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ECR Newsletter - April 2025
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The Culture, Employment, and Development in Academic Research Survey (CEDARS)
Deadline : Monday 28 April 2025
This UK-wide survey is designed to capture the experiences, views, and needs of research staff and their managers in higher education institutions. It explores key areas such as research culture, employment conditions, professional development, and career aspirations. The opinions, ideas and experiences shared by you will go on to shape policy and practice at the University of Exeter and allow us to develop our already strong research culture. To have your voice heard click on the button below.
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Research Staff Development Programme
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Learning and Development Opportunities: University of Exeter and Beyond
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New Workshops for 2025 - Make your Mark series
Researcher Development & Research Culture continues with its peer to peer researcher development series of Make your Mark workshops in 2025. As a reminder, last year we had a great response to our call for ideas for new workshops to benefit the researcher community and we encourage you to book on to these new additions to the Researcher Development programme. Your research staff colleagues are kindly sharing their expertise and time to run these sessions. The individuals and their sessions are summarised below however you can also find further details in the sections that follow.
Dr Amicia Phillips - Opening Doors : Tips on Creating your Own Opportunities - 01/05/2025 (12 noon - 1.30 pm)
Prof Neil Vaughan – Writing Journal Articles : The Need to Knows - 06/05/2025 (11 am - 12.30 pm).
Dr Hannah Collis - Key Challenges and Sources of Support for Female Early Career Academics - 08/05/2025 (1.30 pm - 3 pm).
Dr Helen Foster-Collins - An Introduction to Nvivo - 21/05/2025 (1 pm - 3 pm).
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Research Conversations: How to become a PI - seminar series aimed at ECRs
These seminars will help you navigate the funding landscape and provide a valuable opportunity to learn how to progress your research career towards independence. Please do feel free to register for one/some/all the sessions using the Microsoft Form below. All events will be held online and face to face, with a brunch/lunch provided at face-to-face events.
Recycling an Application
When: Wednesday 23 April 2025 (12.30 pm - 2 pm)
How to be a Co-I or PI
When: Tuesday 20 May 2025 (12.30 pm - 2 pm)
This activity is a Researcher-led Initiative that has been funded by the University of Exeter Researcher Development and Research Culture team.
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Arts-Based Research Training
Thursday 24 April 2025 (10.30 am - 1.30 pm)
The Skydeck, Innovation Centre, Exeter, EX4 4RN
Led by artist and workshop facilitator Hannah Mumby, and creative researcher Dr Ella Harris, this free workshop will explore how creative methods can be used to generate impactful and wide-reaching research. Whether you are new to arts-based research, or simply looking for fresh inspiration, this is a great opportunity to broaden your creative skills. Contact per@exeter.ac.uk with any questions.
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Software Engineering Workshops
Improve your R Code - 29 April 2025 (10 am - 1 pm) - in-person Streatham Campus only
Introduction to Version Control - 2 sessions, 13 & 20 May 2025, (both 10 am - 1 pm) - in person Streatham Campus only
Introduction to Python - 2 sessions, 13 & 20 May 2025 (both 1 pm - 4 pm) - in person St Luke’s Campus only
Introduction to R - 3 sessions, 14, 21 & 28 May 2025 (all 1 pm - 4 pm) - in person Penryn Campus only
If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Coding for Reproducible Research team via CodingForReproducibleResearch@exeter.ac.uk
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Craft, Creativity and Community
Wednesday 30 April 2025
1.30 pm - 2.30 pm - BOOK GROUP: Rachael Allen's God Complex
Thursday 1 May 2025
11 am - 12.30 pm - Creative Writing in Collaboration: a Practical Discussion (in-person only, ALL WELCOME)
1.30 pm - 3.30 pm - Creative Writing Masterclass with Rachael Allen (in-person only, PGRs, ECRs, & PGTs)
4.30 pm - 6 pm - Rachael Allen in Conversation (hybrid, ALL WELCOME)
Wednesday 14 May 2025
1.30 pm - 2.30 pm - FOLLOW-UP SESSION: Reflection and Work-share
An inspiring and stimulating programme of events for PGRs and ECRs, with visiting writer Rachael Allen.
Click the event titles above to go through to Eventbrite for further details and registration.
