The community of Spanish Researchers in Australia-Pacific (SRAP) came together once again for our SRAP Retreat, a weekend filled with discussions, collaborations, strategic planning, laughter and good food. Just like our retreat in Canberra back in 2023, this gathering brought members from across Australia (Victoria, Queensland, Sydney, Canberra and South Australia), spanning institutions, disciplines and career stages, to strengthen connections and chart SRAP’s path forward. Our retreat kicked off by revisiting SRAP’s mission and core values. The energy was vibrant from the moment we began the weekend. Members reunited after months of rich activity across SRAP, from impactful events during National Science Week and stellar science communication initiatives, to awards, research forums and collaborations with major cultural, industry and scientific partners.
The retreat kicked off by revisiting SRAP’s mission and core values. Building on the foundation laid in our June 2023 retreat, we took stock of our achievements since then and celebrated the growth of our network across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. A key focus of the retreat was strategic planning and community building. Through interactive sessions, smaller group discussions, and open-floor brainstorming, attendees explored key themes:
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Supporting member development and collaboration — including mentoring, interdisciplinary projects, and networking opportunities.
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Enhancing scientific and cultural dissemination — from public events to digital engagement.
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Strengthening links with industry, policy, and international partners — building science diplomacy bridges between Australia-Pacific and Spain.
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Promoting international relationships and diversity in research — reflecting SRAP’s ethos as a community where diverse perspectives enrich our work.
These aligned with the pillars identified at SRAP’s first retreat and served as a foundation for new goals and ambitions for the next phase of our journey.
Beyond the strategic conversations, the weekend was also a celebration of reconnecting with colleagues over good food, cultural and sports breaks, shared conversations and relaxed networking moments, the enthusiasm and camaraderie of the SRAP community shone through. The retreat wasn’t just about what we do next , it was about reaffirming why we do it, together.
We want to thank A/Prof Marian Vidal-Fernández, Dr Ana Rubio Zuazo and Dr Mariel Familiar López for leading all these efforts!