Buddy Program
The Buddy Program debuts at the Bernstein Conference 2024 in Frankfurt am Main, pairing newcomers (mentees) with experienced participants (mentors) in “buddy teams”. This initiative aims to help newcomers navigate the conference, expand their network, and integrate into the computational neuroscience community.
Why join?
Large conferences can be overwhelming for first-time attendees. From choosing the right sessions to networking effectively, there’s much to manage. The Buddy Program provides support through mentors who introduce mentees to the Bernstein Conference world, offers insider tips, and facilitates valuable connections.
What to expect?
For mentees: Gain personalized guidance, expand your network, and receive advice on making the most of the conference experience. Even if you’re supported by your research group, the Buddy Program offers valuable external perspectives and additional networking opportunities.
For mentors: Share your expertise, gain fresh perspectives, and contribute to the growth of the community while expanding your own network.
Who can participate?
The Buddy Program is open to all conference participants. Whether you’re a student, PhD candidate, postdoc, or established researcher, you can sign up as either a mentor or mentee. Mentors can indicate their preference for the number of mentees they’d like to support (up to a maximum of 3).
How it works?
There are no strict requirements for buddy teams, allowing flexibility to tailor the experience to individual needs. We recommend at least one in-person meeting, such as a coffee break at the start of the conference. Mentors can advise on session selection, time management, and must-attend events. They may also introduce mentees to colleagues and engage in informal research discussions.
Join us!
Interested in participating as a mentor or mentee? Enhance your Bernstein Conference experience by filling out the registration form by Thursday, Sep 19, 23:59 CEST. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and grow within the computational neuroscience community!
Next steps
Shortly before the conference, we’ll notify you of your buddy team pairing. This gives you time to connect via email before the conference, allowing you to start getting to know each other and discuss your expectations for the Bernstein Conference.
The Buddy Program is an initiative of Lisa Haxel, student representative of the Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience.
