On 26 May 2026, the PANIONS Doctoral Candidates (DCs) came together online for their first dedicated introduction meeting, marking an important milestone in the launch of the PANIONS Doctoral Network. The event brought together the newly recruited researchers (Doctoral Candidates or DCs), the project coordinator, and the accelopment team, which supports project management and dissemination.
The meeting opened with a welcome and project overview by PANIONS Coordinator Prof. Dag Hanstorp (University of Gothenburg), followed by a round-table session where each Doctoral Candidate introduced themselves and presented their research topic. This first exchange offered participants an opportunity to learn about the diverse scientific expertise represented within the network and the complementary research projects that together contribute to advancing the physics and applications of negative ions.
The programme continued with an introduction to PANIONS, covering the project work plan, training programme, and planned secondments. These activities form the backbone of the Doctoral Network and will provide the researchers with interdisciplinary scientific training, international mobility opportunities, and valuable exposure to both academic and non-academic environments.
A dedicated session on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks framework provided an overview of the key principles governing the programme, including mobility requirements, doctoral enrolment, open science obligations, and the role of Doctoral Candidates within the network. Participants were also introduced to the project governance structure and their responsibilities regarding research, training, reporting, and outreach activities.
The final session focused on communication and outreach. The Doctoral Candidates were introduced to the European Commission’s requirements regarding communication, dissemination, exploitation, and open science, as well as PANIONS-specific procedures and expectations. The session highlighted the important role that researchers play in making science accessible to wider audiences and sharing the impact of their work beyond the scientific community.
During the discussion, the researchers received an overview of the PANIONS communication ecosystem and the many opportunities available to actively contribute throughout the project. Planned activities include contributions to the PANIONS website and social media channels, participation in a dedicated DC blog, preparation of popular science articles and press releases, involvement in video and podcast series, and engagement in public outreach events across Europe. These activities will allow the Doctoral Candidates to develop valuable communication skills while increasing awareness of the project and its scientific achievements. All DCs will provide input for these activities, and an “Outreach Support Team” of three DCs, rotating yearly, will coordinate this input.
As PANIONS enters its next phase, the Doctoral Candidates will play a central role not only in advancing frontier research on negative ions but also in engaging with scientific communities, stakeholders, and the public. Their contributions will help ensure that PANIONS delivers lasting scientific, technological, and societal impact.
Learn More and Stay Connected
Interested in learning more about the researchers driving PANIONS forward? Visit the Doctoral Candidates page on the PANIONS website to discover the individual projects, research topics, and institutions involved across the network.
To stay up to date with upcoming outreach activities, training events, videos, blogs, and project news, follow PANIONS on LinkedIn and subscribe to the PANIONS YouTube channel.
Many of the communication and outreach activities showcased during the introduction meeting will be led by the Doctoral Candidates themselves, providing regular insights into their research journeys and the exciting science behind PANIONS.