Labs are funny beasts. Their success relies almost entirely on the people within them and their relationships to one another. And those people are busy. A lab retreat gives us the excuse to run out into the wild and reflect on who we are, what we want, and how we can work together to move towards reaching our goals. They also allow us to sit back and have a laugh.
Laura and Geoff enjoy a canoe ride on the beautiful Bamfield Inlet (Jennifer Magel)
Academic research is a competitive and sometimes stressful world that is filled with many mundane tasks (rewriting an article for the tenth time, grant applications, keeping on top of the constant onslaught of work emails). In this world, we need time to reflect and allow space for new insights to blossom. Our discussions on future goals and values was very valuable in not just getting to know each other, but also in helping each other along the way, and in thinking about new ideas and pathways for success.
Visions for the future: where we see ourselves in five years (Jennifer Magel)
Clarifying the ground rules around ‘how to care for your supervisor’ and how to ask for feedback also saves a lot of time and energy in the long run. I enjoyed hearing Julia’s goals and visions for the lab and our projects - it is motivating to be reminded why we are here and what we are working towards on a grander scale.
I felt the session on mental health in academia was particularly beneficial. To know that highly successful Profs have dealt with and overcome mental health obstacles is both inspirational and reassuring especially in case any of us were to find ourselves in a similar situation. It can take a lot of courage to share personal stories, but talking about this topic is crucial in the long run if we are to change the stigma surrounding these issues. I think it is important that all scientists become aware of how common mental health problems are, and how there should be no shame or guilt in suffering from these issues.
I felt the session on mental health in academia was particularly beneficial. To know that highly successful Profs have dealt with and overcome mental health obstacles is both inspirational and reassuring especially in case any of us were to find ourselves in a similar situation. It can take a lot of courage to share personal stories, but talking about this topic is crucial in the long run if we are to change the stigma surrounding these issues. I think it is important that all scientists become aware of how common mental health problems are, and how there should be no shame or guilt in suffering from these issues.
Celebrating a successful lab retreat on Keeha Beach! (Kristina Tietjen)
Overall, I thought the lab retreat was a blinding success. The ratio of fun:seriousness was on point and it seems to me we all came back with a refreshed perspective and recharged motivation (facilitated by lab P90s* of course!).
Long may the annual retreat live,
Laura
*A P90 is not a physical workout but a mental one. It stands for POWER 90 (the power bit must be shouted in an Austrian accent). It simply means that you work without email or distraction in hard-core 90 minute sessions. It’s how I get my actual work done. Lots of great details and background here.
Long may the annual retreat live,
Laura
*A P90 is not a physical workout but a mental one. It stands for POWER 90 (the power bit must be shouted in an Austrian accent). It simply means that you work without email or distraction in hard-core 90 minute sessions. It’s how I get my actual work done. Lots of great details and background here.
By Laura Kehoe
(submitted as part of a 30-minute writing exercise)
(submitted as part of a 30-minute writing exercise)