Volha Lazuka about Talent Track: I have recently received a Sapere Aude grant, which was a goal

What impact has Talent Track had on your career, ambitions, and goals?

Talent Track has significantly supported my research ambitions by demonstrating the Faculty's backing and providing resources that helped bring my ideas to fruition. I used most of the funding to attend high-quality international courses on cutting-edge methods and to employ student assistants for data collection on my research project. I have recently received a Sapere Aude grant, which was a goal of my Talent Track proposal.

How has your participation in Talent Track influenced your professional and personal development?

I found the workshops and lectures for Talent Track fellows very enlightening. They provided invaluable insights on advancing a research career and it was enriching to be surrounded by talented, motivated peers from various disciplines, fostering a collaborative rather than competitive environment.

This setting allowed us to share experiences and learn from each other's challenges and successes. Additionally, I honed my leadership skills managing a small team of student assistants.

What is the most exciting thing in your career right now?

Currently, my focus is on the Sapere Aude grant I just received for the project Long-term social change through normalization reforms targeting people with disabilities and their peers. I’m eager to tackle the challenging research tasks ahead and engage in extensive international collaboration. Learn more about the new project here.

What advice would you offer to other researchers who are joining Talent Track?

Talent Track is an excellent opportunity for young academics to foster their development. For me, it was instrumental in refining and enhancing my Sapere Aude application.