Blog Purpose and Audience The PAND blog, PANDaVerse, is a platform for early-career researchers in Denmark. It features personal essays related to the challenges and experiences faced in the academic and professional journeys of early-career researchers. The primary goal of PANDaVerse is to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among early-career researchers. Our target audience includes PhD students, postdocs, and research assistants in Denmark. Blog Submission Guidelines Content Style and Tone Blog posts should follow a personal essay style. The writing should be polished yet conversational, avoiding formal or technical language. You can refer to the articles on Nature Careers and Science Working Life for reference, as well as the PAND website. Citing Sources and References Blog posts should not include traditional academic references, but if you use external sources beyond your personal experience or opinions, provide clear source information, such as links or a resource list at the end. Word Count, Images and Multimedia Blog posts should be concise, with a target length of around 400 words. No images or multimedia elements are required for initial submission but can be included if relevant. Editorial Review Process Blog posts will be reviewed before publishing, and authors may be requested to make minor edits or revisions. Submission Format Essays should be submitted digitally, preferably as a Word file or a Google Doc. Submission Process Authors should email their drafts to press@phddenmark.dk. Please type “Blog submission – [Author Name]” in the subject line. Author Bio A brief author biography of 2-3 sentences is required at the end of each blog post. We look forward to your contributions to the PANDaVerse. Your personal stories and insights will contribute to the collaborative and supportive community of early-career researchers in Denmark. PAND Storytelling Award: Illuminating the Tales of Denmark’s Emerging Scholars A Storytelling Contest and Presentation Opportunity. All accepted articles will automatically qualify for our storytelling contest. The shortlisted* authors will be invited to give a 5-minute talk or presentation on a related topic at the PAND General Assembly scheduled for March 2024. The top 3 winners of the contest will be determined by an on-site vote from the audience at the assembly. Prizes 1st Place 2500 DKK 2nd Place 1500 DKK 3rd Place 1000 DKK These prizes are allocated from PAND’s budget. *A jury composed of PAND board members and external experts will shortlist 6 articles according to the evaluation criteria below. Not Barbed, yet Borders - By Paul (pseudonym) PhD student at the University of Southern Denmark. Image generated by OpenAI's DALL-E, used with permission. In the span of half a day, I was transported from a world of crumbling sidewalks and absent signage to an alienating, protective bubble of a precision-driven island. As the setting... Following the Neuro[divergent] Pathways - By Klaudia Tokarska PhD student at the Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen. Image generated by OpenAI's DALL-E, used with permission. Did I need to get a mental disorder to study Neuroscience? Of course not. But I did. And that has led me to where I am now. For... Self-Reflection in Cold Waters - By Natacha Leininger Severin PhD student at the Department of Veterinary and Animal Science, University of Copenhagen. Image generated by OpenAI's DALL-E, used with permission. Time as a PhD student is brief, and many of us spend too much of this time on worry and self-doubt instead of celebrating the...
Evaluation Criterion
Description
Relevance and Originality
How well the article addresses the experiences of early-career researchers, the uniqueness of perspective and the alignment with the contest theme.
Writing Quality
The clarity, coherence, and engagement of the writing, including storytelling and narrative flow.
Adherence to Guidelines
Compliance with the submission guidelines, including word count, style and format.
Impact
The potential of the article to inspire, inform, or engage the target audience and contribute to the PANDaVerse platform.
