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Doctoral College Blog

Welcome to the March 2021 ECR newsletter.

This month, applications are open for Researcher Leadership Development Programme which offers a unique opportunity to make sense of who you are and what you do as a leader.  

The Online Researcher-Led Initiatives (RLI) Funding Award Scheme is ongoing with rolling deadline dates up until 19th May 2021, assessing applications monthly on a case-by-case basis.

We continue to offer you a suite of online learning and development both through the Core Programme and also via the Research Services/IIB Essential Series. We are continuing to run the Writing Groups throughout March/April - a superb opportunity for you to set time aside to write those all important pages!

For queries surrounding Coronavirus, please take a look at the Staff University Webpage for further guidance, as well as to continue following Government Guidelines and stay safe.  

In the meantime, if you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail at: researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

All courses are delivered online

Introduction to Research Services - 03/03/2021 (11 am - 12.30 pm) - register here.
1-2-1 Drop in session to discuss your Data - 05/03/2021 (11 am - 12 noon) - register here.
Writing Targeted Grant Proposals - 10/03/2021 (9.30 am - 11 am) - register here.
Effective Data Visualisation - 18/03/2021 (11 am - 12 noon) - register here.
What Makes for High Quality Public Engagement with Research - 24/03/2021 (9 am - 11 am) - register here.

Writing Groups for ECRs - Spring term dates as follows:

Thurs 4 March 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 8 March 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 11 March 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 15 March 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 18 March 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Monday 22 March 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 25 March 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Monday 29 March 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)

To book your place click on the appropriate date/s (above).

Here's just a couple of feedback comments from recent Groups:-

"It was a really good way to block out time to work on a specific task. I found the structure of the session really useful and there was a really relaxed and friendly atmosphere."
"I enjoyed the collective experience of writing and the opportunity to dedicate some time to it, without distractions."
These sessions provide the perfect space for you to 'give yourself permission' to write!  If you would like to become a facilitator please contact ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

CPD Webinar for Researcher Developers - The Voice of Industry Webinar - 4 March (12.30 pm - 1.30 pm)
This Webinar welcomes some of our industry representatives who have played a valuable role in our training programmes. They enrich the training experience, taking the time to share their insights, career journey or even pose a challenge for the participants to address.  To find out more and to register click here.

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Accessing Administrative and Sensitive Datasets through SafePods Webinar - 16 March 2021 (11 am - 12.30 pm)
This Webinar is offered by the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP).  The SafePod Network (SPN) is a new service that will provide a network of standardised safe settings (known as SafePods) across the UK to enable approved researchers to access and use sensitive datasets to better understand our society and economy.  To find out more and to view the agenda and register your place click here.

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Online Engagement Training
Are you a researcher looking to develop your online engagement skills? If so, there are some great training sessions coming up in March that are available to you.

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Communicate Your Research
A partner of the University, Agile Rabbit, offers a service that delivers events by developing ideas, providing training, organising all aspects of the event, producing radio programmes, and arranging an audience from over 40 countries through effective communications to help support public engagement.

Colleagues who have an idea for an event that is of public interest should email contact@agile-rabbit.com.  To find out more click here.

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Digital Humanities Events for Spring Term
Please click here to access the Digital Humanities training and seminar schedule for this term which are open to ECRs.  Please note that registration is required for all events.

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ExeTalks - YouTube Playlist
ExeTalks are a chance to discover some of the fascinating research undertaken at the University of Exeter and loosely follow the TEDx style. Click here to view the playlist.

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The Scholars programme - PhD Opportunity - 2020-21

The Brilliant Club’s Researcher Development Programme offers PhD and Early Career Researchers a meaningful, professionally developmental, paid tutoring opportunity. Training with The Brilliant Club and working as a Scholars Programme tutor enables researchers to communicate their research to a non-specialist audience, gain valuable teaching and public engagement experience and deepen their knowledge of the UK education system.  To find out more and apply click here.

