Early Career Researchers Hub   :   ECR Training and Development

Welcome to this month's ECR Newsletter where you will find key information on the following:-

Spotlight On ...

ECR Researcher Development Programme

Learning and Development Opportunities: University of Exeter and Beyond

Research Grants, Funding & Competitions

Research Culture

Research & Researcher Networks

Research & Researcher Blogs

Organising an Event & Need Help?

Health, Wellbeing & Support

Please direct any questions you may have to researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

Previous copies of Newsletters can be viewed by clicking here. If you have something that you'd like to share in future Newsletters, click here for copy deadline dates as well as submission guidelines.

These successful summer workshops and talks were led by Luana De Giorgio and funded through this year’s Researcher-Led Initiative Awards.  The DCWFR is a network providing workshops and seminars to upskill researchers in women focused research across disciplines.

It is hoped that more sessions will roll out in the autumn. To stay up to date with any events and resources from the network you can sign up here to become a member or follow us on twitter @dcwfr_network, for any questions email dcwfr.network@gmail.com.

Below are the links to the recordings from the summer workshops:-
ECR funding for women focused research - Password: H?5sC4js
How to collect, prep and analyse Menstrual Cycle Data - Password: P3^2L=qL
Science communication and public engagement  in women's health research: getting started - Password: 1w72T^M?

The Researcher Development Core Training Programme for ECRs, is a development programme specifically designed for Early Career Research staff (ie, staff on research contracts grades E to G), across all campuses of the University of Exeter. Upcoming courses:-

Open Research - Publications, data and beyond - 27/09/2023 (12.30 pm - 2 pm)
How to Get a Fellowship - 03/10/2023 (9.30 am - 4.30 pm)
How to Manage Your Career - 04/10/2023 (11 am - 12.30 pm)
Overcoming Imposter Feelings - Support for Researchers - 05/10/2023 (9.30 am - 12.45 pm)
Writing Targeted Grant Proposals - 09/10/2023 (10 am - 11.30 am)
Publishing in Open Access - 11/10/2023 (10 am - 10.45 am)
Getting Stuff Done - 17/10/2023 (2 pm - 3.30 pm)
Mapping & Marketing Your Skills - 18/10/2023 (11 am - 12.30 pm)
Peer Reviewing Research Papers - 30/10/2023 (10 am - 11.30 am)
Questionnaire Design – a very basic introduction - 31/10/2023 (10 am - 11.30 am)

Details for all the autumn/winter ECR Core Programme can be found here.  Please bookmark as this page is continually being updated.

Unsure of your future career direction either within Academia or beyond Academia? Kenneth Howgill, (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.  

Kenneth can offer advice and discuss how to manage and plan your career and has timeslots in September and through to December.  Should you wish to meet him before then, please contact ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

In addition to 1-2-1 career coaching covering career planning and progression, Kenneth also offers support in preparing for job interviews, both for academic roles and positions outside of the university sector. This can include coaching on strategies for preparing to attend an interview (whether these be online or face to face) as well as going through potential questions using a practice interview format. Click on the button below to book your timeslot (these are the same as the normal 1:2:1 Career Coaching timeslots). Once you have booked your timeslot please contact Kenneth directly (k.a.howgill@exeter.ac.uk) with documentation on the role and application details.

Body Doubling is the process of working alongside others online or in person, in a supportive environment, for accountability and to help with concentration. The Neurodiversity Café is planning to start running Body Doubling Sessions, which aim to help staff members and PGRs feel focused and happy at work, especially when working from home. If you'd ilke to be involved in a pilot session, please get in touch via this participation and feedback form as your feedback is important.  To sign up for the Neurodiversity Café click on the button below. Contact edi@exeter.ac.uk if you have questions about this initiative.

Save the Date!
Tuesday 12 September 2023 (10 am - 4 pm) - Bath.

Please note: you will need to be a member of the British Academy Early Career Network to apply for this opportunity. Registration is quick and free. Sign up here.

