Networking for Success for Scientists & Researchers

A practical skills session to help researchers build and nurture meaningful professional connections

A focused online session that demystifies networking and builds practical skills for making meaningful professional connections.

This 2-hour interactive training helps researchers overcome networking anxiety and develop strategies to connect effectively with peers, collaborators, mentors, and potential funders.

Scientists, researchers, students, and staff will learn transferable networking skills they can apply at conferences, institutional events, online platforms, and informal professional settings.

Approach: Interactive skill-building with frameworks, group exercises, role-play practice, and action planning

Practical component: Participants practice conversation starters and follow-up strategies through structured exercises, then create a personalized networking action plan.

Delivery: 2 hours online (Zoom or your preferred platform)

Group size: up 100 participants

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SciComm Skills Session: Networking for Success for Scientists and Researchers

What we cover in 2 hours:

Why networking matters in research: raising profile, finding collaborators, securing funding, advancing careers
How to identify networking opportunities strategically: conferences, workshops, social media, institutional events, and everyday interactions
Making initial connections with confidence: starting conversations, introducing yourself effectively, asking meaningful questions
Adapting your approach to different contexts: formal conferences vs. informal settings, in-person vs. online networking
Following up and nurturing connections: when and how to follow up, maintaining relationships over time, staying visible without being pushy
Building an authentic networking practice: strategies that work for introverts and those who find networking uncomfortable

Practical work: Participants practice conversation techniques through structured exercises and leave with a concrete action plan for building and maintaining their professional network.

Interaction in this Skills Session is designed around guided individual exercises, chat-based reflection, and selected plenary discussion, rather than small-group coaching or personalised feedback.

What this session does NOT cover:

This session focuses on practical networking strategies and skills, not personal branding or professional presence more broadly. We don’t cover:

Developing your personal brand or professional identity
Creating elevator pitches or research summaries
Social media strategy or online profile optimisation
CV writing or career planning

Need those skills too?

See related training options below, or consider our comprehensive multi-day, 1-day, and half-day presentation training options.

See presentation training options

Perfect for

PhD programmes preparing students for conferences where networking is essential for career development
Graduate schools building professional development skills for early-career researchers
Research groups attending major conferences or seeking new collaborations
Institutions supporting researchers in career transitions or expanding international connections
Conference organisers offering professional development sessions as part of conference programming

This session works well as standalone training before conferences or as part of a broader professional development programme alongside personal branding and presentation skills.

Looking for related skills sessions or longer-format training?

Build complementary professional skills with other SciComm Skills Sessions like:

Personal Branding for Researchers (defining your professional identity)
Elevator Pitches for Scientists & Researchers (crafting your introduction)
Social Media 101 for Researchers (online networking strategies).

Need comprehensive support? Our Personal Branding, Pitching & Presence training covers professional identity, networking, and visibility in a full-day format.