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Doctoral College Blog

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

• RDRC Programme
• Online Writing Groups for ECRs
• 1:2:1 Careers Appointments
• Research Software Engineers Group
• ExeBiblio - a book authoring intervention
• Free Policy Engagement Training for ECRs
• Two upcoming Public Engagement Events for ECRs
• ECR & Academic Social Media Training
• Images of Research Competition
• Exeter Research Network - Exeter Brain
• Tipping Point Conference
• Learning & Teaching in HE (LTHE)
• YES22
• Research Grants & Funding
• Latest Events and Opportunites
• and more!

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.

ECR Core Programme
Peer Reviewing Research Papers - 12/10/2022 (9 am - 10.30 am)
Writing World Leading & Impactful Research Papers - 18/10/2022 (1.30 pm - 3 pm)
Writing Targeted Grant Proposals - 02/11/2022 (9 am - 10.30 am)

Research and Innovation Essentials Series:-
Open Research - Publications, data and beyond - 22/09/2022 (10 am - 11.30 am)

Groups continue throughout the Autumn - all running 10 am - 12.30 pm - Click here for dates and details of how to join this group.

To make things easy, these sessions can be accessed via the same Teams link - click here.

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.

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 and has timeslots from 4 October onwards.  Should you wish to meet her before then, please contact ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk.

The University’s centralised Research Software Engineers (RSEs) group assists our research community with complex and bespoke research software needs. The RSE group is part of the Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

The group consists of Research Software Engineers who help develop, maintain, and extend research software. The RSEs are software engineers with science backgrounds well placed to understand the constraints of academic research and associated software engineering.

The RSEs have dedicated every Wednesday between 11:00 – 13:00 for ECR and PGR enquiries. Depending on the complexity of your query, the team will either arrange a Wednesday Teams appointment with you, or will answer your query via email. To contact the team, email ResearchSoftwareEngineeringGroup@group.exeter.ac.uk outlining the support you need and the urgency of your request.

The RSE’s also host a Slack channel where you can ask questions and receive answers from a community of knowledge: https://idsai-rf-rse.slack.com/.

The Doctoral College is pleased to provide you with the opportunity for structured, protected time for writing. ExeBiblio kicked off with a Symposium in July where we heard from top academic publishers and authors about the process, summarised in this blog. A series of online sessions followed and these continue in September, offering you a chance to either Discover Your Book (for those who would like to write a book and need help defining the topic), Craft Your Proposal (guiding you through the process of drafting a proposal to a publisher) and Protected Writing Time workshops (for those who just need the space to write). Register and choose your workshop at the following Eventbrite links:-

ExeBiblio 4: Wednesday 7 September at 10:00 am
ExeBiblio 5: Thursday 15 September at 1:00 pm
ExeBiblio 6 and signposting to more support: Friday 23 September at 12:00 pm
 

Policy@Exeter is partnering with leading training providers to deliver three exciting training sessions on how to engage with policymakers, including:-

• Communicating Your Research to Policymakers for ECRs - Tuesday 11 October (10 am – 1 pm).
• Welcome to Westminster: The Basics of UK Policymaking - Wednesday 19 October (10 am - 1 pm).
• Intro to Rapid Evidence Assessments - Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 November (9.30 am – 1.30 pm).

Past attendees described our training as “practical”, “interactive” and “very engaging”.

All sessions are free, delivered online and open to all ECRs and PGR students at Exeter regardless of discipline. Applications will close 2 weeks before each session. To find out more and apply for a spot, visit our Events & Training page. If you have any questions, feel free to email PolicyEngagement@exeter.ac.uk.

Public Engagement and Involvement with Research - 18/10/2022 (10 am - 3.30 pm)
Planning your Public Engagement with Research Project - 19/10/2022 (10 am - 3.30 pm)

To book your place/s, click on the course title above.

Both courses are a guiding principle of our research culture at the University of Exeter. Public engagement can lead to developing better quality research, improved research impact and has mutual benefits to researchers and publics. The course, developed by the Translational Research Exchange @ Exeter (TREE) will look at the benefits of public engagement with research, different methods of public engagement, how to evaluate your project and what funders are looking for. There will be opportunities to plan your project and receive support and feedback from facilitators and the Modelling Advisory Group Public Involvement and Engagement (MAGPIE).

