Early Career Researchers Hub : ECR Training and Development : Twitter :
Doctoral College Blog

Welcome to the August 2021 ECR Newsletter!

We hope that you're enjoying the warm summer days.  Currently, we are working hard to put together some autumn workshops both as part of the ECR Core Programme and Research and Innovation Essentials Series.  More details to follow.

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

ECR Core Programme:-
Details to follow.

Research & Innovation Essentials Series:
Introduction to Innovation, Impact and Business Support Services - 28/09/21 (10 am - 11 am) - Register here.
What Makes for High Quality Public Engagement with Research - 25/11/21 (10.30 am - 12.30 pm) - Register here.

Struggling to find time to write?

Feeling guilty about putting time to yourself?

Would you benefit from support from peers?

Then join the regular online Writing Groups - various dates in September and October are available - all running 10 am - 12.30 pm - Click here to view dates and book your place/s.

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!

We are looking to expand our team of facilitators so if you would like to find out more about becoming a facilitator please contact ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

Examples of practice are being invited for a new effective researcher networks ‘Toolbox’ being developed by the Vitae Researcher Networks Member Working Group. By gathering the community’s collective knowledge relating to the formation or running researcher networks, including case studies, the Working Group aim to build this handy collection of examples to showcase later this year. Share example for toolbox.

As researchers, we dream of helping to solve the world’s problems. Data holds the key to understanding the urgent global issues our world is facing, so it’s no surprise that data-related jobs present the fastest growing industry in the world. But there is a big problem in the world of big data. According to The Alan Turing Institute “women represent 47% of the workforce, yet hold less than 17% of all available tech jobs.” Join us for a brand new seminar series featuring inspirational women sharing their career and tips for students considering data-related careers.

If you are interested in joining a society for Women+ in Data, please express interest here.  Responses will be accumulated with an aim to open the society at the beginning of the academic year.

Seminar 1 : In conversation with Monique Kuglitsch - View here.

Monique Kuglitsch - Chair of the ITU/WMO/UNEP Focus Group on AI for Natural Disaster Management - will share her story and tips for getting into the field of AI, as well as the challenges and opportunities that she is currently facing with the application of AI for natural disaster management.

Seminar 2 : In conversation with Dr Anjali Mazumder - View here.

Dr Anjali Mazumder is the lead on AI and Justice & Human Rights at the Alan Turing Institute and Research Chair for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.  Anjali share her story and tips for getting into AI, and discusses her work on the prevention of slavery and push for equality.

The University of Liverpool is hosting the National Postdoc Conference 2021 (NPDC21) on 24th September 2021. All registrations are free of charge, including a series of informal networking and engagement sessions in August and September. Booking links can be accessed from the Programme and Networking webpages. Information about the ongoing NPDC21 poster competition is available here. The NPDC21 app (available both on the Apple App Store and Google Play) provides a range of features to enhance the attendees' experience, including the ability to create a personalised itinerary. For more information about NPDC21, please contact Dr Saneeya Qureshi, Head of Researcher Development and Culture on Saneeya.Qureshi@liverpool.ac.uk.

Autumn Dates Now Available!!

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 for you to book on by clicking here.

Kate can  offer advice and discuss how to manage and plan your career.

If there are no timeslots available please contact ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

Do you care that your research is assessed fairly, in its entirety and not based on narrow measures such as where you have published or how many times you have been cited? Responsible metrics is about ensuring that our research culture celebrates all research and research outputs and looks beyond blunt quantitative measures to assess quality. As a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), we are looking for PGRs and ECRs to join our Responsible Metrics Champions Group, in order to help ensure that this important agenda translates into our own university policy and practice. Those in the early stages of their research career have the most to gain from responsible metrics, so we’re keen to ensure that we have PGRs and ECRs represented on the group. If you’d like to find out more, or think you may be interested in joining the group, please contact Becky Euesden r.s.euesden@exeter.ac.uk.

We are looking for ECRs to help us organise a series of events as part of National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), which will take place W/C 20th September 2021. This is the 2nd year the University will be running NPAW, which openly acknowledges and celebrates the contribution and work of our vibrant Postdoc/ECR community. Find out what happened last year by clicking here.

If you would like to help shape this important celebration, please come and join the NPAW organising committee. To register you interest and to find out more, contact: researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk

You can also get the latest Concordat updates and events by signing up to their newsletter when registering to their website.

Already registered and want to receive Vitae News? Contact Vitae direct

See the latest news update on the Concordat here.

Twelve participants took part in the online ECR Summer Network Quiz on 30 June 2021, wonderfully hosted and organised by Rebecca Whear.  The Quiz included four exciting and interactive rounds!  Friendly rivalry, as well as fun, ensued across all campuses which resulted in tasty Cornish Cream Tea prizes being sent out to participants.  If you'd be interested in hosting a quiz in the future, please email 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.

We have published a range of guidance, checklists and the University travel policy for colleagues planning on travelling for work or study. The information covers both international travel and trips within the UK. Find out more click here. 

Library Search is your key gateway into the print and electronic resources available to you via the Library. It is available 24/7 from your desktop or device, wherever in the world you are located.

It will enable you to find recommended readings and search across a wide range of full text resources to discover materials on your research topics.

Precarity and progression during a pandemic: Early Career academics' experience during COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic it’s important that early career perspectives are heard. We are conducting a study about uncertainty and career progression for academics and researchers. If you are an early career academic/early career researcher (working primarily in academia and within 6 years of finishing your PhD OR will finish within the next year), we would like to hear from you. Participation can include an anonymous questionnaire lasting approximately 15 minutes and/or an interview lasting approximately one hour. (Interview participants will receive a small remuneration to partially compensate them for their time). Further details available here.

-------

Scenes of Shame and Stigma in COVID-19 Seminar Series - online events June - December 2021
The Scenes of Shame and Stigma in COVID-19 Seminar Series, organized at the University of Exeter as part of the UKRI-AHRC funded ‘Scenes of Shame and Stigma in COVID-19’ project, addresses the key role that shame and stigma have played in the COVID-19 public health crisis. With talks from established and emerging experts in sociology, anthropology, history and public health, this interdisciplinary seminar series examines the effects of shame and stigma during the pandemic, considering topics such as national responses, professional practice in medicine, community resilience, public health policy and BAME experience. For find out dates and book your place - click here.

-------

Policy@Exeter launches new website for policy impact
Policy@Exeter is a new cross-College initiative, which aims to facilitate and develop links between Exeter researchers and policy-makers. The newly launched website offers a wealth of resources for researchers at any career level wanting to engage with policy, including how-to guides, templates, case studies, video interviews and much more! Policy@Exeter also has a mailing list and Twitter profile, make sure to follow and subscribe to be kept in the loop about upcoming opportunities.

For more information and to receive 1:1 support, please email Emma and Marina at PolicyEngagement@exeter.ac.uk

-------

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

-------

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.

-------

Postdoc Futures
Created from the committee who organised National Postdoc Appreciation Week (NPAW), Postdoc Futures is a “grassroots” initiative that is in communication with Wellcome and UKRI to help shape a better future for Postdocs, and create a more consistent policy structure across all institutions for Postdocs. Postdoc Futures is looking for ECRs from Exeter to be part of this group, give their views as well as represent the views of ECRs at Exeter. If you are interested in being on the Postdoc Futures group please email: researcherdevelopment@exeter.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.

We have recently created a new webpage, detailing all the wellbeing support for ECRs. Including support from the University, Spectrum.Life as well as a list of networks to support staff wellbeing.