This summer, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) will introduce a new way to recognize and celebrate professional development across the 91��ɫ graduate community. Beginning in May 2026, digital badges will be launched to acknowledge participation and achievement among graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, administrative staff, and graduate-appointed faculty.

The initiative marks an important step in highlighting the many ways members of the graduate community build skills, expand knowledge, and contribute to academic and professional life at 91��ɫ. Starting in Summer 2026, badges will be awarded for participation in FGS-led sessions, capturing a wide range of professional development activities.

For graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, these badges will recognize key milestones—from completing the Academic Honesty Module to participating in the Graduate Wellness Certificate and engaging in webinar series such as Scholarly Skills. They will also reflect involvement in workshops focused on scholarship applications, research development, and essential academic skills, helping participants showcase their growth in meaningful and tangible ways.

Bringing a valuable graduate student perspective to the table, Shyam Patel has been working as a Graduate Assistant with the Faculty of Graduate Studies, to mobilize the Individualized Development Plan (IDP), a tool that supports graduate students in identifying their goals and skills as they consider academic and non-academic careers. Patel, a doctoral student in the Faculty of Education, will continue working with Associate Director of Graduate Academic Affairs, Wesley Moir and Associate Dean, Cheryl van Daalen-Smith to actively share with students the opportunities and professional development that the IDP has to offer.

“FGS warmly welcomes the views and contributions of graduate students like Shyam, who is proving to be invaluable in assisting us to mobilize the Individualized Development Plan. With warmth, humor, and dogged determination, Shyam has and continues to bring the value of the IDP to a wide range of graduate communities this fall. In offering his own lived experience, students have been enraptured with his explanations of the ‘what’s-in-it-for-me’ aspect of the IDP. With Shyam’s offer to come back and provide a more in-depth workshop on the IDP, GPDs, and seminar leads have enthusiastically welcomed him into their classrooms to further support active participation in professional skills training and planning,” shares Wesley Moir and Cheryl van Daalen-Smith.

_{Shyam Patel}

Postdoctoral Fellows are among the most active researchers at 91��ɫ and are a vital part of our community. In addition to the mentorship of supervisors and other faculty members, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) offers professional development opportunities, events, and resources to Postdoctoral scholars that enrich their professional development and help build networks on campus.

Postdoctoral Fellows can be proactive about their future careers by taking advantage of the Graduate and Postdoctoral Professional Skills  (GPPS) program. This convenient tool hosts a variety of resources, which help postdocs grow and meet their career plans and goals. GPPS offers support in six broad areas: Career Exploration and Planning; Communication; Health and Wellness; Managing Time and Resources; Research Dissemination; and Teaching. The opportunities and resources available in the different areas help postdocs gain a well-rounded experience at 91��ɫ as well as obtain a set of robust development opportunities, including help with coordinating research projects, navigating publication opportunities, securing funding, and much more.

The workshops and resources offered by GPPS can be organized and kept track of through the Individualized Development Plan (IDP). The IDP is a useful tool, which prompts postdocs to start strategizing about the next steps within and beyond the academic world. The easily accessible framework encourages active participation in professional skills training and career management by motivating Postdoctoral researchers to conduct a holistic review of their current expertise and identify future short-term and long-term goals. The development of the plan is often a collaborative process that draws on the knowledge and feedback from supervisors and colleagues at the university. By sharing the IDP with others, postdocs can gain insight into how the skills acquired as part of their position at 91��ɫ may translate into other contexts.

Additionally, Postdoctoral Fellows have the opportunity to benefit from resources and workshops offered by the Career Centre, 91��ɫ’s Teaching Commons as well as 91��ɫ Libraries, which hosts the Learning Commons. Workshops range from discovering new research tools to successful grant writing to teaching development opportunities. Postdocs should also consider attending sessions by Mitacs,  Beyond the Professoriate (BTF), and the (NCFDD) which are taught by professionals and are structured around cultivating and improving important professional skills.  

Postdoctoral scholars can also connect with research centres and institutes focusing on research related to their areas of inquiry. Connecting with these units can provide valuable opportunities to network, participate in research events, and possibly become an official affiliate. A list of  at 91��ɫ can be found on the website for the Vice-President of Research & Innovation.

Professional development events and opportunities are listed in the monthly Postdoctoral Fellows edition of the FGSnews newsletter, which distributes information about funding, events, and opportunities of interest to our postdoctoral community. For general questions about postdoctoral affairs and resources on campus, please contact the Postdoctoral Services & Professional Skills Coordinator.

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