2 November 2022 (12.30 - 2.30 pm) - Social Media Training for Researchers Beginners’ Session.
9 November 2022 (12.30 - 2.30 pm) - Social Media Training for Researchers Advanced Session.

Social media remains a vital asset in promoting the University’s amazing research to a global audience.

After a successful run of workshops earlier this year, we’re offering researchers the opportunity to join us for more interactive, guided social media sessions. These sessions are designed to equip users with the practical techniques and skills to raise the awareness and profile of academic work through the effective use of social media.

Running in November, this series of online workshops will contain different focus points and we would value your input in helping us personalise the content.  Please complete this short survey, which will help us identify where you are on your current social media journey.

You still have some time to enter this competition which is open to ECRs only and is a great chance for you to showcase your research to a non-specialist audience. Just select your most compelling image and write a short, jargon-free description. You have until Friday 2 September 2022 to enter. As well as the pride of winning, the top 3 selected will receive a Devon hamper! You can find out more (as well as view images from previous years), by clicking here.

Picture opposite is from Anurag Roy (entitled "Bonda: The Tribal Treasure).

Exeter Brain is a newly designated Exeter Research Network bringing together researchers interested in any aspect of the brain and its role in health and disease.

We are planning a day-long networking event in Exeter on Wednesday 7 September 2022.

To register interest in this event or join the network please complete this short form.

Conference 12 - 14 September 2022
Abstracts Deadline - now closed.
Join the Global Systems Institute and their partner organisations for three intensive, creative and rewarding days at a critical moment for humanity. The Tipping Points - from climate crisis to positive transformation conference will explore developments in negative and positive tipping points, at scales from local to global, and from theory to practice. Help shape future research and positive action to address tipping points risks and opportunities by exploring the impacts on and opportunities for different regions and sectors such as energy, transport, food systems and finance. Click here for more information and to book your place.

Registration for the Learning and Teaching in Higher Education Programme (LTHE) Autumn 2022 is now open. You will be able to register for Online Only or Blended routes. Please be aware that places for the blended routes are limited, and will be offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis (unless there is a specific learning need). Further information, including commencement dates, programme content, schedules, and FAQs, can be found by clicking here.

YES22 - Open for Applications
Application Deadline : Sunday 25 September 2022
YES is an innovative global competition developed to give STEM postgraduates, postdoctoral researchers and technicians the skills to communicate their research and think about how their ideas can be commercialised.

Over the last 27 years, YES has provided entrepreneurial training for over 6,000. Join the programme this autumn to:

• develop business skills;
• gain commercial awareness;
• bolster your CV;
• network with industry experts;
• pitch for £10k prize fund.

Discover more at www.yescompetitions.co.uk or join one of our online 30-minute awareness sessions.

BA ECRN South West Hub – Seed Funding Award Scheme
Application Deadline - Monday 26 September 2022 (12 noon)
GW4 Alliance, in partnership with the Universities of Bath, Bath Spa, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Gloucestershire, Plymouth and UWE, are launching a new seed funding award scheme for the British Academy Early Career Network (BA ECRN) South West Hub, funded by the British Academy and the Wolfson Foundation.  The BA ECRN aims to create an environment where all early career researchers in the Humanities and Social Sciences can realise their potential by providing access to resources, opportunities and professional connections that might otherwise be unavailable.  To find out more and to apply click here.

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GW4 Building Communities Development Awards
Application Deadline - ongoing
The awards will support new, and advance existing, collaborations across the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter by funding single activities or resources. The small awards can be used for a variety of purposes, such as developing stakeholder relationships, seminars, community workshops, or public engagement activities.  There is no closing date for applications, with awards set to be made throughout the year. Find out more by clicking here.

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Check out the Research Toolkit webpages for more opportunities.

RaNT 2022 Conference
5 - 7 September 2022 (Living Systems Institute, Streatham Campus)
Could your research help save lives in hospital one day?  Join this FREE 3-day conference.  Oral and poster presentation slots open to all ECRs.  For more information click here. For latest updates, follow Twitter @Raman_NanoT.  Any queries, email Dr Ryan Edginton at rant@exeter.ac.uk

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The Centre for Study of Life Sciences Seminar
Linking Health and Social Data for Research : the CIDACS Experience in Brazil
12 September 2022 (3.30 - 5 pm) Newman Purple LT
IDSAI are delighted to join forces with Egenis who will be delivering this seminar, by Mauricio L Barreto, University Emeritus Professor at the Federal University of Bahia and a Senior Investigator at Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Brazil and Bethania de A Almeida, a sociologist who worked with NGOs in the areas of habitation, education and health.  Further details will follow, but for now, click here for further details and contact ;">Sabina Leonelli if you like to find out more.

