20 January 2026
Building Community: Peer Support Groups of the YUFE Pilot on Postdoctoral Training and Development Reach Over 100 Postdocs
The YUFE postdoc peer support groups, launched within the YUFE Pilot on Postdoctoral Training and Development, have successfully completed their first cycle, bringing together postdoctoral researchers across the alliance through facilitator-led peer support groups. With 13 trained facilitators launching 11 diverse groups, the initiative reached 117 postdocs, creating spaces for connection, growth, and mutual support.
From Training to Community
In January and February 2025, 13 postdocs participated in an intensive facilitator training program to equip them with the skills needed to lead peer support groups. The training covered essential topics such as building cohesive groups, shaping group dynamics, facilitator responsibilities, and navigating challenging situations through case study discussions.
Following the training, facilitators launched 11 peer support groups tailored to diverse interests and needs within the postdoc community. These ranged from practice-oriented groups such as Writing and Career Planning, to identity-based spaces such as Queer Scientists and Parents of (Young) Children.
The Power of Peer Support
Peer support is a value-driven approach, with mutual guidance and support at its core. Group members offer active and empathetic listening, validate diverse experiences, and share their own stories to help each other navigate academic and professional challenges. The groups provide a crucial support system that helps members manage stress and overwhelm while maintaining motivation. By normalizing the challenges of postdoc life and offering encouragement and perspective, peers create a space where struggling is acknowledged not as weakness, but as a shared experience that can be navigated together. The exchange can also take shape in very practical knowledge sharing, where participants discuss what they have found useful in their day-to-day research tasks, from academic writing and publishing to research grant procedures, time management, and celebrating their achievements.
Looking Ahead
The success of this first cycle demonstrates a strong need for peer-to-peer connection within the postdoctoral community. As facilitators recently gathered to reflect on their experiences and share learnings, the program continues to evolve and improve in preparation for the next cycle.
For postdocs navigating the unique challenges of this career stage, peer support offers something that formal mentorship and institutional structures often cannot: meaningful connection with others who truly understand the journey.
