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Luxembourg’s Association of PhD Candidates & Young Researchers
Eurodoc Annual Conference 2015:
Empowering Young Researchers in Europe
27th April 2015 – Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Agenda
• LuxDoc
• Luxembourg
• Main objectives of LuxDoc
• Cooperation with authorities
–
Ministry of Higher Education and Research
–
National Research Fund
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What is LuxDoc?
LuxDoc:
•
Is the only and interdisciplinary association in
Luxembourg open to all PhD candidates and
young researchers working in Luxembourg as well
as to Luxembourgish PhD candidates and young
researchers abroad.
•
Was founded on 7th July 2011
•
Currently has 123 members from 25 institutions
– 66 female, 57 male
– 98 PhD-students; 9 post-docs; 16 others
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LuxDoc‘s Missions
LuxDoc’s mission towards PhD candidates and
young researchers are manifold:
•
Putting their needs and opinions on the map.
•
Participate in discussions on national legislation.
•
Appointing PhD candidate representatives at the
University boards.
•
Improving working conditions for PhD candidates.
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Excursus: Luxembourg (I)
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Excursus: Luxembourg (II)
•
Approximately 563,000 citizens
•
Innovation-driven growth
•
1 University being centralised
•
3 Public Research Centres
•
Several Private Research Centres
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Main objectives (I)
•
Represent and defend the interests of its
members (related to: training, research, career
perspectives, …).
•
Develop and promote the scientific culture in
Luxembourg.
•
Provide and create information regarding topics of
interest for PhD candidates.
•
Facilitate exchange and meetings between PhD
candidates and other researchers.
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Main objectives (II)
•
Organize social and academic events.
•
Collaborate with the respective authorities in order
to improve the studying and working conditions for
PhD candidates.
•
Participate in discussions and help develop
policies concerning higher education and research
in Luxembourg.
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Co-operation with authorities
•
Ministry of Higher Education and Research
•
National Research Fund (FNR)
•
University of Luxembourg
•
Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
•
Centre for Documentation and Information on
Higher Education (CEDIES)
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Ministry of Research (I)
Topic:
New law on part of financing scheme for higher
education (March 2014).
Aim:
Raise awareness of Ministry for concerns of early
stage researchers.
1st:
Internal collection of concerns and publishing of
statement (April).
2nd:
Exchanges between PhD representatives and
letter to Ministry.
3rd:
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Meetings with Minister (March, July & December).
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Ministry of Research (II)
On-going topics and discussions:
•
Database of Luxembourgish researchers.
•
Valuation of PhD in Luxembourg.
•
Visa issue of non-EU candidates.
•
Duration of PhD.
•
Labour law:
– Limited contract: no follow-up contract after PhD possible.
– Parental leave and limited contract.
•
Eurodoc conference 2016 in Luxembourg.
•
Input on new law on financing scheme of higher
education.
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Ministry of Research (III)
Results:
•
Raising awareness for issues of PhD candidates and
young researchers that largely remained unheard.
•
Establish / facilitate collaboration with other institutions
– FNR (promote research in Luxembourg, eurodoc
conference and funding schemes).
– CEDIES (event to inform industry about value of PhD)
– Chamber of Commerce (offer special training to members
and organise a joint event with CEDIES to promote PhDs
in Luxembourg).
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Conclusion
•
Luxembourg’s small size makes it easy to get in
touch with national authorities.
•
Authorities are interested in and open to LuxDoc’s
and it’s members’ views.
•
Change not immediately visible since mostly
driven by formal and informal discussions.
•
LuxDoc is confident that its discussions help
improve the situation of all PhD candidates and
young researchers that it represents.
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Thank you very much for
your interest!
Romain Decet
Contact us:
http://www.luxdoc.org
[email protected]
[email protected]
LuxDoc a.s.b.l.
B.P. 2770
L- 1027 Luxembourg
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