were received (59 in MHLS, 16 in EPS, 13 in AHSS), including some of them submitted on behalf of multiple individuals.

Winners will be announced at the end of the Postdoc Showcase, on the 21st of September, as well as published on the Awards' page and shared via the PDC Twitter account ( @QUBpostdoc ).

During National Postdoc Appreciation Week, the PDC will be sharing short profiles of Queen's postdocs via the PDC Twitter account ( @QUBpostdoc ), and on the Our postdocs ' page.

The information for these profiles is collected as part of the registration for the Postdoc Showcase (for those willing to participate). They will also be displayed on the screen of the Showcase's exhibition room during the event.

PIs, students, peers and colleagues can thank postdocs and wish them a happy National Postdoc Appreciation Week by downloading an E-cards and send it by email or on social media!

Expand for more information and to download cards.

All are encouraged to include in their message examples of ways postdocs had a positive impact on them or the team, highlight their strengths or what they admire in them, thank them for something they did etc.

If used on social media, please tag @QUBPostdoc and use #LovePostdocs (and if possible #LoveQUB #NPAW2022).

Alternatively, the cards can be printed and handed out, or individuals can make up their own cards!

View and download the e-cards

PIs, students, peers and colleagues can thank postdocs and wish them a happy National Postdoc Appreciation Week by downloading one of the many available E-cards and send it by email or on social media!

Expand for more information and to download cards.

All are encouraged to include in their message examples of ways postdocs had a positive impact on them or the team, highlight their strengths or what they admire in them, thank them for something they did etc.

If used on social media, please tag @QUBPostdoc and use #LovePostdocs (and if possible #LoveQUB #NPAW2021).

Alternatively, the cards can be printed and handed out, or individuals can make up their own cards!

View and download the e-cards

• Professional headshots taken by a professional photographer
• Drop in for a LinkedIn ‘Quick Check’ with Jill McClenaghan (Research Careers and Employability Officer) to strengthen your online profile.
• Drop in for a Pure Profile ‘Quick Check’ with Nicole Murray (Research Quality Manager) and Mary Stevenson, (Research Systems Programme Officer) to maximise the visibility of your research.
• Contribute to our video celebrating research staff at Queen’s
• Tea, coffee, treats and informal networking with fellow research staff
• Professional headshot places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis at registration.
• Career readiness: reviewing CVs, LinkedIn profiles, academic portfolios and networking activity
• Career options: exploring opportunities within academia, research management, industry, the public sector and higher education professional services
• Action planning: identifying development opportunities, setting priorities and creating achievable short-term goals
• Confidence and barriers: discussing challenges, uncertainties and strategies to help you move forward
• Enjoy creative language play and explore your research journey with Martina Diehl.
• Uncover your skills and future possibilities with Holly Prescott in an interactive workshop.
• Get candid insights from UKRI and the British Academy on the changing academic funding landscape.
• Date: 22/09/2021
• Time: 2:00pm - 2:30pm
• Location: Twitter
• Category: General / Other
• Date: 24/09/2021
• Time: 9:15am - 4:30pm
• Location: Online
• Category: Conference / Symposium
• Date: 20/09/2021
• Time: 11:00am - 12:30pm
• Location: Online
• Category: Interview, Lecture / Talk / Discussion, Training / Learning & Development

Research areas