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Almost half way through the year and welcome to the June 2021 ECR newsletter!

Like most of our waistlines during Covid, this month's suite of online learning and development is bursting at its seams!  Offering a broad range of courses via both the Core Programme and also via the Research and Innovation Essentials Series. The online Writng Groups will continue through June and July and will start up again in September (giving you all a well deserved break in August)!

There's an opportunity for you to become involved in this year's National Post-doc Appreciation Week (NPAW) and also keep 30 June (1 pm - 2.15 pm) free in your calendars for the ECR Quiz (details below).

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:-
Creative Engagement Methods - 04/06/2021 (11 am - 1 pm) - Register here.
Focus on - Twitter and Blogging Online Panel - 07/06/2021 (11 am - 12 noon) - Register here.
Co-Production in Research - 15/06/2021 (2-4 pm) - Register here.
Impactful Public Engagement with Research - 17/06/2021 (2-4 pm) - Register here.
Effective Data Visualisation Taster Session plus Q&A - 21/06/2021 (11 am - 12 noon) - Register here.
Developing an Academic Website - 22/06/2021 (11 am - 12.30 pm) - Register here.
Focus on - Working with Policy Makers Online Panel - 23/06/2021 (2-3 pm) - Register here.
Creativity for Researchers - 29/06/2021 (9.30 am - 4 pm) - Register here.
 

Research & Innovation Essentials Series:
Introduction to Research Services - 09/06/2021 (11 am - 12.30 pm) - Register here.
Intellectual Property and Commercialisation - 15/06/2021 (1 pm - 3 pm) - Register here.
Working with Business - How to develop Collaborative Research Proposals with External Partners - 25/06/2021 (11.15 am - 12.30 pm) - Register here.
Introduction to Innovation, Impact & Business Support Services - 01/07/2021 (11.15 am - 12.15 pm) - Register here.
Working with Business – What does business want and how to succeed - 21/07/2021 (10.30 am - 11.10 am) - Register here.
Open Research - Publications, data and beyond - 28/07/2021 (10 am - 11.30 am) - Register here.

Researcher-led Iniatives:-
Building a cross-college ECR community through Diversity, Inclusion, Cohesion and Equality (DICE) training - 16/06/2021 (10 am - 1 pm and 2 - 5 pm) - Register here.
The Black Educators Book Club 002 - Curriculum - 25/06/2021 (12.30 pm - 1.30 pm) - Register here.
Culture, minority ethinic, researchers, and mental wellbeing - various topics/dates throughout June - For more information and to register Register here.

Writing Groups for ECRs - Summer term dates as follows:
Thurs 3 June 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 7 June 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 10 June 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 14 June 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 17 June 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 21 June 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Thurs 24 June 2021 (10 am - 12.30 pm)
Mon 28 June 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! 

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.

UKRSA - The UK Research Staff Association
How do you navigate being research staff – and do you have something to say about the issues that researchers face?

We are a volunteer organisation whose mission is to empower researcher staff to take control of their careers and contribute to national policy. We are looking for new members to join our committee and help shape our next five years. No experience needed, just a willingness to get involved in projects designed to better support research staff at a national level. This is an opportunity to meet new people, make valuable connections, and add leadership skills to your CV. To get involved, please contact our Recruitment & Engagement Officers (Blanca Perez-Sepulveda BlancaPS@liverpool.ac.uk; Angela Midgley Angela.Midgley@liverpool.ac.uk) or the UKRSA Co-Chairs at UKRSAVitae@gmail.com, and find more information following this link.

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How do you feel about the Youth Justice Network?
The National Association for Youth Justice (NAYJ) is in the process of developing a postgraduate network to provide opportunities for those involved in youth justice work to share their expertise across the network. The NAYJ is an organisation that seeks to promote the welfare of children in the youth justice system in England by campaigning, lobbying, publishing practice and policy papers and providing training events and conferences. 

The NAYJ is keen to hear from postgraduate and early career on the NAYJ PGR/ECR Network and have developed a short survey

This survey is designed to find out how postgraduate and early career researchers feel about a new Youth Justice network. Please feel free to share the survey with your networks.

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Successful impact grant writing workshop
Are you a Social Sciences or Law ECR or PhD student looking for funding for impact activities? The universities of Exeter and Bristol and the South West Doctoral Training Partnership (SWDTP) are collaborating to provide this fully funded training session on Tuesday 8 June, 9:30am – 2:45pm, that will equip you with the tools, skills and confidence to develop a proposal that stands out in a highly competitive environment.  Find out more by clicking here.

July dates are now out!!

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.

Calling all researchers!  You will have received a unique URL to complete the CEDARs survey (created by Vitae - formally known as the CROS and PIRLS surveys). This is a chance for you to let the University know how well we are doing when it comes to supporting our researchers. The survey is open until Wednesday 30th June 2021 and should only take around 10-15 minutes to complete. We will donate £250 to the charity of choice for the college with the highest response rate.

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

The REF team are currently undertaking a REF2021 Lessons Learnt project, and would like to share with you the all-staff survey, where they hope to capture any feedback you would like to provide on the REF2021 process.

The team are very grateful to those of you who have already shared feedback, and if you have nothing further to share or do not have time to fill in the survey please do not feel obligated to do so – it is entirely optional.

Feedback or queries can also be sent by email direct to Kerry Hope in the REF team (Exeter-REF-2021@exeter.ac.uk). Your feedback will help shape discussions with UKRI and the University’s approach to the next REF. Thank you.

