National Postdoctoral Appreciation Week events will celebrate Virginia Tech postdocs

Since 2009, the National Postdoctoral Association has sponsored National Postdoctoral Appreciation as a day or a week to recognize the significant contributions that postdoctoral (postdoc) scholars make to research and discovery. Organizations across the nation and the world participate by holding special events.

In 2010, the week was officially recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives in an effort to create awareness of postdocs’ contributions and recognize their success.

In conjunction with the national association’s slate of events, themed "Finding Your Balance," the Virginia Tech Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and Office of Research and Innovation have organized several events and opportunities to recognize and celebrate postdoctoral associates the week of Sept. 19-23.

For detailed information on events that will take place during that week, visit the national postdoc appreciation events and programs webpage to learn more and register.

Celebratory events for the Virginia Tech postdoc community include a cookout and potluck hosted by the Virginia Tech Postdoctoral Association at Claytor Lake State Park and postdoc appreciation luncheon, held at The Inn at Virginia Tech.

This year’s luncheon will offer a chance for postdocs and invited faculty and campus leaders to hear from Office of Research and Innovation and postdoctoral leaders, including remarks from Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation Dan Sui, members of the Virginia Tech Postdoctoral Association, and Postdoctoral Affairs Program Administrator Chris Smith. Smith also will share a new strategic plan and vision for postdoctoral affairs at Virginia Tech, developed in consultation with a Postdoctoral Affairs Advisory Board of campus faculty leaders, administrators, and postdoctoral representatives assembled in the spring to advise him and the newly formed Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

In addition to the luncheon, Virginia Tech’s Ombuds Office will host an open house along with the Graduate School Office of the Ombudsperson for postdocs to learn about leveraging either office as a resource to discuss complex interpersonal challenges that can arise in the workplace. Hokie Wellness will be offering an online workshop focused on the six degrees of well-being for postdocs. The cross-commonwealth rivalry will resume when postdocs from Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia compete in a virtual trivia contest. Finally, to aid postdocs in building their professional identities and brands, professional portrait sessions will be offered on three days during the week. Learn more and register for all postdoc appreciation week events.

Virginia Tech faculty and campus leaders are encouraged to show their appreciation for postdocs via a shout on social media, email message, or by way of sharing a video, image, or GIF via this Kudoboard or on their personal social media and or organization's social media platforms. Associated hashtags are #NPAW2022 and #VTpostdocs. On Twitter, tag @VTresearch and @nationalpostdoc.