Doc+ Dialogues: Turning Research Know-How into Value
Welcome to Doc+ Dialogues - new panel discussion series for Doctoral Researchers, PostDocs and Alumni. Come and connect with your collegial community in Marsio at the heart of Aalto.
Doc+ connects research impact with career direction - join the events!
Doc+ panels have brought together wide audiences in February and continue in March with two events to discuss doctoral careers and work-life skills that travel.
The new DOC+ panel discussion series will continue in March with two events: the theme on 2 March is how scientists transition to corporate world and entrepreneurial avenues. And on 17 March, Communication, curiosity and capital in science. Panels are open to all doctoral students and postdocs from Aalto University. Read more below and register!
What does a meaningful doctoral career look like?
During February wide audiences from all Aalto schools and alumni communities have joined Doc+ panels to reflect on a timely question: what does a meaningful doctoral career look like today? The diversity of participants reflects a shared recognition that there is no longer a single default research career. For some doctoral researchers and postdocs research impact means academic excellence. For others it means working with industry, shaping policy, building companies or communicating science to wider audiences. Increasingly it means navigating several of these worlds over the course of one career.
Doc+ connects our doctoral community with multi-disciplinary dialogue on career options and how research impact connects with career direction across sectors. You can register to coming panels here.
First events in February were a success
One recurring theme has been taking agency on building skills that travel. A panelist in the first Doc+ session, associate professor Ewald Kibler has reflected on entrepreneurial attitudes required in publishing, academic leadership and building meaningful scholarly communities.
In the second Doc+ panel, start-up entrepreneur and associate professor Imran Asghar shared how doctoral-level thinking translates into venture creation, and also how making impact with Aalto Junior is still close to his heart. Author and philosopher Frank Martela illustrated how scientific insight can be brought to public discussion beyond borders. Across these conversations, a common theme emerges: careers are rarely linear, agency matters and researchers must truly care about the questions they study.
A Living Room for doctoral connections
Beyond the panels Doc+ is gradually shaping the Marsio Living Room into a shared space for the doctoral community across disciplines. Informal gatherings around campus art and activities such as doctoral bowling offer moments to meet, exchange ideas and connect beyond research topics. This photo gallery gives a glimpse of the atmosphere with more welcoming events planned still for the spring.
Next Doc+ Dialogue panel sessions in March
The panel series continues on Monday 2 March 2026 addressing how scientists transition to corporate world and entrepreneurial avenues. Dr Johanna Sm氓ros shares insight from founding the science based unicorn RELEX Solutions. Dr Himadri Majumdar reflects on his VTT career and how he spun out the quantum technology company SemiQon. Dr Ulla Maija Uusitalo from Aalto University Executive Education will discuss how scientists can engage with companies and executive education environments. Common theme for this panel is 鈥渢urning research know-how into value鈥
On 17 March 2026 Dr Lauri Reuter, Professor Jens Schmidt and David Ventzel discuss 鈥淐ommunication, curiosity and capital in science鈥 addressing e.g. working with different audiences and the media. This session also presents new 鈥淰C Explorer鈥 program for scientists curious about building practical skills in start-up evaluation and investing.
What is Doc+?
Doc+ is Aalto University鈥檚 new initiative for strengthening the doctoral and postdoctoral community through shared learning, peer connection, and professional growth. It brings together researchers from all disciplines to engaging and enjoyable panel discussions, new courses and co-innovated social events. The initiative has wide support from Aalto faculties, Aallonhuiput Doctoral Researcher Association and Aalto Career Design Lab.
What is Doc+
Doc+ brings doctoral and postdoctoral researchers together to build transferable skills, connect across disciplines, and create impact in many directions 鈥 from advancing science and developing solutions for society to entrepreneurship and education. Come co-create your Aalto doctoral journey with us!
Doc+ Dialogues
Welcome to Doc+ Dialogues - the new panel discussion series for doctoral researchers and postdocs.
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