The author of Kingdomland (2019) and God Complex (2024), both published by Faber, Rachael Allen is one of the most exciting voices of her generation, deeply committed to interdisciplinary and collaborative writing that breaches specialisms, modes, distinctions, and genres to create a more hybrid space for work to exist. She has a PhD from the University of Hull and works as an editor and lecturer in London. All enquiries contact Carrie Rhys-Davies (cr700@exeter.ac.uk).
This activity is a Researcher-led Initiative that has been funded by the University of Exeter Researcher Development and Research Culture team.
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Opening Doors - Tips on Creating your Own Opportunities
'Make your Mark' Series - Dr Amicia Phillips
Thursday 1 May 2025 (12 noon - 1.30 pm) - Penryn Campus, DM Seminar Room M
This interactive session will foster open discussion on taking initiative for career advancement. Participants will explore strategies for identifying and pursuing employment and funding opportunities, including those not publicly advertised. The session will also delve into ways to initiate research stays, placements, and collaborations. Through real-world examples of successful and unsuccessful attempts to create career opportunities, the course will provide practical guidance while encouraging participants to share their experiences and insights in an open environment.
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Writing Journal Articles : The Need to Knows
'Make your Mark' Series - Prof Neil Vaughan.
Tuesday 6 May 2025 (11 am - 12.30 pm) Online
This course will cover the essential skills to write and publish academic journal articles. This will include a thorough breakdown of the key sections of a journal article - abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion - and their specific functions.
The course will cover adhering to journal submission guidelines and formatting references in styles such as APA, MLA, or Chicago and will include techniques for presenting and interpreting data effectively using tables and figures to enhance the clarity of their findings.
Additionally, the course provides practical insights into navigating the peer review process, including strategies for responding constructively to reviewer feedback. To enhance productivity, participants will explore approaches like time management and dedicated writing sessions.
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Archives and Research: Insights and Potential - Exeter & Penryn
Tuesday 6 May 2025 (1.30 pm - 3.30 pm) - Exeter (Streatham Campus)
Tuesday 13 May 2025 (1.30 pm - 3.30 pm) - Penryn Campus
This in-person session will introduce researchers to collections held at the Streatham and Penryn Campuses. It will focus on how these materials can support current and future research and how the collections teams can assist in research and bid development. There will also be the opportunity to tour the archive store of the respective campus.
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The Future of AI and Its Impact in Mathematics Symposium
📅 Date: Wednesday 7 May 2025 (10 am - 4 pm)
📍 Location: Streatham Campus, Laver 320
This Conference will feature thought-provoking discussions led by renowned speakers, including:
🎙 Speakers:
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Prof. Yang-Hui He, Royal Institution, London
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Dr Sander Dieleman, Google DeepMind, London
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Prof. Ricardo Silva, UCL, London
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Prof. Chico Camargo, University of Exeter.
These experts will share their insights on AI-driven advancements in Mathematics. It will be a great opportunity to engage with leading researchers, exchange ideas, and explore the evolving intersection of AI and mathematical sciences. For more details, please see the attached poster.
Please note that registration is mandatory; however, it is free. You can secure your spot by registering via the button below.
This activity is a Researcher-led Initiative that has been funded by the University of Exeter Researcher Development and Research Culture team.
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Key Challenges and Sources of Support for Female Early Career Academics
'Make your Mark' Series - Dr Hannah Collis
Thursday 8 May 2025 (1.30 pm - 3 pm) Online
This online session will discuss the experiences and challenges faced by women working as early career academics, as well as the various ways in which they can be effectively supported. This session is based on an on-going research project, supported by British Academy/Leverhulme, which explores this topic across Business/Management Schools across the UK. While the data focuses on the experiences of women, we encourage all genders to attend the session to understand the challenges faced, which are both gendered and universal in nature, and it is the responsibility of everyone to support all early career academics as they embark within this industry.
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Human Tissue Act Training
Human Tissue Act (HTA) training is mandatory for anyone using or storing human tissue samples at the University of Exeter - next session on Tuesday 13 May 2025 (1 pm - 2 pm) Online
Anyone collecting informed consent as part of their research needs to attend the Informed Consent training, which is also on Tuesday 13 May 2025 (2.15 pm – 3.15 pm) Online.
Both sessions are online and open to everyone (ECRs and PGRs). We also welcome anyone to join for a refresher if they haven’t attended the training for over two years. There is no registration deadline or booking limit.
Please email HTA-return@exeter.ac.uk for further enquiries or to book a place.
