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Welcome to the February 2021 ECR newsletter.

This month, applications are open for our Online Researcher-Led Initiatives (RLI) Funding Award Scheme which is being run slightly differently to previous years due to Covid-19. We will be running a rolling scheme that will stay open until 19th May 2021, assessing applications monthly on a case-by-case basis. See below for more details.

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 running the Writing Groups throughout February - 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.

Writing 4* Research Papers - 10/02/2021 (9.30 am - 11 am) - register here.
Open Research - Publications, data and beyond - 10/02/21 (10 am - 11.15 am) - register here.
How do I Manage my Research Data? - 11/02/2021 (2 pm - 3 pm) - register here.
Data Management Plan Writing - 26/02/2021 (2 pm - 4 pm) - register here.
Introduction to Research Services - 03/03/2021 (11 am - 1 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.
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 February 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 8 February 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 11 February 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 22 February 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 25 February 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.

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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UK Parliament online training for Researchers
Details of how to access recordings of their autumn 2020 online training courses:-

Recordings available include:
• Parliament for Researchers - how to engage with the UK Parliament
• Parliament for Early Career Researchers - how to engage with the UK Parliament
• Parliament for PhD students - how to engage with the UK Parliament
• Parliament for Knowledge Mobilisers - how to support your institution's engagement with the UK Parliament
• Parliament for Researchers - how to work with select committees
• Parliament for Researchers - how to write for a parliamentary audience
You can access the recorded sessions by clicking here. 
Instructions: Each session is approximately 30 minutes long.  The recording/s will be sent to you as an mp4 and accompanied by slides from the training session and a list of useful links.  Captioned versions are available.

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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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Training and resources for teaching and research staff - National Centre for Research Methods
The NCRM offer methodological training and resources on core and advanced quantitive, qualitive, digital, creative, visual, mixed and multimodal methods. You can find a list of their online courses here. 

Their training database also lists courses from other providers in the UK (https://www.ncrm.ac.uk/training/).

From February onwards the NCRM are also restarting their bursaries scheme which covers the cost of NCRM courses and is available to research and teaching staff. 

Please note, they also offer a wealth of online resources including online modules, publications, audio and video podcast and resources for teachers of research methods.

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Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (LTHE) Programme
The Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LTHE) programme provides an introduction to the core concepts and techniques of teaching, and is particularly geared towards supporting early-career teachers working in HE for the first time, or for the first time in the UK. Training like this is increasingly listed as a desirable or essential characteristic for applicants to a range of HE roles both in the UK and abroad. It is also often a component of career progression pathways in academia; prior experience with a programme like LTHE (completion of the taught portion of the course and/or successful submission of the assessment, which leads to Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and 30 credits at Master’s level) can put you one step closer to promotion. Even if you do not ultimately plan to teach or pursue a career in HE, the programme explores a range of topics – e.g., professional values, communication skills, reflective techniques – that can be applied in almost any other career; LTHE graduates should benefit from these transferrable skills personally, as well as being able to use them to flesh out their CVs!

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 January dates:

Tues 9.3.21   11.30 am - 12.20 pm
Tues 16.3.21   9 am - 9.50 am
Tues 23.3.21   9 am - 9.50 pm
Tues 23.3.21   10 am - 10.50 am
Tues 23.3.21   11.30 am - 12.20 pm
Tues 23.3.21   3 pm - 3.50 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

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 17 February 2021
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.

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

If you would like to be involved please email researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

An online presentation by Dr Leon Moosavi, co-hosted by Decolonial Dialogues (DD) and Exeter's Race, Ethnicity and Education Network (REEN) - 25 February 2021 (11 am - 1 pm)
This talk explores some of the limitations and dangers of academic decolonisation.  To find out more and to book your place click here.

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Wellcome Trust’s new Open Access Policy
Following the launch of the Wellcome Trust’s new Open Access policy on 1st January 2021, the new policy is now available on their website alongside other useful information :

- Guidance on how to comply
- Five things you need to know

Wellcome Research Update - January 2021

They have also updated their Grant Terms and Conditions accordingly.

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Prof. Marc Holderied (University of Bristol) gives colloquium on 'Acoustic metamaterials give moths stealth camouflage against bat biosonar' - 12 February 2021 (12.30 pm - 1.30 pm)
The next speaker at the Metameterials Colloquia will be Prof Marc Holderied from the University of Bristol, who will be giving us a talk titled 'Acoustic metamaterials give moths stealth camouflage against bat biosonar', on Friday 12th February, 12.30-13.30pm via Zoom (link will be emailed after registration).  To find out more and to book your place click here.

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PRISM Exeter celebrate LGBT History Month 2021 with talks from South West based LGBTQ+ STEMM professionals - 23 February 2021 (7 pm - 9.30 pm)
Join PRISM Exeter as we mark LGBT History Month 2021 with talks from two LGBTQ+ STEMM* professionals based here in the South West.

Dr Melissa Brooks (Met Office) and Dr Alex Dudgeon (University of Exeter BioSpec Group) will speak about their work and their experiences as LGBTQ+ individuals in STEMM. Further details of each talk are provided below.  Find out more and book your place 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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National Postdoc Conference Reps- Needed
The University of Liverpool has recently been successful in their bid to hold the National Postdoc Conference in 2021. They are looking for 5 more people to be part of the steering group in organising the conference. If you are interested, please contact Saneeya (saneeya.qureshi@liverpool.ac.uk) directly. Full details about the conference can be found on the NPDC website.

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SAVE THE DATE!

University of Liverpool to host National Postdoc Conference with keynote from UKRI CEO - 24 September 2021.
The University of Liverpool will host the biennial UK National Postdoc Conference (NPDC) 2021. The NPDC will take place on the 24th September, to coincide with the last day of National Postdoc Appreciation Week, which celebrates the significant contributions researchers make to delivering and progressing research excellence.

Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, the CEO of UKRI, will deliver the keynote speech at the virtual conference, with further speaker details to be announced in due course.

The day-long conference will enable UK postdocs to come together to hear about key initiatives and the direction of travel across the national research agenda. The event is aimed at postdoctoral researchers from all disciplinary backgrounds, alongside stakeholders from industry, funding agencies, policy influencers, editors, academics, researcher developers, and career development professionals.

Please direct any queries about the National Postdoc Conference 2021 to Dr Saneeya Qureshi, Head of Researcher Development and Culture on Saneeya.Qureshi@liverpool.ac.uk.

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.

The ASAB Christopher Barnard Award is given annually to acknowledge and reward the achievements of Early Career Researchers. This year’s award goes to Dr Boogert in recognition of outstanding contributions to the study of learning and cognition. Find out more online.

Dr James Grellier from the European centre for Environment & Human Health appeared on BBC Countryfile in mid-January, taking a very chilly dip and highlighting the benefits of "blue therapy". You can watch the episode on BBC iPlayer.

If you know of any ECRs who need acknowledging, please email researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.  It would be really great to be able to use this platform to inspire and promote the excellent accumplishments achieved by our Researchers.

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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Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
Please note that, from 28 October 2020, Spectrum.Life replaces Pro-Counselling as the provider of the counselling and support service. 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.