“Curiosity, collaboration and kindness”

“My favourite part of the day? The whole day!” The excitement in Nelly Benova’s voice, participant from the University of Sofia, Bulgaria, after a Biodanza class, set the tone for a week that left researchers energized, inspired, and genuinely connected. “To meet colleagues from different countries and to feel the energy was wonderful.”

Across the corridors and classrooms of Universidade Católica Portuguesa, similar sentiments echoed throughout the First-Time Researchers’ Academy, held from 17 to 21 November. Designed for early-career scholars of Católica and the Transform4Europe (T4EU) Alliance, the Academy brought together 57 PhD researchers from multiple countries and scientific fields for a week of learning that in the words of participants themselves felt perfect, inspiring, and truly enriching.

For Anna Wichrowska from the University of Silesia, Poland, “the most important thing was gaining new perspectives on academic writing. Each person talked about it in a different way — and that helps us choose the approach that fits our own research best.”

The variety of sessions ranging from writing to well-being, also made a positive impression: “The session about well-being and good food was very important. Sometimes we forget about this balance, so having it included this week made a difference.”

For Anna, the cross-cultural element was equally powerful: “I study Polish, Japanese and American cultures, and here I met someone from the United States. We spent a lot of time talking. You never know who you might meet or how a contact can help you in the future.”

From a completely different field, Khalil Ghemini, an Algerian researcher doing his PhD in Germany, found in this meeting clarity about the future: “all early researchers have the same problem: we know what we are doing now, but we don’t know where we are going. It is hard to see the path. This week helped me think about long-term perspectives.”

Two sessions, in particular, stayed with him: “The networking session was very helpful it opened my mind to possibilities in startups or academia. And the session on philosophy of science was also valuable. Coming from a very technical background, it helped me understand how to shape a project or scientific writing.”

But learning was not confined to the classroom sessions. “I even had a small conversation with the professor afterward. He was really encouraging and gave me valuable tips for my career. I am definitely going to reach out to him later.”

When asked about the role of the Transform4Europe Alliance, Khalil did not hesitate: “after a PhD, the next step is becoming an independent researcher. For that, you need funding and networks. The alliance offers opportunities, and it really prepares you for those next steps.”

Across the week, participants explored topics such as academic writing, research integrity, AI in research, collaboration, well-being and career development. But, as their words reveal, the true value of the Academy was rested in the shared moments: the coffee-break conversations, the exchange of cultures, the surprise of discovering common ground where none was expected.

These voices capture the essence of what the Academy set out to achieve: to offer training while creating an environment where young researchers feel supported, motivated, and integrated.

Throughout the week, sessions blended theory and practice framed by international cooperation. Yet it was the  human element — the networking, the shared challenges, the spark of mutual curiosity— that participants  remembered most vividly.

As the week came to is end, one feeling was clear: the impact of the event extended beyond the classroom. It forged new connections, strengthened confidence, and reminded each participant why their research matters.

A week of learning but above all, a week defined by people, stories, and shared purpose. In one sentence, Aline Villas Boas, Coordinator of Católica Doctoral School captured the spirit of the entire Academy: “Throughout this week, we witnessed curiosity, collaboration and kindness. You challenged yourselves, supported one another, and stayed fully engaged from the first session to the last — for that, we are grateful.”