Last month Yolanda Hill wrote a great article for the May Newsletter about the Concordat.  

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.

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.

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A call to join the Living Systems Institute’s Early Career Researcher Network steering committee (LSI ECRN).
The LSI management team and the Doctoral College are keen to support the LSI’s ECR community. We aim to restart LSI ECRN activities and would like to set up a steering committee of LSI ECRs to run the network. Opportunities for network activities are vast and could include social events as well as formal training. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact Yolanda Hill y.r.hill@exeter.ac.uk.

Kelly Preece, Researcher Development Manager for PGRs is developing a new resource on  applying for postdoctoral funding on the Postgraduate Researcher Development Careers ELE page. For this resource she is  trying to source the following:

-  Examples of successful PDRA/F job applications from each academic college, to be anonymised.

-  Examples of successful postdoc funding applications for each academic college, to be anonymised.

These resources will provide crucial guidance and support to our PGRs as they move on to the next stage of their academic careers. If you would be willing to contribute your job or funding application as an anonymous example for this resource, please email k.preece@exeter.ac.uk.

Rebecca Whear has very kindly organised a QUIZ for all ECRs across all campuses!!

All ECRs will have, by now, received an email about the upcoming QUIZ!  This will be held online on Wednesday 30 June 2021 (1 pm - 2.15 pm) - joining instructions will be circulated nearer the time.

If you have any questions, please contact Rebecca Whear directly (R.S.Whear@exeter.ac.uk).

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. 

Making an Impact 2021
The University of Liverpool are pleased to announce the launch of Making an Inpact 2021, their flagship series of development opportunities designed to support and enhance research impact in all its forms.  They are opening up the following sessions to external partners. 

• A keynote related to the collective knowledge economy - Tuesday 8th June (10:00am-11:00am).
• A panel discussion on “Where can your postdoc take you?” - Tuesday 8th June (12:00-1.00pm).
• Making a civic impact in innovation, culture, and the economy - Thurs 10th June (9.30-10.30am)
• Where can my research take me? - Thurs 10th June (11.30-12.30pm)

If you have any questions please contact Saneeya (saneeya.qureshi@liverpool.ac.uk) or Angela (angela.midgley@liverpool.ac.uk)

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Wellcome Centre for the Cultures + Environments in Health (WCCEH) Seminar - Critical Disability Studies and the Disabled Child: Unsettling Distinctions - 10 June 2021 (3 pm - 4.30 pm)
In this seminar, Harriet Cooper (Lecturer at University of East Anglia), will be in conversation with Michael Flexer about her recent monograph, Critical Disability Studies and the Disabled Child: Unsettling Distinctions (Routledge 2020). Before the Q&A, Dr Cooper will give a short paper drawing on a section of the monograph which analyses the performativity of the ‘diagnostic speech act’ within the family of a disabled baby whose body does not yet reveal the signs of an impairment that will later be inscribed there. To register click here.

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Free, online Early Career Researcher (ECR) symposium on Climate Change Research - 22 & 23 June 2021
Original abstract submission encouraged on three themes: traditional natural resource management, today’s effects of climate change and tomorrow’s solutions, and environmental intelligence - data science for environmental research.  Abstract submissions close on 8 June 2021. Notification of the outcome of abstract submission will be communicated by 11 June 2021.

Register for the event here, submit your abstracts here, and find out more here.

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WCCEH/CPT Seminar - Constructing Mental illness and Criminal Responsibility in Capital Cases: Psychiatric expertise, Folk Psychology, and the Power of Stereotypes - 23 June 2021 (12.30 pm - 2 pm)
Organised by the Centre for Political Thought and Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health at the University of Exeter.  To find out more information and to register click here.

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Data Science Week 2021 - Save the Dates!

From 28 June - 2 July 2021 the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) will be celebrating Data Science Week.  This will be hosted online however (Government restrictions permitting), it is hoped to include the opportunity of a physical seminar and social gathering on the Wednesday afternoon/evening of this week.  More details to follow in due course.

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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. 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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A Symposium Co-organised by the Wellcome Centre for Cultures and Environments of Health, the International Institute for Cultural Enquiry and Exeter Decolonising Network - 1.7.21 (2 pm - 5 pm)
This symposium explores intersections of health and biomedicine, racism and racialisation, and renewed imperial and colonial legacies in the conjoined context of COVID-19, Brexit and related international disasters. To find out more about the Symposium and to book your place click here.

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The University 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.

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The Open University and the University of West London are delighted to bring you the 5th BME Early Career Researchers Conference - Friday 9 July 2021 (9.30 am - 6 pm)
To find out who the keynote speakers are at this year's Conference entitled 'Moving on Up' and to book your place click here.

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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.

Professor Lisa Roberts, Vice-Chancellor, talking about her life in academia, what excites her about her science and her personal journey - 2 June 2021 (10 am - 11 am) - Register here.

Professor Andy Jones  “Breaking 2: How the 2 hour Marathon Barrier was Finally Broken'' - 2 June 2021 (1 pm - 2 pm) - Register here.

Professor Pete Vukusic   “All Things Bright: Beautiful Science using Inspiration from the Living World” - 2 June 2021 (3 pm - 4 pm) - Register here.

Exeter Law Alumnus Marcus Harling   “Making Room for Creativity in a Career – Cultivating Skills for the Future – the Importance of Portfolio Thinking” - 3 June 2021 (1 pm - 2 pm) - Register here.

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.