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Industrial Mathematics Group

Sanctuary Seekers STEM Seminar: Career and Professional Development

Monday 23 June 2025


Introduction

We were delighted to host our second-in-person STEM seminar for Sanctuary seekers at Mansfield College, Oxford on 23rd June 2025. The seminar was co-designed by Ian Griffiths from the Mathematical Institute together with David Levy from Politics with administrative support from Arham Farid. It was made possible because of the generous participation of other colleagues from the Mathematical Institute and around the University. Around 20 people attended from across the UK to attend the seminar. This included a welcome from Professor Alexander Betts Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement, Sport and Community sessions on career development (careers in academia and STEM and applying for jobs) and professional growth (how to write journal articles, and a CV and cover letter workshop). Participants found it very fruitful and had a chance to exchange ideas with each other and speakers in the breaks, as well as in the sessions. We expect that the event will give participants a new network as they remain in touch with each other, and we hope that the learnings from the day will help them in the next stages of their careers.




A video summary of the day




Venue and travel

  • The venue of the workshop was Mansfield College. The workshop took place in the Old Hall of Mansfield College.




Schedule

9:30-10:00: Arrival and registration. Teas and coffees available

  • 10:00-10:10: Introductions, seminar goals and hopes for the day. Maria Bruna, Andrei Constantin, Ian Griffiths and David Levy.
  • 10:15-10:20: Welcome. Alexander Betts (Pro-Vice-Chancellor for External Engagement, Sport and Community).
  • 10:20-11:00: Session 1 - How to write a journal article. Dominic Vella, University of Oxford.
11:00-11:15: Break

  • 11:15-12:00: Session 2, part 1 - CV and Cover Letter Workshop with Niamh Walsh from Oxford University Careers Office.
  • 12:00-12:30: Session 2, part 2 - CV Clinic (opportunity for 1:1 slots) with Niamh Walsh and Suzi Black from Oxford University Careers Office. Please bring a printed copy of your brief CV (1-2 pages max) or have it visible on a laptop.
12:30-13:30: Lunch in the Chapel

  • 13:30-14:30: Session 3:
    • Applying for jobs in academia. Georgia Brennan, University of Oxford.
    • Academic and industry jobs for STEM researchers. Maria Bruna, University of Oxford.

14:30-15:00: Break

  • 15:00-15:50: Session 4 - Open Q&A with panel: Georgia Brennan, Maria Bruna, Andrei Constantin, Ian Griffiths and David Levy.
  • 15:50-16:00: Conclusions and closing remarks
  • 16:00: End

Sponsors

We express gratitude to our sponsors for their generous support in making this event possible.

  • The Mathematical Institute
  • Mansfield College
  • Jan Saxl Fund
  • The Council for At-Risk Academics (Cara)
  • Isaac Newton Institute

Last year's event

Here is a video from last year's Sanctuary Seekers' STEM Seminar:

Organizers

Arham Farid (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford)
Ian Griffiths (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford)
David Levy (Reuters Institute/Asylum Welcome)

Participants

Andrei Constantin (Mansfield College, University of Oxford)
Georgia Brennan (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford)
Maria Bruna (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford)
Dominic Vella (Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford)
Suzi Black (Oxford University Careers Office)
Niamh Walsh (Oxford University Careers Office)
Alexander Betts (Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford)
Natasha Treunen (Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford)
Tim Riches (CARA)
Lucia Simms (CARA)