POSTDOCTORAL AFFAIRS

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Affinity Groups

Affinity groups connect postdoctoral trainees and other members of the Northwestern community by affiliation, including: ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and professional interests. These clubs offer a wide variety of networking, professional development, and social events to their members. Check the list below to see if there’s a group that’s right for you.  

If you are the leader of a group and would like to include it on the list here, please contact the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

• Advanced Degree Consulting Alliance 
  Northwestern University’s Advanced Degree Consulting Alliance aims to foster a community among postdoctoral trainees and graduate students pursuing careers in management and discipline-specific consulting, including providing resources to explore careers and connecting members with employers through events like the annual Advanced Degree Consulting Summit. 
• Chicago Women in STEM Initiative  
  The Chicago Women in STEM Initiative aims to build an inclusive and self-sustaining community composed of Chicago-area students, postdoctoral trainees, and professionals, to support gender equity and the success of women in STEM.  
• Chinese Students and Scholars Association (CSSA) 
  CSSA is dedicated to promoting social, intellectual, and cultural activities for Chinese students and scholars, including organizing festival celebrations and support for job searches. 
• Indian Graduate Students and Scholars Association (IGSAA) 
  IGSAA aims to increase the awareness of Indians on campus and in the community, preserve the rich cultural heritage of India, ensure a homey atmosphere for Indian students living away from home, and unite Indians and people of other races by celebrating and learning from diversity. 
• Iranian Student Association (IRSA) 
  IRSA is dedicated to promoting social, intellectual, and cultural activities for Iranian students and scholars at Northwestern, as well as interested members of the campus community. IRSA also strives to provide opportunities and support for its members by connecting current students with Iranian alumni.  
• Northwestern Brain Awareness Outreach (NUBAO) 
  NUBAO is a graduate student-led public outreach initiative dedicated to educating, exciting, and inspiring the Chicago community about the brain. Founded in 2010, as part of the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience PhD Program, NUBAO consists of a diverse group of graduate students, postdoctoral trainees, faculty, and research staff from various departments and scientific disciplines at Northwestern University. 
• Northwestern Chicago Out Network  
  Northwestern Chicago Out Network is a campus- and affiliate-wide networking group for LGBT-identified individuals and allies. It currently draws faculty, staff, postdoc, and student participants from the medical school, law school, graduate school, and affiliated hospitals and clinics. 
• Northwestern Curling Club 
  The Northwestern Curling Club is a community-building club dedicated to teaching and playing the winter sport of curling. Events are free and take place at the Chicago Curling Club in Northbrook, IL. They host weekly lessons, games, and social events. No prior curling experience is required to participate.   
• Northwestern Energy Technology Group (NETG)  
  NETG’s mission is to advance the research and development of sustainable energy technologies, by providing educational and collaborative opportunities for the Northwestern community. NETG collaborates extensively with other groups to invite speakers, organize discussions, and educate people about today's energy issues.  
• Northwestern Public Health Review (NPHR) 
  Founded in 2013, the Northwestern Public Health Review endeavors to stimulate the exchange and cross-pollination of public health ideas, resources and opportunities across the Northwestern community and beyond. Through multiple channels, the student-run NPHR offers opportunities for learning and reporting on public health issues.  
• Northwestern Swing Dance Syndicate 
  The Northwestern Swing Dance Syndicate promotes stronger community via swing dancing - lindy hop, blues, balboa, and a range of other dances. They host lessons throughout the year, as well as organizing all-Chicago dance events with nationally renowned swing bands. The group is open to everyone in the Northwestern community, from beginners to advanced dancers. 
• NuTango 
  NuTango is a  student-run organization at Northwestern University for Argentine Tango. NuTango is dedicated to providing a friendly, inclusive, and fun environment to learn and dance Argentine Tango. NuTango has lead and follow roles available to people of all genders, and embraces alternative Tango music, as well as traditional ones. They are open to everyone in the Northwestern community, as well as the general public. NuTango hosts weekly lessons, workshops with guest instructors, milongas, practicas, and special events with other organizations.  
• Muslim Cultural Students Association 
  The Muslim Cultural Students Association is a community-oriented organization that promotes the human values that Islam emphasizes through activities like Discover Islam Week, philanthropy food drives, Ramadan dinners, and tutoring younger students. 
• Postdocs with Children Canvas Group 
  The Postdocs with Children Canvas Group connects postdoctoral trainees at Northwestern who have or who are about to have children and serves as a forum to share resources and support. The group also provides updates on relevant deadlines, events and new resources from the Work/Life and Family Resources office. To join, please contact Lesley Lundeen at (lesley.lundeen@northwestern.edu). 
• Queer Pride Graduate Student Association (QPGSA)
  QPGSA is an award-winning social, advocacy, and academic group for the LGBTQ+ graduate student and postdoc communities at Northwestern. Founded in 2005, their membership now includes more than 400 individuals. QPGSA is committed to developing an inclusive and affirming sense of community among the LGBTQ+ graduate students.
• Science Policy Outreach Taskforce (SPOT) 
  SPOT is a non-partisan organization of Northwestern University researchers focused on advocating for science, evidence-based reasoning, and scientifically-sound policy to the voting-aged public and policymakers. Members have the opportunity to learn and put effective science advocacy into political action through events to educate voters, meetings to educate and collaborate with policymakers, educational seminars to learn about the interface of science and policy, and activities with external science policy entities.  
• Women in Science and Engineering Research (WISER) 
  WISER is a graduate student organization at Northwestern University. They work towards building community among graduate and postdoctoral trainee women in STEM fields, promoting & advancing women's leadership in STEM, and sponsoring workshops & seminars focused on professional skills development for early-career women in the sciences.