On 4 and 5 November 2026, Amsterdam Movement Sciences hosted its very first AMS Talent Research Retreat at the Van der Valk Hotel in De Bilt. With around 100 enthusiastic PhD candidates and Early Career Researchers joining us for the full two-day programme, the retreat was a success!
The retreat was all about bringing researchers together, encouraging new connections, and providing valuable skills and insights to support their academic and professional development. And judging by the active participation, engaging discussions, and enthusiastic atmosphere throughout both days, we can safely say it delivered!
Two days packed with inspiration and practical skills
The retreat featured a diverse programme of interactive workshops designed to equip PhD'rs and ECR's with valuable skills for their research careers and beyond.
The first day kicked off with Prof. Richard Jaspers, who explored the importance of building professional networks, followed by Allard Gerritsen, who shared practical insights into supervising BSc and MSc students. Dr. Koen Lemaire challenged participants to think about sustainability in science, while Dr. Kaj Emanuel and invited guests discussed career opportunities both within and outside academia.
In the afternoon, researchers from across the AMS research programmes showcased successful projects in the session From Funding to Impact, demonstrating how research ideas can develop into meaningful outcomes. Dr. Adam Weir then rounded off the educational programme with a workshop on academic writing, offering valuable insights into communicating scientific findings effectively.
The second day started with Karlijn Kooijman and Elianne Prangewho challenged participants to step outside their scientific bubble in by focusing on making complex research understandable and engaging for a broader audience. Prof. Sicco Bus and Dr. Helga Haberfehlner shared their expertise on national and European grant writing, providing practical advice on increasing the chances of securing research funding. Finally, Dr. Maarten Moenexplored how to build successful teams and help them excel.
Throughout both days, the workshops were met with enthusiasm and active participation. From exchanging experiences and discussing challenges to developing new skills, the sessions offered plenty of opportunities to learn from experts and each other.
More importantly, they highlighted that a successful research career involves much more than conducting excellent science: it is also about collaboration, communication, leadership, and making an impact.
Connecting Beyond the Workshops
Of course, a research retreat wouldn't be complete without some time to unwind. Alongside the educational programme, there were plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow researchers in a casual setting.
The shared dinner and evening drinks proved to be a highlight, with conversations (and dancing) continuing until the lights came back on!
As for photographic evidence of the evening's festivities? Well, let's just say some moments are best experienced in person. You just had to be there...
Thank You for Making It a Success!
A big thank you to all our speakers for sharing their knowledge, experiences, and expertise. Also we want to thank the organization (especially Joep Suskens) for all the effort put into the event. And, of course, a special thank you to all participants for joining us, actively engaging in the sessions, and contributing to such a welcoming atmosphere.
We hope everyone returned home with new connections, fresh perspectives, and practical insights they can carry forward throughout their research careers.
Here's to the first AMS Talent Research Retreat, and hopefully more to come!
đ¸ Relive the retreat! Take a look at the photos here.