The 2nd ‘Connect21’ early career seminar

On November 19, 2021, the second Connect21 early career seminar was held, marking another milestone in the project’s pursuit of addressing knowledge gaps in global urban real estate research.

The aim of the Connect21 project is to establish an interdisciplinary and interprofessional network of planning and real estate scholars through the joint development of a webinar series and two early career seminars. Institutional partners of the project are the Association of European Schools of Planning Young Academics Network (AESOP YA), the PhD network of the European Real Estate Society (ERES PhD Network), and the Future Leaders of the African Real Estate Society (FLAfRES).

The primary objective of the seminar was to provide early career scholars (PhD students and postdoctoral researchers) with a platform for tailored support and networking. Participants had the opportunity to receive feedback, share knowledge, and build their capacities. The seminar fostered valuable interactions between early career scholars and experienced mentors who specialized in bridging interdisciplinary divides.

Academic mentors Dr. Isil Erol (University of Reading), Em. Prof. Dr. Ed Nozeman (University of Groningen), and Dr. Sina Shahab (University of Cardiff), played a crucial role in the seminar. They offered their expertise and engaged in discussions with the selected participants, addressing the specific challenges faced by each individual in their research projects. By sharing insights and strategies, these mentors provided invaluable guidance to the participants, aiding them in overcoming interdisciplinary obstacles.

The selected participants of the 2nd Connect 21 early career seminar were:

• Ann-Christin Sreball (TU Kaiserslautern)
• Pierre le Brun (Avignon Université)
• Federico Camerin   (Università Iuav di Venezia)
• Tamer Elshayal (Harvard University)
• Martyna Surma (University of Reading)
• Monica Lopez Franco (University College London)

The Connect21 early career seminar was structured into three distinct parts to maximize engagement and knowledge sharing.

Part I commenced with an introduction to set the context for the seminar. This was followed by research pitches from the selected participants, where they presented their ongoing work and research objectives. Subsequently, two rounds of in-depth discussions and feedback sessions were conducted, allowing the academic mentors to provide individualized guidance and support.

Part II expanded the session to accommodate a wider audience of interested early career scholars. This segment featured a moderated panel discussion among the academic mentors, focusing on the challenges and opportunities associated with conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of planning and real estate studies. The panel provided an open forum for exchanging ideas and insights, contributing to a broader understanding of the field’s complexities.

Part III involved short presentations from representatives of early career networks. They highlighted the activities and opportunities within their respective networks, fostering a sense of community and enabling participants to explore additional avenues for collaboration. Furthermore, an informal networking opportunity, including an academic speed dating game, provided a relaxed environment for early career scholars to interact and build connections.

The second Connect21 early career seminar successfully brought together a diverse group of early career scholars engaged in research at the interface of planning and real estate studies. We are currently working on bringing our experiences together in a joint publication.