The group standing outside the University of Bergen Museum (photo: Tori Pedersen)
The last annual meeting of the CHESS research school successfully gathered over 70 invited guests, members, and alumni to celebrate the achievements of the school and to signify its closure. After the opening, the director, Thomas Spengler, delivered a retrospective on the school’s history and accomplishments. Invited guests, members of the school’s evaluation board, and representatives of CHESS partner institutions from the consortium shared their reflections on the school’s relevance and impact.
In the afternoon, five CHESS alumni were gathered on stage to share their career trajectories and the significance of the CHESS community and educational offerings in their PhD journeys and beyond. They highlighted the supportive and collaborative environment fostered by the CHESS community, which is particularly beneficial for new PhD students by enhancing their networking opportunities.
As with previous CHESS annual meetings, this event included a non-scientific session. This year, two experts from UiB conducted a career development workshop, introducing the concept of career anchors. Through a self-administered test, participants gained insights into their personal identities, values, and preferred career paths.
To conclude the meeting, the CHESS director outlined the vision and specific strategies for integrating the school’s legacy into the Norwegian Geophysical Society (NGS), ensuring the continuation of the network that has been meticulously built throughout the school’s existence.
We thank all attendees for making this final gathering a special event and express our sincere appreciation for the support and collaboration that have shaped the school’s journey. We eagerly anticipate the continuation of the national network and core courses through the NGS in the future.
photos: top right by Tori Pedersen, others by Kerim Nisancioglu
Related article: https://bjerknes.uib.no/en/article/news/chess-ends-high-note