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Welcome to the January 2021 ECR newsletter.

This month we are delighted to share with you new courses just added to our training and development calendar along with really useful health, wellbeing and support resources.

We are also runniing the Writing Groups for ECRs throughout January and February which is a good way to keep in touch with each other albeit virtually, during Lockdown and to allow yourself 'permission' to write!

The new Research Services/IIB Essential Series courses are listed below with further training being added in due course.

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.

Research Finance - 19/01/2021 (10.30 am - 12.30 pm) - register here.
Peer Reviewing Research Papers - 21/01/2021 (10 am - 11 am) - register here.
Resilient Career Planning - 26/01/2021 (10 am - 11.30 am) - register here.
Writing 4* Research Papers - 10/02/2021 (9.30 am - 10.30 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.
Introduction to Research Services - 03/03/2021 (11 am - 1 pm) - register here.
Writing Targeted Grant Proposals - 10/03/2021 (9.30 am - 10.30 am) - register here.

Writing Groups for ECRs - Spring term dates as follows:

Mon 18 January 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 21 January 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 25 January 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 28 January 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)

Mon 1 February 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
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.

Career Confidence for Researchers - Mon 8 February 2021 (9.30 am - 12 noon)

The People Development Team are running this brand new interactive virtual training session being run by external trainer, Sadie Sharp, designed specifically for Researchers.  She will take you through a varity of practical, relatable and highly effective techniques to help project more confidence, develop a personal brand and tackle a range of common career challenges.

For more information, and to book your place click here.

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ERC Videos on How To Apply for Funding

​The European Research Council (ERC) has produced a six-part series of short videos to help applicants understand how to engage with and apply for ERC grants. The videos have been designed to provide an understanding of the basics for creating an ERC proposal, with ERC Scientific Officers explaining the application process step-by-step and offering some 'top tips' for improving a proposal's chances of success.

These videos will serve as an effective starting point for researchers who are interested in developing an ERC proposals or those looking to disseminate a general understanding of the scheme within an institution.

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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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Learning & Teaching in Higher Education (LTHE) Programme

The LTHE course is designed to meet the specific needs of educators who are either new to teaching altogether or are new to teaching in HE (particularly HE within the UK). Its target audience include educators on research-only contracts and professional services staff who facilitate learning. The programme provides an introduction to the core concepts and techniques of teaching in HE, and aims to give teachers an understanding of how to provide an active, stimulating student-centred learning experience. For more details click here.

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

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.

Wellcome Trust ISSF – MDC Industrial Seedcorn Funding

The Wellcome Trust ISSF Translational Research Exchange@Exeter programme is pleased to announce a new "Industrial Seedcorn" Funding Call for University of Exeter academics and/or University of Exeter associated spin-out companies. 

The Call is specifically for projects in partnership with the Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC), with whom the University of Exeter have recently commenced a new strategic partnership.

Deadline for applications is noon (GMT) 15 January 2021.

For further details and contact information, please refer to the MDC Seed corn Application Form and Guidance.

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SWDTP ESRC Postdoctoral Fellowships Information Session - 12 January 2021 (2-3 pm) via Zoom.

The SWDTP has up to six Post Doctoral fellowships to award. This information session will provide further information on the scheme.

Book your place now by clicking here.

Fellowships are aimed at providing a development opportunity for those in the immediate postdoctoral stage of their career, to consolidate their PhD through developing publications, their networks, and their research and professional skills.

The PDF call forms part of ESRC’s strategy to support early career researchers and will be delivered through the national network of Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs).

For more eligibility information and application forms please click here.

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The Technology Exploration Lab – 19.1.21 (9 am – 12 noon) - Delivered online

SETsquared Exeter proudly introduce a new cutting-edge technology space based at the Science Park Centre, Exeter. The Technology Exploration Lab (TEL) is an innovative development space, enabling entrepreneurs to explore emerging technologies to enhance their ideas and validate their innovations.  To find out more and to book your place click here.

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Share your experience as a Researcher with UGs - 25.1.21

The Academic Skills and Student Engagement Team would like a few ECRs to host Zoom breakout rooms for approx. 30 minutes - 1 hour at the end of the UG Research Showcase Launch Reception on 25 January 2021 (13:00-14:30), in which to talk about your research experiences and answer questions from Undergraduates. Pay: £17.21/hr. Email e.r.bushnell@exeter.ac.uk for more info.
 

Also, there is an opportunity for ECRs to join in the UG Research Showcase Launch Reception on Monday 25 January (13:00-14:30) to learn about some of the students' research. For further information and to register your interest to join click here.

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Publishing and Impact in the Humanities - Workshops  28.1.21

Two online workshops : starting 8 am and 4 pm.

Aimed at ECRs in Humanities, this workshop will enable you to explore the impact and publishing pathways available to Early Career Researchers (those within 10 years of finishing a PhD or within the final year of PhD study) and how the two interact across the research cycle.  The workshops are being run in collaboration with impact professionals at the University of Reading.

To find out more and to register your interest click here.

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Are you an Early Career Researcher interested in mental health research?

SMaRteN  is one of 8 UKRI-funded Mental Health Research Networks. Based on the priorities from a cross-network survey led by the Closing the Gap Network, the coordination team for the 8 Mental Health Research Networks have organised a free 2-part event series bringing together researchers from across the networks to provide proactive advice on applying to and securing mental health research funding, career development, and networking.

We are defining Early Career Researchers very broadly to include graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in and outside academia.

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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.

This research project explores responses to digital education from educators new to teaching in UK higher education during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is led by Dr Lisa Alberici in the Graduate School of Education.

The purpose of this survey is to gather responses from anyone new to teaching in the UK higher education sector during the COVID-19 pandemic - this would include lecturers, teaching assistants, and other education or skills development colleagues. This is because it has been an unprecedented time and we are interested to know what it has been like for those early career colleagues who are establishing themselves as educators against this backdrop.

If you are interested, you can find out more about the project and fill in the survey here.

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.

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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.

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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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Humanist and Progressive Fellowship

The Humanist and Progressive Fellowship is the main activity of the new Humanist Chaplaincy at the university. The Fellowship offers non-religious people, Humanists and those of progressive faith, opportunities to explore their spirituality, get to know like-minded people and discuss a variety of ethical, cultural and philosophical subjects. Other activities such as walks, reflective practices, workshops/talks by guest speakers and the occasional evening event are also in the planning. The group welcomes staff, associate staff and postgraduates. Currently they meet fortnightly on Zoom on Fridays 11:30-12:30. You are welcome every fortnight or as and when you can attend Friday or other meetings. To join the email list and hear about our meetings and events, contact Anastasia (Humanist Chaplain) at a.somerville-wong@exeter.ac.uk.