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Join the Gender Equality Showcases in May (Penryn, St Luke's, and Streatham)
Are you involved in research, projects, networks or activities focused on gender equality? You're invited to showcase your work to students and staff in-person at:
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Penryn: Tuesday 20 May 2025 (12 noon - 2 pm)
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St Luke’s: Tuesday 20 May 2025 (11.30 am - 12.30 pm)
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Streatham: Wednesday 21 May 2025 (12 noon - 2 pm)
If you’re interested in showcasing, please complete this short form before Tuesday 22 April 2025. If you’d like to attend, the Gender Equality Conference website has more information on how to register (see button below).
The showcases will be relaxed/informal (with free cake and refreshments!) so you can join for all or some of the time. For any questions, please contact Sandip (s.samra@exeter.ac.uk).
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'Make your Mark' Series - Dr Helen Foster-Collins.
Wednesday 21 May 2025 (1 pm - 3 pm)
Streatham Campus, Old Library, Training Room 4
NVivo is a software program used for qualitative and mixed-methods research, to support the organisation and analysis of unstructured text, audio, video, and image data (eg, commonly used for projects which involve analysing interviews, focus groups, in-depth qualitative surveys etc).
This hands-on in-person workshop will introduce you to this software, and how to use it for coding during qualitative analysis, for methods such as thematic analysis, content analysis, grounded theory, and so on.
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The Health Resilient Researcher
Thursday 5 June 2025 (11 am - 3 pm) - Online
During this course you will discover new ways to view personal health and become a more resilient researcher. Start to address the key cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle and help yourself to become significantly more productive as a researcher, whilst finding a more authentic version of you. Rather than learning (yet more) about health fads, you will learn practices and life hacks that will slot into your busy schedule and start you on a road to achieving whole health. You will be invited back to a drop in one hour zoom session on 26 June 2025 at 11 am - 12 noon where you can check in on actions, you committed to doing within a month, based on the course.
Dr Joyce Reed BSc Hons MBChB, previously had a successful career as a Paediatrican working in various teaching Hospitals across the UK. Now she focuses on empowering people to find whole health, rather than managing disease via the emerging field of Health Coaching.
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Call for Academic Participation - AI in Creative Industries Festival
Monday 9 June - Tuesday 10 June 2025
We are looking forward to welcoming industry guests from AI providers and creative organisations for a 2-day festival encouraging conversation and collaborative R&D across 9 - 10 June 2025. As part of this event, there are a few opportunities for academics to get involved:
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Feature on a discussive panel and participate in a design sprint
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Host and showcase your research (either poster or other form). EOI below - deadline 25 April.
Funded by Project ADA, this event is led by Prof Gabriella Giannachi (ECW) and Prof Aline Villavicencio (IDSAI) with Exeter Innovation's Creative Economy team. Please email Alice Foulkes a.foulkes@exeter.ac.uk with any queries or interest in involvement. The guest list will be carefully curated and capped due to space constraints so please do not invite anyone at this stage!
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Project Management Essentials for Researchers
This online course comprises 4 sessions and it is a requirement that participants attend every session.
Monday 9 June 2025 (9.30 am - 12.30 pm)
Monday 12 June 2025 (9.30 am - 12.30 pm)
Monday 16 June 2025 (9.30 am - 12.30 pm)
Monday 19 June 2025 (9.30 am - 12.30 pm)
Enhance Your Project Management Skills with Our Virtual Course!
Join our exclusive four-part online course designed specifically for research active staff and particularly useful to Early Career Researchers. This course will equip you with essential tools and techniques for effective management of research projects. Led by Dr Fraser Robertson of Fistral Training and Consultancy, you'll explore critical topics including project initiation, scope definition, evidence-based planning, and risk management.
With limited places available, successful applicants must commit to attending all sessions and may need to obtain permission from their PI/Manager.
Take this opportunity to enhance your project management capabilities!
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Join IDSAI for a collaborative visit to Penryn – Mathematics & Data Science Exchange
Monday 16 June 2025
Deadline for siging up Friday 16 May 2025
Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (IDSAI) is partnering with Exeter Centre for the Mathematical Sciences (ExCMS) and Project ADA for a special visit to Penryn Campus on Monday 16 June 2025. The aim is to build new research connections in Mathematics and Data Science, and to spark conversations that span disciplinary boundaries.
