Workshop for early career researchers: Best practices and expert insights

The Microplastics workshop will be organised every second year, with the next one taking place in October 2027!

Abstract submission is closed

Whats the format of this thing?

Are you about to start a research project on microplastic as part of your PhD or MSc program? Do you have questions or doubts about your experimental design or specific technical issues?

If so, this workshop is for you!

Key focus

The overarching goal of this conference is on increased interaction between students (Ph D candidates, early stage Postdocs) and field-leading experts. Through a series of novel and targeted interactive development and break-out sessions, we strive for active participation of a wide variety of scientists from different backgrounds to increase our collective understanding on the most important research questions in the field and up-to-date approaches in tackling microplastics research. In this way, the early career researchers not only have the opportunity to learn more about the scientific and methodological research and expand their scientific network by intense communication in small circles, but also learn career building skills which they can put into practice in their daily work.
This workshop will have three main foci to help early career researchers become more knowledgeable in the field of environmental microplastics studies and be better equipped to be competent and confident researchers in the future. These include 1) key-note lectures by experts highlighting the state of the art in the field, 2) interactive sessions between students and experts for more in-depth scientific discussions and increased networking amongst participants and 3) student development sessions, where lectures are given to help students have the information and tools they need to work in the field of academic science.

Main objectives and importance for scientific co-operation

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of such a large and multi-faceted topic, microplastic research attracts scientist from very diverse disciplines ranging from polymer chemists to environmental scientists to human and eco-toxicologists. This requires cooperation and collaboration amongst scientists in order to both ask the correct questions and to correctly interpret results, but understanding the viewpoints of those who have a different scientific background is not always easy because of the different language and methodologies which are used within each field. Especially for early career researchers, learning how to communicate with each other well will help them navigate and properly evaluate the wide variety of studies which are published today, and help them to start thinking beyond their own field of research. Additionally, by strengthening their scientific networks, both within peer circles and being able to approach experts more easily, they will be able to get the advice and help they need to conduct their best research.

With this workshop, we aim to increased the confidence and scientific development of early career researchers working in the field, so that we can support ambitious and talented young students in their efforts to understand the impacts and implications of (micro)plastics pollution in the environment.

Which celebrities will I meet?

The startling lineup for 2025!

  • Camilla Carteny - Plastics Europe

  • Pasquale “Pat” Falcigno - Sustainable by design

  • Nanna Hartmann - Ecotoxicity of microplastics: investigating and communicating risks

  • Thorsten Huffer - Anthropogenic particles and their associated chemicals

  • Florence Huynh - Biodegradable plastics

  • Marlene Kammerer - Policy

  • Helen Karlsson - Human exposure to anthropogenic particles

  • Bart Koelmans - Microplastic risk assessment: Chemicals, particles, animals and humans

  • Karin Mattsson - Plastic sources, fate and characterization in the environment

  • Marc Metian - Capacity building

  • Annika Swanholm - HEXPOL TPE AB - Plastic pellets and associated additives

  • Stephan Wagner - Material characterization and detection, plastic fate and transport in the environment

  • Martin Wagner - Analysis and impacts of plastic chemicals

  • There will be 3 rounds of discussion sessions of 60 minutes each, split across two days of the workshop. At the time of registration, students can select topics which are of interest to them (see example list of topics below) and they will be split up into groups accordingly, where each group will have one expert and approximately 6 students. Experts will give a short introduction to the topic (e.g. 3 - 6 slides) to get the conversation started and will lead students through discussions based on research topic at hand. This can include designing experiments, methodology challenges, how to present results, and open research questions/gaps associated with topic. There will also be an opportunity for the students to ask questions to the experts, but all participants should ideally be involved in the discussion (i.e. not simply a question and answer session hosted by the expert).

  • Two weeks before the workshop, the students will be sent a reminder to submit a writing sample (e.g. conference abstract, manuscript introduction, draft manuscript, etc.). Students will be randomly assigned into small groups of 5 and the writing samples of all students in the given group will be shared. Prior to the workshop, the students will read and revise the text of other students and be prepared to discuss the format, clarity, and scientific content of the writing sample in peer-editing circles. At the workshop, three hours will be dedicated to peer-editing circles after an introductory lecture of best practices for scientific writing. Experts will also join the circles to help moderate discus-sions and provide additional advice and tips. This will not only allow students to learn more about different research fields, but provide them with the opportunity to act as a peer reviewer (potentially for the first time), allowing them to better understand how their own writing could be improved. This will also give each individual significant feed-back for improvement on their own writing style.

  • After a morning session focused on presentation skills and communication approaches to both scientific and public audiences, in the afternoon students will be broken up into groups of 6 to give previously prepared 15 minute oral presentations on their research topic and results. Beyond scientific questions, the audience will also provide feedback on didactics, slide clarity, presentation style, etc. Experts will also join the circles to help moderate discussion and provide additional advice and tips. Here again the students will be able to learn about new areas of research, but also have the opportunity to give constructive criticism to their peers and receive valuable feedback for improving their own oral communication style.

  • Over the course of three sessions, students and experts will present their work in a poster fair. Posters should be printed at the home institute and be brought with the student to the workshop venue to be displayed on poster boards. This will allow the students to 1) have an additional venue to present their own work and 2) learn more about the work of others which they did not yet meet during the writing café and communication café sessions.

  • During a two hour session the participants will be able to choose on of the following topics:

    1) CV

    2) Grant writing

    3) Identify transferable skills

    4) Gaining visibility

    5) Creating work-life balance

  • There will be three Panel discussions with the following topics:

    • Review

    • Career development

    • How to find the right question?

  • A short abstract of 2000 characters is required to register and attend the workshop. After the abstract is submitted, we will send information about final attendance confirmation.

    The attendance is capped at around 70 students.

    Registration fee: 850 €, including accommodation at the station for 5 nights, with breakfast, sheets, and towels.

    Registration fee: 720 €, without accommodation.

    In the registration fee, all meals and coffee breaks shown on the schedule are included.

  • The workshop will be held at Kristineberg Marine Research Station, which is one of the oldest marine stations in the world, founded in 1877.

    Participants can stay in double, triple, or quadruple rooms at the station. When registration opens, you will specify whether you want to stay there.

    Address to venue: Kristineberg 566, 451 78 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden.

  • Abstract submission: open 1 of May.

    Confirmation letter: from 15 of July.

    Registration: 12 of September

    Payment deadline: 26 of September.

    Submission of required documents, including writing samples: 26 of September.

    Workshop: 12-17 of October.

  • Registration fee: 850 €, including accommodation at the station for 5 nights, with breakfast, sheets, and towels.

    Registration fee: 720 €, without accommodation.

    In the registration fee, all meals and coffee breaks shown on the schedule are included.

Abstract submission closed

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