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Call for Peer Reviewers - Networking Knowledge
We are currently seeking volunteer peer reviewers to help us to continue to ensure the academic integrity of submissions to the journal. This is a great opportunity to add peer review experience to your academic CV, to build your academic citizenship and to be among the first to find out about new research projects happening in your field. Guidance on the peer reviewing process will be provided, and joining us as a peer reviewer requires no minimum commitment.  For further information contact rebecca.jones@strath.ac.uk.

• Are you the kind of person who wants to make a difference, to yourself and others?
• Do you want confidence in who you are and what you do as a leader?
• Do you want support to help you explore, understand and develop your leadership?

The purpose of this programme is to help you make meaningful progress in your sense of who you are, and what you do as a leader.

The Researcher Leadership Development Programme represents a fantastic opportunity to work with a group of talented researchers through learning, development and project work. You will be fully supported throughout the programme by the course team.

There are maximum of 24 places available, selected through a competitive application process.

For more details and to apply: Click here.

For queries, please contact researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk

Deadline to apply: Thursday 4th March 2021 (12 noon GMT)

Unsure of your future career direction either within Academia or beyond Academia? Kate Foster, (Careers Coach for Researcher Development and Research Culture), is available to offer 1:2:1 Career coaching appointments for ECRs.  50 minute online appointments are available on the following dates:

Tues 23.3.21   10 am - 10.50 am
Tues 23.3.21   11.30 am - 12.20 pm
Tues 30.3.21   10 am - 10.50 am
Tues 30.3.21   11.30 am - 12.20 pm
Tues 30.3.21   3 pm - 3.50 pm

April dates to be published soon!

If you are interested in having the opportunity to gain advice and discuss how to manage and plan your career and feel you would benefit from a 1:2:1 meeting, please contact ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk with your preferred 3 timeslots.  Appointments will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.   If you’re not able to attend the above dates, but would like to book an appointment please do make contact as an alternative date and time can be arranged.

Applications are open for our Online Researcher-Led Initiatives Award Scheme.

This year, we are asking for applications for online/virtual events on the following themes:

a. Developing an engaged research culture
b. Building a PGR or ECR community
c. Equality, diversity, and inclusivity
d. Wellbeing

We will be running a rolling scheme that will stay open until 19th May 2021, assessing applications monthly on a case-by-case basis. This will enable us to be flexible, and responsive to the current situation.

You can find our more on our website or apply using our online application form.

Deadlines for each month are as follows:-
Wed 24 March 2021
Wed 21 April 2021
Wed 19 May 2021

If you have any questions or would like to discuss an idea for an application, please contact researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

Early Career Research Networks (ECRNs) are designed to help support our Early Career Researchers in the beginning stages of their career. The ECRNs are designed to help raise awareness of new developments in a particular field: new tools, processes, leaders, training programs, and services. They are also an opportunity for collaborative problem solving and to get advice from other Early Career Researchers.  To find out more about the Networks and who your Network Rep is click here.

The ECR Liaison Forums (ECR LF) are a fantastic opportunity for Early Career Researchers to meet and discuss what their community needs from the University. The forums typically meet four times a year and have representation on the Research & Impact Executive Group, to take ideas and requests forward across the University.

Date of next meeting : Tuesday 9 March 2021 (10 am - 10.50 am). 

This will be an informal opportunity for ECRs  to get together and re-connect.  It will also provide you with a space to share how you’re feeling as well as setting out plans, going forward.   If you would like to be added to the participant list to receive invitations in the future, please email researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

At the moment meetings are held virtually across all campuses.  To find out more about ECR LFs please visit the website.

International Women's Day - 8 March 2021
Join artists Naomi Hart and Emma Molony on 8 March 2021 (5-6.15 pm), as they discuss their art commissions with leading academics Dr Ceri Lewis and Dr Rebecca Lovell.  To book your place click here.

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Metamaterials Colloquium: Friday 19 March 2021 (12.30 - 1.30 pm) via Zoom

Dr Konstantin Bliokh, who works at RIKEN, in the Centre for Emergent Matter Science, will be presenting a talk entitled 'Topological non-Hermitian origin of surface electromagnetic and acoustic waves'.  To find out more and to book your place, please click here.

