Join the PGN for the first event of 2026, focusing on careers outside academia after completing a PhD. Our speakers will discuss their professional journeys, from graduation to securing roles beyond academia, and share insights into what to expect in non-academic work environments. This event offers a valuable opportunity to explore alternative career paths and gain practical advice.
Dr Dan Watson is a Research Associate, Conflict, Security and Development at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Prior to joining the IISS, Dan worked in various roles in higher education and in non-governmental organisations, including as senior researcher at ACLED; research coordinator for Saferworld’s Conflict Sensitivity Resource Facility; and as team lead at Trias Consult for two Sudan-related projects for the World Bank Group and UNOPS. He has a PhD in International Relations from the University of Sussex and an MA in Conflict, Development and Security from the University of Leeds.
Dr Amir Fard is a Senior Technologist at Ofcom, where he focuses on search and retrieval systems. Previously, he worked as a Senior Machine Learning Engineer focusing on recommender systems. Amir completed his PhD at TU Delft, where his research examined online anomalies, outlier behaviour, and the impact of recommender systems and automated agents on information flows across networks. He subsequently held a two year postdoctoral fellowship at the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences at Maastricht University. He holds a BSc in Computer Science and an MSc in Business and Economics. Alongside his industry role, Amir remains actively engaged with academia through publishing research, organising workshops, and delivering talks.
More speakers will be announced shortly.
The discussion will be followed by a Q&A.
Registration will close two hours before the event begins.