PDA Covid-19 Survey

Policy, Uncategorized

Dear UBC Postdoc Community,

In order to identify and resolve any COVID19 response-associated issues you might be currently facing, the UBC Postdoc Association (PDA) would like to assess the impact of the state of emergency on UBC’s postdoc community.

Therefore, we have prepared an anonymous survey inquiring about the impact of the lock-down and research curtailments on UBC postdoc’s health, safety, work and research, immigration status, career paths, and financial situation.

Please take 5 to 10 minutes to give us your feedback and help us to identify situations that need immediate attention (University-wide or Department-specific), which we can then actively follow up on and present to the responsible authorities. If you are especially satisfied with how UBC or your Department responded to the pandemic, you can also take this opportunity to highlight what you appreciated.

Please follow this link to the (mobile-friendly!) survey and feel free to pass it on to other UBC- and affiliated postdocs:

https://bit.ly/ubcpda-covid-survey

Parts of the anonymous data collected in this survey will be incorporated in the national CAPS survey report on the COVID19 pandemic impacts on postdoc’s, which will provide the basis of national science policy discussions and negotiations (https://sciencepolicy.ca/news/limiting-negative-impact-covid-19-pandemic-canadian-postdoctoral-scholars).

Thank you for your cooperation!

Your UBC PDA team

Online Game Night

Socials
Join us for an online Games Night on Wednesday, June 17th @ 6pm on Zoom. 
We have games for everyone! You will be able to join different groups to play: Online pictionary, Card games and Codenames! Learn to play and if you already know how… you’ll know how much fun it’ll be! Roommates, partners and family welcome!

 

Register here: https://bit.ly/PDAgame-night

Do you have any other online game suggestions ? Let us know!

PDA Movie Night – Watch Party

Socials
Miss the smell of popcorn? Bored of watching movies alone? Join your UBC PDA for a THURSDAY NIGHT WATCH PARTY on June 11th at 7:00pm.

 

Register and Vote for your favorite movies here: https://bit.ly/PDAmovie-nightWe will watch the movie with the most votes together on Thursday, June 11th at 7:00 pm using the Netflix Party app (download google chrome extension here: https://www.netflixparty.com/). We will let you know which movie we will be watching the day before the movie party, so please RSVP!

Join us online for Trivia Night!

Events, Socials

We are excited to announce that we are transitioning our social events to online platforms! First virtual meet-up: Trivia Night!

So grab your favorite snacks and drinks while teaming up with other postdocs to answer fun trivia questions and socialize! There will be prizes (vouchers for local restaurants) for the winning team and runner-up!

Housemates and partners are welcome, but please let us know how many people will be joining so that we can form teams with the same number of people.

When? Tuesday, April 28th at 7pm

Where? Join from the comfort of your own home. We will send you a confirmation e-mail with the Zoom meeting ID and password after you have successfully registered!

Spots are limited, so be sure to sign-up early before it fills up!
Register here: https://bit.ly/pdatrivia

COVID-19: A message from the UBC PDA

Uncategorized

COVID-19: A message from the UBC PDA

Dear fellow postdocs,

Considering the circumstances, the UBC PDA has made the decision not to host any in-person gathering in the near future. We have cancelled our upcoming ski trip and will not be planning any socials and events until the COVID-19 situation has resolved in an effort to help to #flattenthecurve.

We are currently making plans on how to serve and strengthen the postdoc community during this time of isolation. Please stay tuned for updates. We are looking forward to welcoming you to online get-togethers!

We are aware that a lot of you will be dealing with different problems, such as ramping down research, finding a routine while working from home, travel bans – and being worried about your own health as well as about friends and family in Canada and abroad.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you are struggling – or if you just need someone to talk to. Supporting each other in this difficult time is the least we can do. Stay safe and healthy and take care of yourself and others!

 

Yours sincerely,

UBC Postdoctoral Association

 

We would like to share the following resources with you:

Regulations at UBC:

For the latest updates please visit https://covid19.ubc.ca

For those of you working in labs, all research activities have been curtailed until April 15th. Talk to your supervisor and department head about applying for an exemption to continue critical research and to maintain critical reagents/animal husbandry – but ONLY when absolutely necessary. For those of you who still have to come to campus, there’s free parking available. Stay safe!

 

COVID-19 update from the Postdoctoral Fellows Office:

https://www.postdocs.ubc.ca/covid-19

 

General information about COVID-19:

Latest information about COVID-19 in the World and in Canada

Stay informed, but please check the mental health resources below, as it is very easy to get overwhelmed by the news about the outbreak.

 

Getting involved as volunteer:

  • UBC Faculty of Medicine Educational Technology is urgently looking for volunteers to help translate informational videos about COVID-19 to as many languages as possible. More information on Twitter and Youtube.
  • Crowdfight Covid19 is looking for volunteers who assist in various (mostly administrative) tasks to fight against COVID-19. Scientists from all areas of research welcome. It takes one minute to sign up and you decide about your level of commitment. For questions contact crowdfightcovid19+contact@gmail.com.

