Frequently asked questions about Pufendorf Academy

8 workshops and 2 assignments... That's still quite a lot of working time. What's in it for me?

A larger and broader network, insight into funding opportunities, publication options and collaborations, become a more confident writer and a time-management “whiz” – well, does not harm an academic career, regardless of which subject discipline one "originates in".

Is the programme only for researchers who have attended the LMK Foundation's Idéforum?

Yes. However, there are always room for former Idéforum participants. Contact asa [dot] thormahlen [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (asa[dot]thormahlen[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

Are there any Workshops that are open to everyone at Lund University?

Yes! Subscribe to the Pufendorf Newsletter to find out which events are open to all researchers at Lund University. Among other things, the opportunity at the end of May/June, which deals with external funding for interdisciplinary projects – usually very popular!

Link to Pufendorf IAS Newsletter subscription

Do you have to attend all the Workshops in the programme?

We can't force you to attend, naturally,  but hopefully all workshops are relevant. The value of actually meeting the entire group once a month in the beautiful Pufendorf Institute shouldn't be underestimated. 

Is the program free of charge? 

Yes. Food is included too. 

Do I need to get approval from my manager to attend Pufendorf Academy?

We do not require the manager's approval, but as it is a competence development initiative, we recommend that you bring it up during your annual staff appraisal. Plus: You were still one of the nominees for the LMK Foundation's Idéforum, so probably management is interested in "what happened next". 

The workshops are always during the morning until lunch - some even longer than that. If I get hungry...? 

Don’t worry. Breakfast and lunch are included in all workshops. Just don't forget that meals are subject to benefit taxation. 

If I attend Pufendorf Academy, does it give me any advantage in my career? 

In the short term: Probably not. In the longer term: A larger and broader network, insight into funding opportunities, new publication options and collaborations, to become a more confident writer and a time-management “whiz" ... well, does not harm an academic career, regardless of discipline. 

Is Pufendorf Academy a leadership programme?

No. But there are lots of different types of management/leadership programmes at Lund University if you are interested in this (too):

Link to Lund University Staff Pages about professional and careers development

Can I also have free access to the Pufendorf Institute on days other than the workshop days? 

The vast majority of workshops are during mornings. You are welcome to stay and work at Pufendorf after lunch or just hang out with your colleagues within the Pufendorf Academy. At other times, it is difficult for us to arrange a workplace for you, but email lokalbokning [at] pi [dot] lu [dot] se (lokalbokning[at]pi[dot]lu[dot]se) and check!

One of the assignments in the programme is to write an application for a Pufendorf Advanced Study Group or a Pufendorf Theme. Does this mean that we get "free help" from the Pufendorf Institute? Or a short cut in to Pufendorf IAS? 

No to both questions. The staff at the Pufendorf Institute will not coach you in your application writing. You will receive the same instructions as all other researchers at Lund University and the Pufendorf IAS board, which decides which applications are granted, will not know that you have attended Pufendorf Academy. It is not even mandatory for you to actually apply for ASG or Theme, the purpose of the assignment is for you to practice co-writing applications with people from different subject disciplines and to find new cooperation throughout Lund University.

Will Pufendorf Academy return next year?

Yes! Pufendorf Academy will run during the academic year 2025/26 and 2026/2027 – and even longer, we hope. It is primarily participants from this year's LMK Idéforum and from the years 2023 and 2024 who are offered a place at Pufendorf Academy.

Remind me: How does one get into LMK Foundation's Idéforum, the way in to Pufendorf Academy? 

We refer you to the LMK Foundations Swedish website for more information: 

LMK-stiftelsens Idéforum 2024 – LMK

Also: an article published 2024 at the faculty of Medicine's internal website is still relevant if you're curious: 

Nominate to Idéforum 2024: "Unexpected outside perspectives can be more important than a world-leading expert´s" | Intramed

How do I apply for the programme, for Pufendorf Academy?

Thank you for reading all the way here and for showing an interest in our programme! Participants for 2023-2025 LMK Foundation's Idéforum should have received an e-mail from Asa [dot] Thormahlen [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Asa[dot]Thormahlen[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se) . If not or if you are an Idéforum participant from longer ago, please don't hesitate to send an e-mail.