Whether you're a member of academic staff, an Early Career Researcher, or a PhD student, we’re curating a day of engaging talks, poster presentations, and interactive discussion groups – all designed to promote the exchange of ideas across the Mathematical Sciences, Data Science, and other related disciplines.
Transport will be provided for colleagues attending based at Exeter campuses.
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Visual Literacy: How to Read and Construct Images
Monday 23 June 2025 (10.30 am - 12 noon) Online
We carry cameras with us everywhere, and nearly 5 billion photos are taken daily. But how many of those photos are well constructed and tell a great story? Visual literacy is a skill that helps us to not only interpret imagery in our everyday environment, but to help us build our own images and effectively communicate ideas and narratives to others. This online session will introduce you to the basics of how images are structured, drawing on historical artworks and contemporary advertising, and then offer practical guidance on strengthening the communication impact of your own images.
Profiles of Presenters : Sarah Campbell and Clare Hearn
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Inspire the Next Generation of Researchers!
The Doctoral College is working with the Career Zone on an “Inspiring Future Researchers” project to encourage students from *under-represented groups to consider research as an achievable career choice.
We’re looking for Postdoctoral Researchers (ECRs) and Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) from similar under-represented backgrounds to share their stories (the highs and the challenges!) to illustrate that research is an attainable goal.
We’ll be using various channels to share stories including online profiles and prerecorded podcasts. If you’d like to find out more and get involved in the project, please complete the following short registration of interest form button below.
*Under-represented groups include those students who identify with at least one of the following indicators as defined by the University of Exeter’s Access and Participation plan 2025-29 :- socio-economically disadvantaged background, 1st generation in family to access Higher Education , Bursary recipient, mature , Disabled (physical, mental health condition social and communication or multiple disabilities), ethnic minority, care experienced or estranged from family.
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FUTURES Festival 2025 Recruitment
Sunday 12 October 2025
We are now recruiting University of Exeter academics for FUTURES Festival of Discovery 2025. Hosted at Exeter Phoenix, with our Pop-Up Shop and associated activities, this event is run in tandem with Universities across the south west, and connects researchers to their local communities. We are looking for researchers at any career stage interested in bringing their work to the public through interactive, family-friendly activities. Contact per@exeter.ac.uk with any further questions.
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Research Grants, Funding & Competitions
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MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025
Launch of call for proposals - 8 May 2025
Deadline for submitting proposals - 10 September 2025
Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships enhance the creative and innovative potential of researchers holding a PhD and who wish to acquire new skills through advanced training, international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships will be open to excellent researchers of any nationality.
The scheme also encourages researchers to work on research and innovation projects in the non-academic sector and is open to researchers wishing to reintegrate in Europe, to those who are displaced by conflict, as well as to researchers with high potential who are seeking to restart their careers in research.
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Dr Andrew Cunliffe has created this Funding Finder platform which signposts hundreds of funding opportunities that will be of interest to current community members looking to undertake research, fieldwork, conference visits or exchanges with our partner organisations worldwide. It has easily searchable listings and awards ranging from £100 to £10,000,000.
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The University is a subscriber to PIVOT-RP, a comprehensive searchable online database of research funders and schemes, accessible to all colleagues and postgraduate researchers. To get started look at the Training and Guidance. Users can search for external and internal calls; create tailored searches, set up funding alerts, track opportunities, share, and collaborate with colleagues, and search for conference / paper calls
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New Study on Impact of Fixed-Term Research Contracts
Survey closes : Friday 25 April 2025
C-DICE, the Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure, Cities, and Energy is exploring the impacts of fixed-term contracts on early career researchers, to help improve working conditions and support the research community.
Early career researchers face challenges like lack of permanent employment, affecting their careers and well-being. The study will quantify the costs of these impacts on researchers and their employers and advocate for better policies for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable research culture.
The anonymous online survey is open to all early career researchers in any discipline that are currently or have recently been employed on a fixed-term contract.
Please share your experiences by Friday 25 April to help drive positive change. For each response, C-DICE donates to Cara, the Council for At-Risk Academics.
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Research & Researcher Networks
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SWSW Connect: Online Connection and Inspiration each month
Tuesday 15 April 2025 (12 noon - 1 pm) - Zoom
The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) - Southwest & South Wales (SWSW) invites ECRs across Humanities and Social Sciences to a monthly ECR-driven online gathering where we get to know each other, exchange knowledge, support and inspiration. Meetings combine thematic content with time for networking and fostering new connections across the region.
