Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) was started in the USA in 2009 to recognise the significant contributions that postdocs make to research and discovery. 

In recognition of the postdocs who make Imperial a leading research and educational institution, ECRI and PAW Committee  will host a variety of events, both virtual and in person, to mark PAW at Imperial. These activities will run alongside other national events. 

Previous PAW events

Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) 2025

In 2025, PAW took place between 15-21 September. Events included:

  • Promotions Briefing Session
  • Fireside Chat: Your Postdoc Journey at Imperial - Panel event
  • ECRI Awards and Celebration
  • Inter-department postdoc community lunches
  • Coffee mornings (hosted by Postdoc Reps)
Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) 2024

In 2024, PAW took place between 16-20 September. Events included:

  • International Postdoc Event (hosted by Postdoc Reps)
  • Ask Us Anything - ECRI Session
  • Panel Event: Transition to independence
  • Panel Event: Careers Beyond Academia
  • Workshop: Increasing Your Visibility
  • Games Night (hosted by Postdoc Reps)
  • Inter-department lunches
Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) 2023

In 2023, PAW took place between 18-22 September. Events included:

  • Welcome event: What the PFDC can do to support you
  • Q&A with Associate Provosts (EDI)
  • Transition to Independence Panel Event
  • Creating Connections and rediscovering joy session
  • Taming your inner critic
  • Crafting your Professional Narrative
  • Department of Brain Sciences Event: Future Science Leaders new season event
  • Games with Move Imperial in South Kensington
  • Networking in Hammersmith

The week was also marked by a series of appreciation messages from across the College, which can be viewed below: 

Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) 2022

In 2022, PAW took place between 20-23 September. Events included:

  • Welcome event: What the PFDC can do to support you
  • Q&A with Vice-Provost (Research & Enterprise)
  • Crafting your professional narrative – Increasing your visibility
  • Taming your inner critic
  • IPFEN and IPC event: Boost your research career by working with industry
  • Pathways for Postdocs Panel Event: Where will your career take you?
  • Fellowship interviews - In Person Event
  • Networking in South Kensington 

The week was also marked by a series of appreciation messages from across the College, which can be viewed below: 

Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) 2021

In 2021, PAW took place between 20-24 September. Events included: 

  • Q&A with the Provost
  • Pop-up: Increasing visibility – social media for academics
  • Workshop: Taming your inner critic
  • Pop-up: LinkedIn - How to build your profile and how to make the most out of it
  • Pop-up: Starting to think about a fellowship application
  • EDU: Teaching for postdocs
  • Workshop: Getting the best from people – Mentoring and coaching
  • IPFEN and IPC event: Boost your research career by working with industry 
Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) 2020

In 2020, PAW took place between 21-25 September. Events included: 

  • HoD virtual ‘coffee and cake’
  • “Transition to independence and leadership” panel discussion, followed by Q&A
  • “Postdoc life in a pandemic panel discussion”, followed by Q&A
  • Networks: How to Build, Maintain and Make the most of your Network