The first IMPACT training week took place from October 14th until 18th at the Braem building on the VUB campus Etterbeek, offering an interesting mix of introspective reflection, practical skill-building, and interactive learning for our fellows. The week started with presentations from the fellows and continued with dynamic sessions on leadership, intellectual property, business development, project management, data management plan and an info session on gender dimension in research.
Day 1: Fellow’s progress report presentations
The week kicked off with a full day of presentations from the IMPACT fellows. Each researcher shared the latest developments in their projects, showcasing the broad scope of cutting-edge topics being addressed. This session gave fellows the chance to reflect on their progress and refine their approach based on feedback from peers and experts. It also set the tone for the collaborative learning that would follow.
Day 2: Leadership training with Katelijne Callebaut
The second day focused on leadership, with an introspective and interactive session led by Katelijne Callebaut from LoopWise. Fellows explored the qualities of effective leadership, learning how to navigate their roles as researchers while developing skills to manage teams, inspire innovation, and lead by example in their respective fields.
Day 3: Intellectual Property and Academic Business Development
Day three explored the complexities of Intellectual Property (IP). Hugo Loosvelt, IP manager from VUB TechTransfer, guided the fellows through strategies to protect their research innovations. In the afternoon, Geoffrey Aerts, director of the VUB Business Development Academy, provided valuable insights into academic business development, helping the fellows to think about translating their research into societal impact and exploring potential market applications.
Day 4: Project Management skills
Day four was dedicated to project management, led by Koen De Valck, who conducted an engaging workshop that covered the key elements of successful project management, from setting objectives and timelines to managing resources and risks. The session emphasized practical tools which the fellows can implement in their current and future research projects.
Day 5: Data Management Plan and Gender Dimension
The final day began with a session on Data Management Plans (DMP) led by Flora D’Anna from VIB. The fellows learned the importance of proper data handling, storage, and sharing practices, which are essential to ensure the integrity and reproducibility of their research. In the afternoon, Katrien Van der Heyden presented an insightful session on gender dimensions in research, encouraging the fellows to think critically about how gender dynamics impact their work and how to integrate these reflections into their research designs.
The second training week of the IMPACT fellows will take place from March 3rd until 7th, 2025. Stay tuned for more updates!