Following the success of the inaugural colloquium last year, the Centre for Palliative Care (part of St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and a Collaborating Centre of the University of Melbourne) organised another excellent gathering of around eighty palliative care researchers on 7-8th August 2014, which was held in the elegant surroundings of the Rendezvous Grand Hotel Melbourne.

The conference kicked off with the Early Career Researcher Breakfast Forum. Entitled ‘Building a Career in Research’, dozens of eager early career researchers (and quite a few self-professed ‘early early career researchers’) listened intently to talks from Prof Jon Emery, A/Prof Jenny Philip, Prof Janet Hiller and Anna Ugalde. They prescribed healthy doses of ‘persistence, mentorship, good ideas and luck’, encouraged brevity when writing project proposals (‘write like Tim Winton’), explored the importance of mentorship and collaboration, and provided invaluable tips on how to apply for funding and disseminate findings. The interactive panel discussion at the conclusion of the forum offered up even more open and honest advice, rounding off a great start to the two-day event. Continue reading →