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Public Engagement for ECRs
Application Deadline - Monday 19 September 2022 (5 pm)
Policy@Exeter would like to invite all early career researchers to apply to the next Voice of Young Science workshop in October.

VoYS is a unique and dynamic network of early career researchers across Europe committed to playing an active role in public discussions about research. The next Standing Up for Science Workshops will take place on Wednesday 26 October, at the Wellcome Collection in London. Join the workshop to find out how to make your voice heard in public debates about science and research.  The University of Exeter has 5 priority spots for this full-day workshop, although last year on average about 8-10 ECRs from Exeter attended each session! To apply for a spot, please fill in this application form by Monday 19 September at 5pm!

The language used by the VOYS network could discourage some researchers from applying, eg mature ECRs or researchers from non STEM subjects - please do not let this put you off from applying to this amazing opportunity!

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UK National Postdoc Appreciation Week 2022
This year’s Postdoc Appreciation Week will be commencing on the week of 19 September, and The University of Manchester will be putting on an online event open to everyone from any UK/ROI institutions. It will be held on Monday 19 September 10.30am. The run time is about 90 minutes although it may overrun slightly due to the nature of the last segment (CV workshop). This year’s theme is “The Postdoc Toolbox”, starting with humour and insights to what may already be in Postdocs’ toolbox arsenal, and resources on how they could better equip themselves. Details can be found by clicking here.

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FUTURES2022: Calling all Researchers
30 September - 1 October 2022
FUTURES2022 is a festival of discovery, taking place on Friday 30 September – Saturday 1 October, that celebrates the research and innovation across the South West with an exciting programme of events and activities. Organisers are looking for ideas for interactive engagement. To find out more and to express an interest, click here.

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British Academy: Gender and Sexuality: ECR Networking Day
12 October 2022 - Bristol
The Gender & Sexuality Networking Day will bring together South-West based early career academics who work across the interdisciplinary field of Gender and Sexuality Studies to identify areas of commonality, map potential regional stakeholders and share best practice for collaborating with external partners. The networking day is intended to be a broad church for ECRs from the arts, humanities, social sciences and human sciences, and we welcome ECRs interested in forming new research and public engagement collaborations. To find out more and register click here. Reasonable travel and accommodation can be provided by the British Academy.

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British Academy: Practice Research Networking Day
26 October 2022 - Plymouth
The Practice Research Networking Day will bring together South West based early-career researchers with an interest in practice research. The aim of the event is to encourage networking, offer space for discussion on practice research and identify strategic goals for the community. It will also encourage new collaborations and initiatives in the network. To find out more and register click here. Reasonable travel and accommodation can be provided by the British Academy.

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Artificial Evolution 2022 (EA 2022)
31 October, 1 and 2 November 2022 (Exeter)
The Biennial International Conference on Artificial Evolution (EA 2022) will celebrate its return for its 15th anniversary in Exeter, and for the first time in England.  Click here to find out more.

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The British Academy - ECR Network : Monthly Online Coffee Hour
Takes place on the last Friday of every month.
This Coffee Hour aims to give ECRs the space to speak to one another. This could be about similar issues faced, general work/life discussion points or research projects, just to name a few. Click here for more information.

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UKRSA representative for HREiR award (Voluntary - maternity cover)

Involvement in looking at HREiR applications from different Universities and sitting on the panel to discuss the awards. Typically there are 5 rounds/panels in a year, each panel taking 1-2 hours and some involvement with reading two-three applications per panel. (Alison Tidy has had experience in this in the past covering previous maternity cover and is happy to discuss and help someone settle into this role  (alison.tidy@nottingham.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 your peers. To find out more about the Networks and who your Network Rep is click here.

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

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

See the latest news update on the Concordat here.

Please remember to check the University Travel Policy for Colleagues before booking any travel for work purposes. The information covers both international travel and trips within the UK. Find out more click here. If you have any concerns, please do contact researchrestart@exeter.ac.uk and the research restart panel will be happy to discuss any bespoke issues that require further support and consideration.

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.

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 by clicking here.  The page includes support from the University, Spectrum.Life as well as a list of networks to support staff wellbeing.