Come meet your peers, form new research collaborations and learn about funding streams to get your ideas off the ground! The British Academy Early Career Researcher South West Hub will be holding their second Summit on the 12 September 2023 at the Hilton Hotel in Bath.

This is an opportunity for old and new BA ECRN members to connect with peers, celebrate the recipients of the first round of seed funding and event funding, and have your say in shaping the forward direction of the Network and South West Hub. A majority of the day will be dedicated to supporting you to form new research collaborations, networks and projects via a series of facilitated networking exercises with your peers and senior academics. You will also hear from the British Academy and South West Hub teams on funding streams that will support the delivery of any ideas emerging from the event.

The event is free to attend. Travel and accommodation is available via the British Academy.

Wednesday 20 September (10 am - 2 pm) - delivered online.

Interested in getting Media training then join this great informative session which will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need when it comes to presenting your research in the media realm.

Thursday 21 September 2023 (9 am - 1 pm) - Online

The Open University is hosting a free Conference to explore ways of promoting equitable research careers for disabled researchers*. Join for a day of learning, sharing, and networking.

The aim is to showcase best practice across the university sector, including initiatives within universities, research career development organisations and others- with the aim of supporting action and tangible outcomes.

*Noting that the term ‘disabled researchers’ is both contested and also multiple, covering researchers with D/disabilities, neurodivergencies (including autism and ADHD) and/or long-term health conditions.

New Extended Date for Sumissions : Sunday 24 September 2023
Event Date : Tuesday 21 November 2023
Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London

Joint Pharmaceutical Analysis Group (JPAG) presents their annual awards and careers symposium for all early career scientists in either postgraduate academia or industry. 

This free event provides networking opportunities and the chance to showcase your work in a friendly audience through oral or poster presentations which can be in any field associated with pharmaceutical or analytical measurement.

Complimentary registration is offered to all early career researchers submitting an abstract, whether in academia or industry. There will be a £1,000 first prize and £250 second prize for the best oral presentations as well as £200 first prize and two £100 runner-up prizes for the best posters. 

Wednesday 27 September 2023 and Thursday 28 September 2023

Join Global Leaders for Better Together for Better Insights, Research, and Outcomes Dive into the world of data in our free virtual conference! Researchers and Lumivero software users are being brought together to learn and connect for better insights when analyzing statistical and qualitative research to create outcomes that drive impactful decisions with Lumivero software: NVivo, Citavi, @RISK, DecisionTools Suite, Sonia, Tevera, and XLSTAT.

Why Attend?
.       150+ Presentations
.       20+ Product Workshops
.       8 Keynote Industry Leader Speakers
.       2 Days of Insights
.       1 Experience for Better Insights, Research, and Outcomes

Wednesday 11 October (1 pm - 2 pm)- Delivered Virtually

This training is mandatory for anyone wishing to store ANY human samples at the University of Exeter. 

If you plan to collect informed consent as part of your research, there is also the Informed Consent training held on Wednesday 11 October 2023 (2.15 pm - 3.15 pm) - delivered virtually.

Please contact HTA-return@exeter.ac.uk for further enquiries.

Friday 13 October 2023 (3 pm - 6 pm) delivered online.

The British Academy have teamed up with Coney HQ to put on this session that focuses on building resilience for a career in research.  You’ll be connected in the online session through fun and meaningful conversations and play, sharing tips and tactics to help you discover together your own resources for resilience in this adventure.  Sign up by 6 October to receive your mystery parcel in the post. (Late sign-ups will be able to participate with a digital 'parcel' but it will be a little less fun!)

Please note: you will need to be a member of the British Academy Early Career Network to apply for this opportunity. Registration is quick and free. Sign up here.

1.  Seed Funding Scheme
Call opens : Tuesday 1 August 2023.
Closes : Monday 25 September 2023

The aim of this scheme will be to create and support new cross-sector research partnerships and offer the funding to support ECR career development in the South West. These small awards (of up to £3K) will support the direct costs associated with activities that support new research, the development of new stakeholder relationships, broadening knowledge of a sector, future career options or accessing resources and facilities. Please note, this funding stream will not support events or workshops, which should be funded via the Development Fund (details below). More information and application form will be forthcoming. For any questions:  talentandskills@gw4.ac.uk.

