"Lost in Space? Navigating Power Imbalance in Academia"

Academic life thrives on mentorship, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas. At the same time, it is deeply shaped by hierarchical structures. For early-career researchers such as PhD students and postdocs, this can create a delicate situation: how can one raise concerns, ask for support, or express personal needs when the person on the other side of the conversation holds substantial power over one's future? The talk explores constructive ways of dealing with challenging situations: how difficult conversations can be approached professionally and respectfully, where support can be found beyond the immediate supervisory relationship, and how researchers can protect their well-being and maintain focus when certain situations seem difficult or impossible to resolve. Rather than framing power imbalance solely as a problem, the presentation aims to open a practical conversation about navigating academic hierarchies with confidence, clarity, and resilience.