EBCL Researcher Leads International Survey on Professional Challenges of Early Career Scientists
By Alexandra Chaskopoulou
Alexandra Chaskopoulou, EBCL Research Scientist, served as the President of the Society for Vector Ecology (SOVE, https://www.sove.org) in 2023 during which time she led the design and implementation of a global survey on the professional challenges faced by early career scientists in the field of vector biology and control. Students and early-career professionals represent the next generation of emerging professionals that will be tasked with addressing the biggest questions and challenges in their field of work. These individuals, however, encounter a number of barriers as they begin their careers including social, cultural, and institutional challenges among many others. Studies and surveys have been conducted globally to better understand, identify, and overcome these challenges which can vary depending on the country, but, also on the field of work. The SOVE survey was administered in 21 countries and touched upon many factors that influence the professional experiences of early career scientists such as gender, country of origin, field of studies/work, and factors that guide their choices. The survey identified more than 10 challenges affecting these young professionals at varying levels and established a list of targeted activities that could benefit students and early career professionals in the field of vector control. The results of the survey are already guiding educational/developmental activities organized by SOVE in collaboration with other partners. If you would like to learn more about the survey you can access the SOVE article published at the society’s newsletter (Christaki et al. 2023). Also, if you are interested in joining initiatives aiming to support early career scientists or students reach out directly to Dr. Chaskopoulou.
References
- Christaki Androniki, Poh Karen, Abourashed Ayat, McCarthy Christina, Gunay Filiz, Chaskopoulou Alexandra. Insights from the SOVE Student and Early Career Professionals Survey. SOVE Newsletter 55(4), December 2023 (p.10-13) Accessible at https://www.sove.org/newsletter
For inquiries regarding this article contact: Alexandra Chaskopoulou, achaskopoulou@ars-ebcl.org.
The European Biological Control Laboratory (EBCL) was established in 1991 near Montpellier, France. EBCL was created by the merger of the former European Parasite Laboratory, established in Paris in 1919, and the Biological Control of Weeds Laboratory in Rome. EBCL has a satellite laboratory in Thessaloniki, Greece. As the only USDA ARS-operated laboratory outside the United States, EBCL develops biological control technologies which can be used to suppress invading weeds and insect pests of Eurasian origin. EBCL researchers do this by searching for natural enemies (insects, mites, and pathogens) in their native habitat, determining their identity, testing their host specificity and potential impact in laboratory and field experiments, and shipping promising organisms to the U.S. for further testing as biological control agents. EBCL collaborates with scientists in many countries in Europe, Asia, and Africa to explore in regions of origin of the target weeds and insects.
