SHIELD Doctoral Network launches Initial Orientation Workshop in Gothenburg
The SHIELD Doctoral Network (DN) successfully held its Initial Orientation Workshop in Gothenburg, Sweden, 12–17 April 2026, bringing together doctoral candidates, academic and clinical supervisors, industry partners, advisory board members, and management representatives from across Europe and beyond.
Hosted by the University of Gothenburg, the six-day on-site event marked a key milestone in the implementation of SHIELD, an EU-funded Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Doctoral Network focused on implant‑associated infections.
Building a shared foundation
The workshop welcomed 16 doctoral candidates recruited within SHIELD, representing universities, research hospitals, and industrial partners across 11 countries. The programme was designed to provide a strong shared foundation in research ethics, scientific integrity, research methodology, and scientific communication, while also fostering team building and initial collaboration within the network.
The event opened with a welcome dinner on Sunday evening, allowing the doctoral candidates to meet informally before the start of the scientific and training programme. On Monday, the workshop officially commenced with an introduction to SHIELD, followed by sessions on ethics, equality and diversity, research integrity, and data management, highlighting the values and responsibilities underpinning doctoral research in the network.
Training across disciplines and sectors
Throughout the week, participants engaged in an intensive and highly interactive programme combining lectures, hands-on workshops, and group activities. Key training elements included:
- Introduction to research methodologies and experimental techniques, with practical case studies hosted by the Department of Biomaterials at the University of Gothenburg.
- Dedicated sessions on ethics and research integrity, scientific writing, and popular science communication including insights from experienced editors and researchers, and a nationally recognised science communicator.
- Clinical and translational perspectives on implant-associated infections, covering orthopaedic devices, hearing implants, and peri-implantitis.
- Presentations by all doctoral candidates, introducing their individual research projects and placing them within the broader SHIELD scientific objectives.
The programme also featured contributions from industry partners and clinical experts, reinforcing SHIELD’s intersectoral approach and highlighting the relevance of industrial and clinical collaboration in addressing healthcare challenges.
Advisory input, governance, and collaboration planning
A dedicated session was held with the Independent Ethics Advisor and the External Expert Advisory Board, giving the doctoral candidates early exposure to external oversight, ethical guidance, and strategic scientific advice.
The workshop further included small‑group meetings to plan upcoming secondments, enabling doctoral candidates and supervisors to define concrete collaboration pathways between academic, clinical, and industrial partners. Site visits, including a tour of the Department of Orthopaedics at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, offered valuable insight into the clinical environment relevant to SHIELD research.
Strengthening the SHIELD network
Beyond the formal training activities, the workshop placed strong emphasis on network building, with social events, team‑building activities, and networking dinners creating opportunities for informal exchange and cohesion across the consortium.
The final day was dedicated to the internal governance of the network, with meetings of SHIELD’s boards and committees, and the Supervisory Board, ensuring alignment on training strategy, dissemination, research coordination, and doctoral support structures.
Looking ahead
The Initial Orientation Workshop successfully established a shared scientific, ethical, and organisational framework for the SHIELD Doctoral Network. By bringing together doctoral candidates and partners at the very start of the project, the event laid the groundwork for effective collaboration, high‑quality research training, and impactful outcomes over the coming years.
The SHIELD Doctoral Network is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme under the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks, and will continue its structured training activities with upcoming secondments, workshops, and network-wide events.
Text: Margarita Trobos
Photo gallery from the meeting
