PolyDoc welcomes and encourages ideas from PhD students for events and longer-term initiatives that can contribute to the development and well-being of our community, and we’re there to offer our support. Below are a few examples of ongoing initiatives that were started by PhD students at EPFL. If you’d like to join any of these initiatives, or even start one of your own, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]!
PhD Parents’ Network
Are you one of the brave souls leading a double life? By day, caring for a tiny human, by night, writing a thesis? Not only do you run experiments and change your manuscripts, but you also run after your child and change their diapers. PolyDoc’s PhD Parents’ Network wants to help keep you connected with other PhD parents to show you that you’re not alone! The network is open to any EPFL PhD student who is already a parent or a parent-to-be. Send us an email to join!
Neurodiversity Working Group
PolyDoc is helping to organize a Neurodiversity Working Group to help promote the important role that neurodiverse individuals play in our community, highlighting their strengths and talents while ensuring an inclusive environment for everyone.
What is neurodiversity, you ask? It’s a concept that regards differences in brain function and behavioral traits as part of normal variation in the human population. It also includes individuals with conditions such as autism spectrum, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, OCD and others. Neurodiverse individuals are able to approach problems from a different viewpoint and way of thinking, leading to creative and innovative solutions, and are well-present in the sciences and engineering fields.
You’re invited to join this working group whether you’re neuroatypical or not – diversity is the key! To join, simply send us an email.