 

Travel bans and advisories:

 

Funding insecurities:

 

Information regarding immigration:

  • Special regulations from the Canadian government for immigrants affected by COVID-19
  • If you have any questions regarding the impact of COVID-19 on your current application for a work permit/PR, reach out to IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) via the contact form in your online application portal. They get back to you within a week.

 

Managing Your Mental Health During the COVID-19 Outbreak:

Amidst the current outbreak of COVID-19, you may be developing feelings of fear, stress, worry and isolation – these feelings are natural when facing threats that are beyond our control. Everyone reacts differently to these feelings and they can be overwhelming for some. It is important to understand that if you need help in coping with these feelings, there are resources available. Below are articles and resources that will guide you in managing your mental health.

 

Fun activities from home:

Other resources available online or on the phone to support your mental health

 

UBC Counselling Services Counselling Services will be offering appointments by phone during the COVID-19 outbreak: 604 822 3811

  • MindhealthBC – Take a quick online assessment on your mental health and get resources for a variety of related concerns.
  • Here to Help – help you find quality information, learn new skills, and connect with key resources in BC
  • HealthlinkBC – If you still have questions call 811 to speak with a registered nurse, or access online resources for health-related questions.
  • CrisiscentreBC – If you or someone you know is feeling hopeless or at risk of harm, call or chat online with a crisis responder any time
  • TAO – Manage your well-being with tools on stress, relationship problems, substance use, and more. Register with a UBC email.

Webinar: Professional Development and Career Planning – Getting You Back in the Driver’s Seat

Events, Jobs and Funding, Professional Development, Seminars, Socials, Uncategorized

This is a joint event by us and the SFU PDA.

When? Feb 25, 11:30 am – 1 pm

Where? This webinar will be broadcast at

MSL (Michael Smith Laboratories) Room 237
(https://tinyurl.com/MSLRoom237)

Register now to secure your spot!

Light snacks will be provided!

Topics of the webinar include

  • Developing self awareness (Skills and personality assessment)
  • Personal branding
  • Getting out there (Online presence, networking)

The webinar is facilitated by Justine Salam. Justine is a Professional Skills Program Specialist at the University of Waterloo where she guides graduate students to assess their skills, identify their talents and interests, and succeed in their post-graduate work transition, both in academic and non-academic careers. She also coaches students one-on-one to better their resumes, CVs, cover letters and enhance their interview skills.

Justine Salam

 

PDA Bowling Night

Events, Socials

Join us for a night out of bowling on Commercial Drive!

When?

Either the evenings of Wed Feb 19th, or Thurs Feb 20th. You decide! 

Where?

Grandview Lanes on Commercial Dr.

https://www.grandviewbowling.com/home.html

Make sure your register by Friday, February 14th to reserve your spot on the lanes!

We will subsidize this event ($100 total)!

Contact ubc.postdoc@gmail.com or Ryan (rsweeney@chem.ubc.ca) if you have any questions about this event.

Make sure to register quickly to reserve your spot: bit.ly/2Uz06T8

PDA Whistler Ski Weekend

Events, Socials

The annual UBC PDA Whistler Weekend is an opportunity to meet some fellow UBC postdocs and enjoy a weekend in Whistler. This trip usually sees postdocs taking part in outdoor winter activities (skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing) and relaxing in Whistler village (day spas, restaurants, bars). Sign up quickly as we only have a few beds booked at the accommodation. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Dates: Friday April 3rd – Sunday April 5th, 2020

Cost: The total cost of Friday and Saturday night’s accommodation will be $120 per person, to be paid upon arrival. Additional costs will include transport, activities, and food/drinks.

Sign up and more information: https://bit.ly/37Znc9i

Career Networking Night – March 10th

Events, Jobs and Funding, Professional Development, Seminars, Socials

Join us for our Career Networking Night

This is a joint event by us and the SFU PDA.

Date: 10th March 2020, 5pm-7:30pm 
SFU Segal Building, 500 Granville Street, Vancouver

This is an excellent opportunity to connect with a variety of companies and employers in an informal setting. Discover the opportunities available outside academia, and what employers are looking for!

Register now!

The event will be held in the Segal Building (SFU downtown) from 5:30-7:30 pm (brief highlight presentations from our sponsors start at 5:30 pm), with light refreshments and a cash bar.

Of Note: As this is a networking & informal interview setting, we STRONGLY recommend business casual dress.

Representatives will be joining us from:
– Zymeworks
– New England Biosciences
– Amgen
– Mitacs
– 1QBit
– Fortinet
– The Government of Canada
– ABM
– Oceanwise
– 1QBit
– Aspect Biosystems
– Fortinet
– Genome BC
– SCWIST
– Special Projects and Strategic Initiative UBC
– Willow Biosciences
– more to be announced!

This event is free for all postdocs!

We will release more event details and will update this blog post closer to the date.

Hurry and register now! There are only a limited amount of spots available!

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions!

 

 

We are thankful for the support by our sponsors and exhibitors:

 

Zymeworks

 

New England Biolabs


 

 

Amgen