Workshops

Support is available for 1-2 day workshops around a specialised topic which can stimulate research through new or evolving collaborations between physicists and biologists. The purpose of these events is to focus on a subject area to stimulate collaborative research and grant applications. The events will involve national and international speakers and provide network members with the opportunity to present their work. Typical workshop numbers have ranged between 30 and 100 delegates. Successful collaborations and ideas nurtured from workshops may be further considered for support through a Sandpit application.

Physic of Life are open to supporting any topics that create partnership between the physical and life sciences across any length scale. In the past, Physics of Life has supported an impressive diversity of topics, see examples in Past workshops.

Funding availability

The maximum award available is up to £5K (for a 2 day workshop).  Up to £2.5K (1 day workshops) are also considered. Budget management and advice can be sought from Physics of Life.

Who can apply?

Any UK based researcher(s) working within the remit of the network's target dsicsiplines (Life, Physical or Clinical sciences) can apply. This includes strong postdoc and early-career researcher applications. Applying researcher(s) should be a member of the network, to become a member, simply sign up to our newsletter.

Organisational support

As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science - inviting speakers and organising the scientific programme. The network co-ordinator can undertake all of the logistical arrangements, liaise with the venue, organise speaker travel, assist with the programme construction, advertise the event, provide weblinks, organise registration and produce all workshop materials. For virtual meetings the network will manage online requirements, but please be aware that some of the workshop budget in any aplication should be allocated toward online support. For any queries relating to organisational support and what to expect, please email: Karis Baker (k.h.baker@dur.ac.uk) who will be happy to discuss and tailor your needs.

Workshop format

The main objective of Physics of Life workshops are to nucleate new collaborative partnerships between biologists and physicists. This means that events should aim for equal particpant representation from both disciplines. Our aim is that these workshops are not conventional meetings, where people listen to talks and go away. Alongside standard plenaries and presentations, they should aim to actively engage participants and promote questioning of the subject area. This can be achieved through the incorporation of one, or a combination of, the below activities:

• Flash powerpoint presentations: We generally recommend approx. 3 mins for each particpant to introduce their reserach area to all other particpants. These can be submitted on a voluntary basis.
• Poster session
• Break out discussion groups: These should carefully consider groups of people with common questions or goals that would benefit from further discussions.
  

How to apply

The first call for workshop applications is now open. In order to propose a workshop, please download and send the completed application form to k.h.baker@dur.ac.uk.

polnet3_workshop_application_form.docx
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Selection Procedure

​Applications are circulated to the PoLNET3 steering group for comment. It is aimed that a decision will be made within one month of application.

High quality ideas which are aligned to PoLNET aims (i.e. strong evidence of collaboration between physics and biology) will be among the criteria for success. In applications, please use clear evidence of interdisciplinarity between Biologists and Physicists, anticipated outputs and the development of excellent collaborative relationships. It is aimed that a decision will be made within one month of the application being submitted.

Past successful Physics of Life workshops have:

1. Chosen a workshop topic that attracts cross disciplinary particpants and speakers (specifically, physical and life sciences).
2. Designed a timetable which clearly demonstrates engagement to discuss new research ideas and opportunities.
3. Facilitated communication between workshop attendees.

For examples of past Physics of Life workshop timetables, see: http://www.physicsoflife.org.uk/past-workshops.html

Workshop reporting

In order to demonstrate how Physics of Life network activities are impacting the scientific community, organisers of approved events will be expected to provide a written report within one month of the completion of the event (1000 words). A further, shorter update will also be requested after eight months. Reporting forms will be provided.

In prepartion for the reports, event organisers should think about the following questions during the event:
(1) What questions and challenges have been identified within the topic of the workshop, that could be addressed with a Physics of Life approach?
(2) What methodologies, approaches and disciplines need to be brought to bear on them?
(3) Where in the UK is the potential expertise and resources to be found to address these challenges.