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ECR Newsletter - October 2026
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Spotlight On ... Researcher-led Initiative Funding Award - NOW OPEN!
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Researcher-Led Initiatives Funding Awards - NOW OPEN!
Applicaton Deadline : Thursday 19 November 2026 (12 noon).
Maximum : £2,500 per Award.
This fund is designed to support the development and cascading of personal, professional and career management skills by and for postgraduate research (PGR) students and early career research (ECR) staff across the University of Exeter through the process of initiating, designing, managing, and delivering new professional development activities. Staff applicants will need to indicate their job family/explain how they fit into the ECR stage.
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Research Staff Development Programme
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ECR Representative Committee Meeting
Monday 19 October 2026 (2 pm - 3.30 pm) online
ECRs are welcome to join the next online Representative Committee meeting which is an opportunity for ECRs to have their voices heard and to raise issues that can be brought to higher University committee for deliberation. This meeting is also an opportunity to hear about what the University is doing for ECRs. If you wish to be added to the meeting circulation list, email researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk and you will be sent an invitation along with joining link.
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Emotionally Challenging Research
Wednesday 4 November 2026 (9.30 am - 1 pm) online
This workshop, delivered by Dr Tina Skinner, introduces a practical toolkit, inviting you to use the free Researcher Wellbeing Project (RWP) resources and guidance to support researchers, supervisors and institutions in managing the emotional aspects of their work and help your institution progress towards a strategic approach to researcher wellbeing and emotionally challenging topics (eg death, illness, war, crime, extreme poverty).
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How to Peer Review a Research Paper
Peer reviewing a research paper plays an important (and yet severely underappreciated) role in the research ecosystem – without reviewers there would be no academic publications!
This ECR resource, based upon an insightful online seminar by Dr Chris Wood (Head of Researcher Development and Research Culture), provides tips and guidance on how to properly conduct peer review of a research paper for an academic journal through a 9 point guide.
Read more articles on the Researcher Development & Research Culture (RDRC) ECR SharePoint Resource Hub which is designed to support personal and professional development, featuring:
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Comprehensive resources to help you develop key skills;
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Insightful blogs written by fellow ECRs;
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Quick access to useful tools and links.
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Other Learning and Development Opportunities: University of Exeter and Beyond
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ESRC Festival of Social Science
Saturday 17 October – Saturday 7 November 2026
The ESRC Festival of Social Science is an annual celebration of research and knowledge about people and society. It is an opportunity for anyone to explore the world of social science, from understanding how society has shaped our local areas to discovering behaviours that can help tackle climate change, through a range of events run by researchers from UK universities. There’s no cost to attend, and most are open to everyone, though some are aimed at specific groups. This year, several events will focus on money, finance and the cost of living, offering tools, insights and ideas to improve daily life.
The University of Exeter Translational Funding Team are proud to be supporting a number of these events this year.
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Creative Fellowships 2026/2027 – Callout for Academic Hosts
Deadline for applications: 18 October 2026
Expressions of interest are invited to host one of two Arts and Culture Creative Fellowship 2026-2027. Applications are open to Exeter-based academic and professional services staff. Fellowships can be hosted by a department, centre, institute, or network. The Fellowship will be open to practitioners of any artform (including visual, digital, sound and performing arts, film, literature, music, design and craft) with an interest in the research/host context. Rather than being a ‘residency’ or commission, where an artist is expected to work towards a pre-agreed output, these opportunities are described as placements, where the cultural practitioner is a peer.
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Getting Started with the British Library for ECRs
Thursday 29 October 2026 (2 pm - 4 pm) online
What is the British Library? What’s in the collection? How can I find what I need? What development opportunities are available?
Join their team online for an introduction to the British Library for prospective and current PhD researchers of all disciplines looking to engage with our collections.
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Free Arts and Collage workshop: Food insecurity, body acceptance and wellbeing
Friday 6 November 2026 (5 pm - 7.30 pm) - Streatham Campus, Creative Quadrant, Streatham Court.
