23 THINGS INTERNATIONAL
ABOUT
23 Things International is a unique global collaboration for researchers at leading institutions around the world. It introduces you to tools and techniques to enhance your strategic thinking, productivity, and professional profile. For researchers of all disciplines and career stages it is also a wonderful opportunity to meet and collaborate with others in related disciplines around the world.
The programme started as a small collaboration between University of Surrey and Otago University, but every year we've been delighted to add new partners. For 2024 we have institutions in the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Indonesia, and Singapore, as well as the Africa Research Excellence Fund, covering a whole continent. (We are also open to new members, so if your institution is not yet a member, do get in touch!)
THE RUN DOWN
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During the programme we have some optional live opportunities to meet fellow participants - including a unique 48-hour writing retreat!
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Participants are grouped into 'pods' with researchers at other institutions but with overlapping research interests. For 2024 we link people via the 17 UN Sustainable development goals, generating unexpected links through the potential impact of your research. The programme is a chance to build international networks and broaden your perspective. There will be some blog activities to do together with your pod, and support available for getting started on our dedicated Discord server (watch this video for a short introduction to Discord). Most pods agree to meet 2-3 times a month, with informal communications as desired.
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Each week we will release two related 'Things', each of which is a short blog post about a useful piece of software, a website, or research technique, with suggestions for further exploration and reading. The blogs are written by academics and experts from our partner institutions, sharing real experience and know-how. Optional extension activities and reading help you to maximise the benefit of topics most relevant to you. You can concentrate on the topics most relevant to your interests, whether that's their proximity to your research topic or the goals they can help you reach.
The high-level goals we address include using your research to address social justice, improving your productivity, influence and professional standing, understanding the global research landscape, funding your research, and considering the wellbeing of yourself and others.
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23Things is a combination of self-guided learning to suit any timetable, collaborative discussions in small groups, and a week-by-week structure to help you keep on track. The course starts on 4th March 2024 and runs for 14 weeks.
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There is no formal assessment at the end of the programme, but if you read all the blogs and attempt at least half the tasks you can claim our unique certificate and digital badge.
HOW TO START
The registration link will be open until 23rd February. Fill in the form and you will receive a confirmation email. Shortly before the programme starts we will be in touch with information about your pod, and the first 'Thing' will go live 4th March.
You can already subscribe to the Things (button below) to ensure you don't miss anything once it get published.
Registered participants will be invited to join our Discord server once the programme starts, so you can meet other researchers. In the meantime, our FAQs may be useful to find out more...