UK National Postdoc Appreciation Week: 15-19 September 2025
Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) is an annual celebration of the work and contributions of postdocs across the UK
PAW began in the US and was taken up in the UK a few years ago. Oxford celebrates with events for postdocs that offer support, connections and a chance to relax and chat with other researchers.
This year the Oxford Research Staff Society (OxRSS) and Bodleian Library are offering several events. Details are available below.
As PAW 2025 begins, David Gavaghan, Academic Advocate for Research Staff, reflects on the importance of celebrating our researcher community.
National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW) provides a great opportunity right at the start of the new academic year to celebrate the work of the University's more than 5000 postdoctoral researchers. Our postdoctoral research staff provide the backbone of our research through the impact of their own work and their supervision of graduate students, and are vital to our continued success as a world-leading university.
Over the last year the University has introduced several new initiatives to recognise this importance and to provide further support for the career development of our postdocs. A new category has been added to the Vice Chancellors Awards that recognises the work of researchers at the early stages of their careers who have made a significant impact at the University. The inaugural entries were deemed so strong that as well as announcing a winner, the judging panel highly commended the work of all of the finalists. A description of the work of the finalists and links to two of their flash talks can be found here.
The Researcher Hub, which coordinates the University's support for its research staff, has worked with colleagues across the Collegiate University to develop the next stage of the University's work in meeting its commitment under the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. Over the next five years, our action plan will focus on addressing the career-related issues that our postdoctoral researchers have told us are most important for them. These include re-shaping employment approaches for research staff on external research funding, equipping academic managers/PIs to provide a supportive and nurturing environment for all research staff, and enabling routine researcher engagement in effective professional development.
Finally, I would like to highlight the work of the large number of postdoctoral researchers who give so much of their time to representation work at University, division, department and college levels. These researchers give voice to the opinions of the postdoc community at all levels of University governance, from Council to departmental committees. Please do consider using the activities in NPAW to meet some of your representatives, and maybe to explore how you can get involved in their work.
Below are some events and activities for researchers to mark each day of NPAW, and we encourage you to celebrate researchers in your departments and faculties.
Wishing everyone a very successful Postdoc Appreciation Week.
David Gavaghan, Academic Advocate for Research Staff
Bodleian Networking Lunch for Postdocs at the Radcliffe Science Library – Tuesday, 16 September, 12 to 1.30pm
Sign up for a networking event and pizza lunch with the Radcliffe Science Library. Meet fellow postdocs, eat free pizza and get a brief update on services to support you and your research. Book your place on the networking lunch here.
Postdoc Tour of the Old Bodleian – Wednesday, 17 September, 10 to 11am
Beginning in the Radcliffe Science Library, an RSL Subject Librarian will escort you on a tour of the Old Bodleian and Radcliffe Camera. Learn a little about the 800-year history of the library and visit beautiful locations such as the famous Duke Humfrey's Library. Please note this tour includes many unavoidable stairs and uneven surfaces and booking is essential. Book your place on the tour here.
Tour the of Old Bodleian for OxRSS – Thursday 18 September, 2 to 3pm
Beginning in the Radcliffe Science Library, an RSL Subject Librarian will escort you on a tour of the Old Bodleian and Radcliffe Camera. Learn a little about the 800-year history of the library and visit beautiful locations such as the famous Duke Humfrey's Library. Please note this tour includes many unavoidable stairs and uneven surfaces and booking is essential. Book your place on the tour here.
OxRSS Pub Social at The King’s Arms (city centre) – Thursday, 18 September, from 6.30pm
The Oxford Research Staff Society invites you to a pub social to celebrate Postdoc Appreciation Week. OxRSS holds weekly pub socials for researchers on Thursdays at different venues, giving you a chance to chat with other researchers and sample Oxford’s pleasant pubs. No purchase of alcoholic drinks is required. There is no need to register and all researchers are welcome.
OxRSS Board Games Night at the University Club – Friday, 19 September, 5.30 to 8.30pm
The Oxford Research Staff Society invites you to a board games night to celebrate Postdoc Appreciation Week. OxRSS holds fortnightly board games evenings at the University Club for researchers, normally on Tuesdays from 8pm, giving you a chance to relax with other researchers. There is no need to register and all researchers are welcome.