Light refreshments available.
Join us on for a creative, hands-on workshop using visual arts and collage to explore food insecurity, wellbeing, and mental health. Through photography and collage-making, you will be invited to reflect creatively on themes including food access, care, nourishment, eating, body acceptance, and wellbeing.
The workshop will be hosted by the brilliant artist Carli Adby-Notley
The workshop will begin with a short introduction to food insecurity, wellbeing, and our related research. You’ll then explore and photograph everyday food-related objects connected to themes such as care, comfort, access, and scarcity. Using your photographs alongside magazines, packaging, paper, and other creative materials, you’ll create your own A4 collage. The session will finish with optional sharing, reflection, and a chance to view the artworks created together. No previous experience of photography or collage-making is needed, and all materials will be provided.
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Coding for Reproducible Research Training Initiative
Free-to-access programming training for staff. Places for each workshop series will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis
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Prosper: a free portal of resources and careers guidance for postdocs
Prosper is a free portal of resources and careers guidance for postdocs with advice on working in and beyond academia. The content is informed by postdocs, institutions, employers and research managers. Postdocs at Exeter are encouraged to register via the Prosper portal as an institutional user (using Exeter email address) for the best functionality of the site.
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Research Culture Workshop with Guest Speaker Dr Elizabeth Gadd
Wednesday 11 November 2026 (10.30 am - 11.45 am) online
Join our Responsible Research Assessment Group for an engaging online workshop with Dr Elizabeth Gadd, a leading international expert in research culture and responsible research assessment.
Drawing on her extensive experience, including as Chair of the Research Evaluation Global Alliance and former Vice-Chair of CoARA, Lizzie will explore the relationship between research culture and assessment, asking whether there are essential standards or conditions for enabling wider positive changes. Through Lizzie’s presentation followed by an interactive discussion, participants will consider which elements of research culture should be established as minimum expectations across research-performing organisations, how we define what "good" looks like and where a more graduated approach may be beneficial.
The session, open to all academic and professional services colleagues, offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on how responsible assessment can support positive research cultures and meaningful institutional change.
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Research Grants, Funding & Competitions
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British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grants
Independent scholars deadline for this round is 28 October 2026 (5 pm) GMT.
Funds are available to facilitate initial project planning and development; to support the direct costs of research; and to enable the advancement of research through workshops or conferences, or visits by or to partner scholars. All applications should demonstrate that Academy funds are sought for a clearly defined, discrete piece of research, which will have an identifiable outcome on completion of the Academy-funded component of the research.
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Lump Sum Funding in Horizon Europe: How does it work? How to write a proposal?
Thursday 12 November 2026 (10 am - 12 noon) (CET, Brussels Time) - Remote only, no need to register.
Target group: Applicants and beneficiaries who are, or will be, involved in lump sum grants.
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Data Impact Fellows 2027-28 - UK Data Service
£3,500 award for Early Career Researchers - Data Impact Fellow applications - now open!
Application Deadline : Monday 30 November 2026 (11.59 pm)
The UK Data Service has opened applications for its Data Impact Fellows scheme, offering a £3,500 award and dedicated support for early career researchers seeking to develop real-world impact from data-enhanced research.
The fellowship also provides the opportunity to join a community of like-minded researchers exploring how data can inform policy and practice across a range of disciplines.
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Supporting Research Community Training Grants
Applications Open : 27 January 2027
Applicatons Close : 31 March 2027 (3 pm)
Five grants of up to £2000 are available.
Hosted by the ACU Supporting Research Community, the Supporting Research Community Training Grants fund staff at ACU member universities to organise and deliver training for their early and/or mid-career researchers.
Formerly known as the Early Career Research Training Grants, the grants fund training that equips researchers with essential skills to enable them to succeed in their careers, whether they remain in academia, or utilise their skills in other professional fields.
