31. Events that Actually Work: Cameron McKnight on Building Research Communities that Last

View the full show notes, including a summary of practical tips on the Amplifying Research website: https://www.amplifyingresearch.com/podcast/31-cameron-mcknight 

 

Looking to run events that researchers actually want to attend? Cameron McKnight shares practical insights on building sustainable research communities and running events that deliver real value.

Cameron McKnight is a PhD candidate at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, where his research focuses on modeling mitochondrial diseases using CRISPR-edited human pluripotent stem cells. He's also a passionate advocate for building better research communities, having led several successful programs designed to support researchers at all career stages.

"In the end, all of this is volunteer work for scientists. We don't get paid to run these events... But if you're going to do it, you're better off making a huge effort and changing it more dramatically." -- Cameron McKnight

From scheduling that works for busy researchers to documentation that ensures long-term success, Cameron offers practical advice you can start implementing today to make your research events and communities more impactful.

Our conversation covers:

• Why research networks and collaborations are crucial in modern science

• Common pitfalls in running research events (and how to avoid them)

• Practical strategies for organizing sustainable events on a budget

• How to build consistency and continuity into volunteer-run programs

• Making events accessible and valuable for all participants

• Simple tools and systems for effective event organization

• Building communities that extend beyond single events

• The importance of proper handover documentation

Find Cameron McKnight online:

• Linked In — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-mcknight-78740b44