April’s topic:
Continuing the REACH Principles: What does Reach IN, Reach OUT, Reach BEYOND mean for us as individuals and as a Network?
How can we best use the ECRN for connecting with others (Reach Out) and using the supportive environment to extend skills (Reach Beyond)? We will discuss this together as a group and in smaller breakout groups which will allow time for connecting with each other. For more information, email Linda Lanyon (l.lanyon@exeter.ac.uk).
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Building a Sustainable Career and Navigating an Uncertain Future as an Early Career Researcher
Friday 2 May 2025 (12 noon - 1.30 pm) Online
The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) - Southwest & South Wales invites ECRs across humanities and social sciences to its Webinar Series.
The career landscape after you have completed your doctorate is a tricky journey to navigate. Uncertainty through short-term contracts and unstable locations can seem overwhelming to people new to research careers. Dr Simon Strange will explore his work with the Story Society at Bath Spa University and a career that spans academia and industry to
provide some suggestions for developing a sustainable research career trajectory. Exploring concepts of story and how developing a cohesive narrative through your research worlds can help to support a more secure path, looking at narrative CVs and developing an online presence that provides the best opportunity for fulfilment and sustainability. Contact Linda Lanyon for any enquiries.
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Raising the Value of Your Work with a Clear Professional Identity
Thursday 19 June 2025 (12.30 pm - 2 pm) - Online
John Niland, Self-Worth Academy
The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) - Southwest & South Wales invites ECRs across humanities and social sciences to its Webinar Series.
How do you talk about your work? In the Age of AI and of geopolitical turmoil, perception of value is changing all the time.
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What is professional identity and why is it important?
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Common pitfalls to avoid, when talking about your work
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The four biggest benefits of a clear identity at work
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The key steps to nurture an outstanding professional identity
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Why self-worth is vital, particularly during transitions
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Tips to illuminate the value of your work with other people
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Shifting from Growth-Mindset to Renaissance-Mindset
Contact Linda Lanyon for any enquiries.
The SWSW Webinar Series aims to bring knowledge and skill-based content relevant to our community every month, with engaging expert speakers.
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The Reproducibility Team are Seeking Expressions of Interest for UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) Local Network Lead
Deadline for Expressions of Interest - Friday 16 May 2025
A Local Network Lead provides the point of contact for UKRN and represents the grassroots network of researchers at an institution.
More details on the role of the LNL are available here:
This opportunity is open to both academic and professional services staff.
Interested individuals should send a short statement to Prof Mark Kelson (m.j.kelson@exeter.ac.uk) addressing each of the points below by Friday 16 May 2025.
(i) your reasons for wanting the role
(ii) your experience of reproducibility work
(iii) plans for activities you would like to prioritise in the role.
You can also contact Dr David Smailes (chair of the UKRN LNL committee - lnl-chair@ukrn.org) for further information or Prof Mark Kelson (reproducibility co-lead for Exeter)..
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ECR Community on Viva Engage
Have you noticed the University community for ECRs on Viva Engage? Lots of ECRs have already been added and if you are not on there, you can join. This is a collaborative online space to share and discuss ideas, ask questions and keep up to date with the latest activities, events and opportunities.
Have your voice heard and shape our community and ECR culture.
Join the conversation now by sharing your first post!
This page is maintained and moderated by the Researcher Development and Research Culture team.
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Health, Wellbeing & Support
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Forest Bathing: Experience the Benefits of Shinrin-Yoku on Penryn Campus
Tuesdays 15 and 22 April 2025 (8 am - 9 am)
Multifaith Chaplaincy near Tremough Barton Farmhouse (start and end point)
Start your day gently with a one-hour forest bathing session involving a walk and short mindful activities in the outdoors led by local practitioner, Paul Simmons. Forest bathing is a playful, slow and childlike exploration of the woodland surroundings with all our senses. Be prepared for all weather and bring something waterproof to sit on! A small tea ceremony will end the session at the chaplaincy. This event has been organised by the Cornwall Wellbeing Network, a campus staff community network, and is open to all staff and postgraduate researchers from the University of Exeter, Falmouth University, FX Plus and the SU. Email Paul (ps527@exeter.ac.uk) with any questions.
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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.
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