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Welcome to the December 2020 ECR newsletter, which includes events and opportunities that might be of interest to you as well as really useful health, wellbeing and support resources. The Researcher Development & Research Culture Team are now managing the Research Services/IIB Essential Series and details of upcoming courses are listed below. Further training will be added in due course.

We realise that this has been a challenging year for everyone and we hope that you are able to get some rest over the Christmas break and come back in the New Year refreshed. 

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.

Happy Holidays from all the Researcher Development and Research Culture team!

Congratulations to Cate Bennett who has recently joined the Researcher Development & Research Culture team as ECR Programme Manager.  Cate was previously a Consultant with Employability and Careers within the SEAS team and has extensive knowledge of researcher development and academic training, having held positions within Exeter and Plymouth universities and the NHS. Some of you may already have met her virtually and I am sure you will join the rest of the team in welcoming her along!

Researcher Development - Upcoming Training Dates - all delivered online:

Writing Groups for ECRs - Spring term dates to follow.

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.

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.
Writing 4* Research Papers - 10/02/2021 (9.30 am - 10.30 am) - 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.

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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.

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LinkedIn Learning is now available to everyone at the University!

This digital platform provides high-quality online training to over 16,000 courses whenever you want it and will be free for all staff and students. Simply login with your university details and start searching: LinkedIn Learning.

The courses available cover a huge range of subjects from the basics of Office 365 (Excel, Word, Teams etc) to advanced computer programming and soft-skills and wellbeing.

Key benefits include:

• Enhance your digital skills
• Learn a new skill from beginner through to expert (utilising learning paths)
• Access courses and videos to boost your wellbeing at work and at home
• Feel more valued by taking control of your professional development
• Help develop your employability 
• Support students to develop non-taught skills (Excel, SPSS, Nvivo, EndNote etc)

Login now via: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/

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EduExe Series : Enhance Special 

The EduExe Series is a sequence of interactive sessions centred on themes suggested by University of Exeter educators. The themes are:

• Assessment and feedback
• Active Learning communities
• Well-being and Inclusivity
• Technology in teaching

We are excited to announce an EduExe Series - Enhance Special, a week-long event where academics will share best practice from the last ten months. Starting on Monday 16th November, every day we'll discuss a different, relevant topic in engaging sessions using some of the tools that have become familiar in the past few months.

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  12.1.21   9 am - 9.50 am
Tues  12.1.21   10 am - 10.50 am
Tues  12.1.21   1.30 am - 12.20 pm
Tues  12.1.21   3 pm - 3.50 pm
Tues  19.1.21   9 am - 9.50 am
Tues  19.1.21   10 am - 10.50 am
Tues  19.1.21   11.30 am - 12.20 pm
Tues  19.1.21   3 pm - 3.50 pm
Tues  26.1.21   9 am - 9.50 am
Tues  26.1.21   10 am - 10.50 am
Tues  26.1.21   11.30 am - 12.20 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.

Translational Research Exchange @ Exeter (TREE)

The University of Exeter received a £1.5million grant from Wellcome Trust’s Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF) project, the third time it has successfully applied for funds through the leading scheme. We are now working towards the 2020/21 funding rounds for seed corn (round 8), pre seed and will long term be looking to advertise clinical secondments.

Applications are currently closed for the current round but you can download the application form here for reference if you are thinking of applying for future seed corn funding: Seed corn application 2020.

Date for future funding are:

• Opening call - 1st  November 2020
• Closing call - 15 January 2021
• Shortlisting - 1 February 2021
• Inform applicant - 8 February 2021
• Incubator event - 18/19 March 2021
• Grant start date - 1 April 2021

For general queries, please contact Ivana Gudelj.

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University of Liverpool - Annual Research Staff Conference - 7 December 2020

This year's focus is on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity. The following sessions are open to research and research-related staff at other institutions:-

Panel Discussion: Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in Academia: 11:30-13:00 - The panel discussion will raise awareness of issues around equity, diversity and inclusivity within academia and a discussion of solutions and actionable measures.  Register here.

Researcher Networking Session: 15:15-16:00 – This session will be nice informal way to chat with and share experiences with postdocs across different institutions.  Register 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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SMaRteN: The Student Mental Health Research Network Conference
Wednesday 16 - Thursday 17 December 2020

Open to all and tickets now available to book!

Topics being coverered are: Trends and Risk Factors: What do we already know about student mental health? Academic Culture: Exams, assessments, coursework, contact hours... What’s their effect on student mental health? Inclusion and Exclusion: Let's talk: the impact of discrimination, Interventions: From mindfulness apps to counselling to stroking dogs on campus , Mental Health Literacy: How aware are staff and students about spotting signs of mental ill health and looking after themselves? Future Priorities: Adapting to a new world.  To find out more and to book your workshop places click here.

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The Exeter Science Centre

This organisation is a not-for-profit STEAMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics and Medicine) science-discovery centre in Exeter, with an ethos of ‘Explore, Learn, Be Inspired (to change the world)’.  If you have an art submission that has been inspired by STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) please click on this link.  Entries from professional artists and non-professionals alike, of all ages.  Make sure your entries are submitted to us before the 18 December 2020.

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2020 Online Conference on Environmental Intelligence
Thursday 17 December (13:00 – 17:30) and  Friday 18 December (09:00-13:00)

The University of Exeter and the Met Office invite you to join a national conference on Environmental Intelligence.

Registration will open early October, for this free virtual meeting which will showcase internationally leading work in environmental intelligence and shine a light on key priorities and challenges in this emerging area of international importance.

Including an opening address by Sir Adrian Smith, Chief Executive of the Alan Turing Institute and President-elect of the Royal Society, the event will include interactive sessions and opportunities for informal networking.

Attendance is free. Further details will be released shortly. Please keep an eye on our website where we will post further details of the conference programme and confirmed speakers as they become available.

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.