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Join the BME Network
Interested in joining the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Network? It’s open to colleagues, students and alumni of the University and you just need to fill in this form if you’d like to get involved.

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Fully funded training
Called the Accelerating Business Collaboration (ABC) Fund, the training programme will equip participants with the tools, skills and confidence required to work more effectively with or in industry. It provides a working knowledge of key business issues that impact commercial organisations, which is valuable whether you plan to pursue a career in industry or collaborate with industry as part of a career in academic research. The Universities of Exeter, Bristol and the SWDTP are collaborating to provide this fully funded training programme.  The course starts Wednesday 31 March for six consecutive weeks from 2 – 4pm.  To find out more and to register your place click here.

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Research Ethics Conference - Friday 25 June 2021 (10 am - 5.30 pm) St Lukes Campus.
Ethics has never been as important as it is now. The world we live in is changing at a dramatic pace and we must maintain rigorous and critical ethical practices of the research journey, across all disciplines throughout STEM and HASS. But what exactly is ethics and what does it mean to conduct ethical research? To find out more about the Conference and to book your place click here.  If you're interested in submitting an abstract click here. It is hoped to host a blended conference (in-person and online). However, due to the current circumstances, will be at least hosting an online conference. More information on this will be released shortly.

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The Univerity of Exeter Research Toolkit offers several internal funding schemes which can be accessed by clicking here.

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RDM Lifecycle Infographic
Not sure what support is available to help you manage your research data? Take a look at this new Research Data Management Lifecycle infographic which presents the Professional Services’ (PS) support that is available for researchers in every step of the RDM Lifecycle.

If you're organising an event and don't know where to start, take a look at the Corporate Events webpage where you will find lots of useful information and advice including an Events Planning Toolkit!  If you would like to contact the Events Team for further advice email eventenquiries@exeter.ac.uk.

Look after your Digital Wellness
Many of us once again find ourselves working and studying from home and the Digital Hub is available online to help you study, work and teach.

The Digital Hub is helping to ‘bring the Uni to home’ and offers 24/7 guidance and support for remote study and work. Staff, academics and students can discover, and learn how to use and master, the digital tools that we all use daily.  Find out more here.

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Occupational Health during Covid-19
The Occupational Health team is available to support staff as the University adapts to a new way of working in uncertain times and challenging situations. To find out more visit their webpage.

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COVID-19 Wellbeing Webpages
This web section is designed to help you find the support and information you need to take care of your mental health and wellbeing.  There are also resources available on the HR Support webpage which you might like to look at. 

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NHS Every Mind Matters
Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. You can find expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing by clicking here.

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Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Staff have access to a free, confidential, and independent EAP Service to support them with work and personal issues. The service is 24/7 and includes a counselling service and a Wellbeing Space with information about health, work and personal matters.

You can contact the EAP about any issues you are having including; mental health concerns work-related problems, caring issues, and financial and legal matters. The service can also be used by any of family members who live with you.

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Disability Support
Staff with additional needs because of disability can access a confidential service from Occupational Health. Occupational Health can offer expert advice and assessments and make recommendations about reasonable adjustments.

For the Spring term, Disability Network meetings will be the last Wednesday of the month at 12 noon. This means the next meetings for Spring 2021 will be 24 February and 31 March 2021.

For accessibility information & the meeting links, please email disabilitynetwork@exeter.ac.uk. All welcome to attend, including allies, and it will be an open discussion.

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Access to Work
Access to Work is a government scheme that aims to assist disabled people in employment or those due to start employment. It offers support based on an individual’s needs, which may include a grant to help cover the costs of practical support in the workplace.  Click here to find out if you are eligible to apply.

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LGBT+ History Month
Each February, our University community comes together to celebrate LGBT+ History Month. The aim of this month is to celebrate the diversity of our community and reflect on creating a more open and safe space for our colleagues and students who are Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Queer or Questioning. We've put together a dedicated newsletter packed with events and resources to help us all reflect on the changes we can all make in our daily practices to shape a culture that welcomes, accepts and celebrates our LGBTQ+ community.