2.  Development Fund (Rolling call).
The Development fund is a continuation of the Early Career Researcher led events fund that has seen 9 events held by and for ECRs in the South West from October 2022 to June 2023. It provides the opportunity for ECRs to hold an event, roundtable, meeting or training activity, which promotes networking, collaboration, knowledge sharing or develops skills throughout the region, and can be extended to the wider ECR network if appropriate. ECRs can claim a total of £3000 towards their activities which will need to be paid for by their institution and then expensed back to the BA. For more information contact the South West Hub team at talentandskills@gw4.ac.uk.

Closing Date : Thursday 12 October 2023 (11 pm)

Here is an opportunity to win one of 50 research grants worth £1,000 each to staff at UK universities conducting any form of research and postgraduate students at any UK university. The grant can be used to pay for any research-based expenses, for example, equipment, resources, travel and workshop or conference attendance but the choice is yours on how it could be best spent to support your research.

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? 

The responsible use of metrics in academic assessment forms part of our work to ensure a fair and positive research culture, something which the sector is increasingly placing importance on: REF 2028 will place 25% of the assessment on people, culture and environment.

Responsible metrics 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, we are looking for researchers to join our Responsible Metrics Champions Group, especially in departments not currently represented, to help ensure that this important agenda translates into our own university policy and practice. 

Those in the earlier 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 in 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

Research Culture is a shared endeavour and we want to foster a positive and thriving culture for everyone.

We'd love you to join the conversation on our Research Culture Viva Exchange (Yammer) Group. Here you can share best practice and relevant events, ask questions and give feedback and ideas as to how we can improve our research culture broadly - or more specifically in relation to our Research Culture SharePoint site.

Wednesday 27 September 2023 (10 am - 10 pm)
Sandy Park, Exeter

We are happy to announce that registration for Exeter Brain’s Networking event on Wednesday 27 September 2023 is now open.

Please note that applications to give a Flash Talk or Research Hustings are invited on the registration form (see below button). We particularly encourage flash talks from new members of the network, and these should be 3 minutes long with time for 2 minutes of questions.

For the research hustings, we encourage applications from individuals or groups of individuals who have an idea for a research project or grant proposal. These talks should be 10 minutes long with time for 5 minutes of questions and will be accompanied by a separate poster presentation discussion on the proposed research.

Advances in technology and engineering are enabling the generation of new non-animal technologies that can replace the use of animals in experiments where historically there have been no alternatives. Many researchers across GW4 are working with replacement technologies..

We are interested in setting up a replacement technologies network across GW4 for both researchers currently using replacement technologies as well as those looking to gain expertise in these areas. We hope the network will allow members to share research ideas, expertise and results as well as develop collaborations.

This 5-minute survey will gather information on what types of replacement research are taking place across GW4, who might want to join the network, what the best methods of communicating between members could be and what format the network could take. If you have any queries relating to this survey or the network, please email Dr Asme Boussahel: asme.boussahel@bristol.ac.uk.

Using their expertise in qualitative, quantitative and evaluative methods, and the experience (including lived experience) of others as appropriate, members of the network assess and evaluate policies and practices to better understand how and why people are subject to violence and injustice and the most effective methods for combatting these. Members across all career stages are welcome.

We are looking for PhD and Early Career researchers to contribute to Exeter’s Research & Innovation blog and write posts that are based on three questions about your work.  If you would like to find out more please email digitalteam@exeter.ac.uk.

We are currently updating and developing the ECR Hub webpages so that we can improve the information and support we provide you. Our aim is to make the Hub a one-stop-shop to help reduce the time you spend searching for key information and support, along with streamlining our communications to you.

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.

Find out how the University can support Early Career Researchers.  The page includes support from the University, Spectrum.Life as well as a list of networks to support staff wellbeing.