How do you become a successful researcher?
Young academies from Nordic and Baltic countries assembled in Copenhagen in April 2024. As result of the meeting, the Danish Young Academy initiated a project in which early-career researchers assembled tips to become a successful researcher especially in the Nordic and Baltic countries. In addition to Young Academy Finland, other participating academies were the Latvian Association of Young Researchers, the Lithuanian Young Academy, the Norwegian Young Academy, the Danish Young Academy of Technology, Science and Innovation, and the Young Academies Science Advice Structure. Altogether 60 researchers participated, and many of the tips are likely relevant worldwide, but others are very specific for our part of the world. The whole article can be read here, and below you’ll find the ten tips in short form:
1. Be kind and build a good reputation
2. Prioritise punctuality and reliability
3. Understand the informal work culture
4. Contribute beyond research
5. Build a strong network early
6. Embrace flat hierarchies
7. Explore diverse funding sources
8. Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration
9. Learn the local language
10. Adapt to local working customs