The academic pathway is often considered as the natural next step for scientists, however, in some divisions, up to 70% of PhD graduates will go into work outside of academia. There are many different careers beyond academia which require or benefit from a research background, but often early career scientists struggle to make the transition due to reduced support and networking.
In this panel discussion, scientists with a range of backgrounds give their advice on building a career. The panel will start by discussing common career questions, such as how to transition between academia and industry, and what are the pros and cons of a career inside and outside of academia. The session will then conclude with panellists answering questions from the audience. This short course is targeted at early career scientists, but is open to anyone considering the next step in their career.
Panellists:
Dan Evans (Science Communication + Academia) - Senior Lecturer at the Soil and Agrifood Institute, University of Cranfield, UK; EGU Early Career Scientist Union Representative, 2024-2025, and winner of the EGU 2024 Arne Richter Award for Outstanding Early Career Scientists.
Joshua Howgego (Science Journalism + Academia) - Acting Head of Features at New Scientist, author of The Meteorite Hunters, and winner of the EGU 2026 Angela Croome Award for for space and Earth science journalism.
Margarita Ruiz Ramos (Science-for-Policy + Academia) - Outstanding National Expert in the Climate and Planetary Boundaries Unit, party of the Directorate General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission; Professor in the Department of Agricultural Production at the School of Agricultural, Food and Biosystems Engineering (ETSIAAB), Spain.
Maria Vittoria Gargiulo (Freelance + Academia) - Freelance researcher and educator in risk and natural hazards, an IMI (International Mediation Institute) qualified Mediator and Positive Peace Activator trained by Rotary International and the Institute of Economics and Peace, and the EGU Early Career Scientist Union Representative, 2026-2027.
Philip Heron (Science Communication + Academia) - Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC); winner of the EGU 2026 Katia and Maurice Krafft Award for science communication and public engagement.