Jennifer Borde is a Project Officer for International Careers at the University of Bordeaux, France. In our interview, she presents the main features of the actions undertaken at her university in the field of researchers at risk, the main supporting actions undertaken for them to prepare a successful career strategy, as well as the means to leverage the university’s participation in European programmes for researchers at risk.
SAFE: Can you briefly present us the actions undertaken by the University of Bordeaux in the field of researchers at risk?
University of Bordeaux: In 2018, the university established a support system for researchers at risk, staffed by a coordinator, Vice-presidents of the university, human resources and finance personnel who are well-versed in the urgent needs arising from these situations and who help to process requests quickly and clearly. There is a genuine synergy between the various actions, and it works well. The Welcome Center for International Researchers assists with arrival and administrative integration (visa, refugee status, banking, housing, schools, language courses). In some cases, we also call upon the university’s social workers, local associations, and volunteer university staff. The coordinator centralizes requests and organizes the discussions on budget preparation, administrative and scientific integration, and applications to funding calls. She closely monitors funding information and European directives. We have also established strong site cooperation through the exchange of best practices and support in preparing applications and co-financing initiatives, particularly with the CNRS [the French National Centre for Scientific Research], Bordeaux Montaigne University and INRAE [France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment]. Finally, we have initiated a fruitful collaboration between the PAUSE programme and the Law Clinic, where Bordeaux students provide training for PAUSE fellows (immigration law,
academic freedom, etc.).
SAFE: According to your practices at the University of Bordeaux, what are the main supporting actions that enable researchers at risk to prepare a successful career strategy?
University of Bordeaux: The choice to offer individual and personalized support is well-advised. All researchers at risk are different due to the wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, experiences (professional and personal) and ambitions. Developing a career strategy involves forming a team around the researcher: the coordinator, the central services and the host laboratory team. On the one hand, it involves leveraging the university’s strengths (major projects, European alliances, teaching and research organization, training opportunities, dedicated support services, partners, etc.) and, on the other hand, the host team’s resources (European, national, and international projects, experts, networks, mentoring, events, meetings, etc.), in order to prepare an « ideal » CV that will enable them to apply for jobs or funding. Our role is to maintain regular contact with the researcher, to motivate him/her, and to coach him/her by following a concrete action plan (establishing a personalized strategic calendar). This is all the more necessary if they have difficulties adapting and a family to support (high mental load). It is very important that they make the most of their time with the host team to improve their skills, knowledge and network, and get involved in projects to broaden their experience.
© Arthur Pequin
SAFE: How do you leverage the university’s participation in European programmes for hosting researchers at risk?
University of Bordeaux: I see two main ways to use European and international programmes in this context. The first is to conduct regular and strategic monitoring of funding dedicated to researchers at risk. Unfortunately, given that many researchers cannot freely practice their profession and are forced into exile, new national and European funding opportunities are emerging to support them (PAUSE, CARA, IIE, MSCA4UKRAINE, SAFE, etc.). The second option is to provide the researcher with the means to learn about the university’s projects and networks (European Enlight alliance, Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe projects, Oenoviti International network, Venice International University, etc.) or, more specifically, those of the laboratory (thematic collaborative projects, MSCA doctoral networks, etc.), as well as to participate in activities, and even to assume certain responsibilities within a consortium of partners. Finally, training in European programmes and coaching for application submissions is a valuable asset for the researcher’s career, making him/her more competitive on the European and international stage.