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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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New Pivot-RP Searches for the ECR Community
As part of ongoing work to develop our university-wide support for fellowship applicants and active fellows, we have established two curated Pivot-RP searches targeted at this ECR community that can be readily accessed and tailored to individual’s needs. Guidance on how to do this can be found on the button below.
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Are you a UK-based researcher or innovator who has not yet applied to or taken part in Horizon Europe?
On behalf of the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (BIST), Technopolis Group has launched a national survey to better understand the UK's engagement with Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship research and innovation funding programme.
The survey is seeking views on:-
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The value and importance of international research and innovation funding opportunities;
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Barriers to engaging with and participating in Horizon Europe;
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The support needed to encourage greater UK participation.
Your feedback will help inform future European Framework Programmes and contribute to a stronger understanding of how UK researchers and innovators engage with international funding opportunities.
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Research & Researcher Networks
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The British Academy Elevate Programme
Deadline for Applicatons : 28 October 2026
FREE and delivered through a blend of online and in-person sessions.
This is an exciting opportunity for early career researchers to build the skills, confidence and networks needed to create meaningful real-world change through research.
It is more than professional development; it is a chance to strengthen your voice as a researcher, connect with a supportive and inclusive community, and prepare for future opportunities both within and beyond academia.
Participants can access:
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Leadership and professional development training;
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Workshops on publishing, funding and career development;
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Networking opportunities with researchers across the UK;
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A recognised development record through the getTWOit Skills Passport.
Learn more about the programme - it provides a valuable opportunity to develop professionally, expand your network, and enhance your future career prospects.
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Promoting Open and Reproducible Research at Exeter
Exeter is part of the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN) – a national initiative promoting open, transparent, and reproducible research across all disciplines.
The UKRN Exeter local network supports departments and research groups in improving research quality, transparency, and reproducibility. We’ll be running events and initiatives that offer training opportunities and celebrate excellence in open research across the University.
👉 Join the UKRN Exeter mailing list to stay informed by completing this form
👉 Get in touch with us with any questions or ideas: ukrn@exeter.ac.uk
Let’s work together to strengthen Exeter’s culture of open and reproducible research.
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HASS ECR Network - get-togethers taking place this term!
Tuesday 10 November 2026 (1 pm - 2 pm) - Streatham Campus, Queens Building, Senior Common Room.
Thursday 26 November 2026 (2.30 pm - 3.30 pm) - Streatham Campus, Queens Building, Senior Common Room.
As part of the HASS ECR Network activities, we are organising two informal lunch-time/coffee-time get-togethers in the second half of Term 1. Everyone who is a HASS ECR (R only, E&S and E&R) or a PhD student is very welcome to join us!
These are informal sessions where ECRs can bring their own lunch or have a coffee and gather for an informal chat and ideas exchange. There's no formal agenda and the aim is to foster community, meet and discuss our interests and experiences. No need to book your place - just come along!
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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 team.
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Health, Wellbeing & Support
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EURAXESS - free resources & support for researchers
EURAXESS UK provides comprehensive support and resources for researchers moving to or from the UK. Access a funding database, job search tools, and career development resources.
Join our network to enhance your research career today!
You are encouraged to sign up for the EURAXESS newsletter which includes a wealth of information about job & funding opportunities.
All EURAXESS services are free. EURAXESS UK is part of the European Commission’s initiative to support researcher mobility and career development.
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Supporting Colleagues with Connections to Conflict-Affected Regions
The University understands that this may be a particularly difficult and uncertain time for colleagues with loved ones in regions affected by conflict, violence, and humanitarian crises around the world.
Please remember that wellbeing support is available to you if you need it. Our Employee Assistance Programme, Spectrum Life, is accessible 24/7, offering free and confidential support, advice, and counselling to all colleagues and their dependants over 16. You will also find a range of useful resources for support on our Colleague Wellbeing webpages.
The University's Global Incidents webpage will be updated with further advice for colleagues as appropriate.
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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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