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ECR Newsletter - February 2026
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Spotlight On ... ECR Opportunity
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Opportunity for Early Career Researchers: ECR Representatives to RIEC
Deadline for Expressions of Interest: Friday 27 February 2026 (5 pm)
Expressions of Interest are now open for Early Career Researchers to become ECR Representatives to the Research & Impact Executive Committee (RIEC) for St Luke’s and Streatham campuses.
These roles offer an opportunity to amplify ECR voices, work with senior leaders, and help shape research culture at the University of Exeter, while developing skills in leadership and policy influence. Questions : ResearcherDevelopment@exeter.ac.uk
Role: ECR Rep to RIEC (St Luke’s and Streatham) - View the role here.
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Research Staff Development Programme
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ECR Representative Committee
Tuesday 24 February 2026 (1 pm - 2.30 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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RDRC Revamped ECR SharePoint Hub!
The Researcher Development & Research Culture (RDRC) refreshed ECR SharePoint Resource Hub is designed to support your 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.
This initiative has been driven by Becky Rowe, our Future Leader and Innovator, who has been a key part of the team over the past four months.
Explore the hub today and make the most of these resources!
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Other Learning and Development Opportunities: University of Exeter and Beyond
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Getting Published – Workshop with The Royal Society Publishing
Wednesday 11 February 2026 (2.30 pm - 4 pm) in-person only.
Streatham Campus, Building:One - Kolade Teaching Room, ONE/TR02
Are you a postdoc looking to improve your chances of having a smooth and successful publication experience? In this interactive workshop, delivered by Sarah Ferguson, Author Engagement Officer at the Royal Society, we will cover a variety of topics designed to help you navigate and demystify the publishing process, including:
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Choosing the right journal for your work;
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Understanding the publishing process from submission to production;
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Discussion of key journal policies, such as open science and the use of AI in manuscript preparation;
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Preparing your paper for submission;
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Enhancing the visibility of your work.
Any questions about the event beforehand can be directed to the Open Research team: openaccess@exeter.ac.uk.
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Researcher Opportunity with Amazon
Wednesday 11 February 2026 (1 pm - 4 pm) (with an optional tour of the building from 11.30 am).
The Developing Business Aware Academics (DBAA) Team is partnering with Amazon to host an academia-business networking event at Amazon’s UK Headquarters in London on the above date.
The event is for doctoral and early-career researchers from all disciplines at the University of Exeter (no prior industry experience required).
Attendees will have the opportunity to create connections, spark ideas and lay the foundations for meaningful, long-term professional relationships.
The afternoon will offer:-
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An introduction to university and industry workplace cultures, approaches to research and innovation processes.
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Relaxed one-to-one conversations that encourage curiosity and cultural knowledge exchange.
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Facilitated round table discussions exploring innovation themes in AI, and data, Innovation insights, Research – industry culture exchange.
Participation is free and the DBAA project can cover travel costs for attending researchers.
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Coding for Reproducible Research Training Initiative
These free-to-access programming training are for staff. Places for each workshop series will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.
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Introduction to Machine Learning (online) - 10/03/26, 17/03/26 & 24/03/26 (1 - 4 pm)
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Introduction to Regression with R (online) 16/03/26 (1 - 4 pm)
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Introduction to Python (Streatham) - 17/03/26 & 26/03/26 (10 am - 1 pm)
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Introduction to Python (St Luke's) - 19/03/26 & 26/03/26 (10 am - 1 pm)
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Introduction to Facilitating Creatively 2-Day Workshop
Thursday 12 March 2026 (10 am - 3.30 pm) Penryn Campus, ESI Previthick Room
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Tuesday 24 March 2026 (10 am - 3.30 pm) Penryn Campus, Exchange Yellow
It's important you can commit to the 2 full days of this training.
Ever wondered if there is a better way to run a meeting or a workshop? Boost your confidence, innovative thinking and collaboration skills – and transform the way you approach team meetings, workshops, teaching, and research groups.
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The DBAA Project Seeks Researchers to Feature in National Case Study Series
Share your experiences of engaging beyond academia.
The series highlights inspiring researchers discussing their careers and sharing tips on how they engage beyond academia to transform their research into action.
The DBAA (Developing Business Aware Academics) is now collecting new case studies from researchers across all institutions, disciplines, and career stages. This presents an exciting opportunity to showcase your work, reflect on your engagement experiences, and contribute to important research on what enables successful collaboration with non-academic partners.
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Research Grants, Funding & Competitions
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The Harding Prize for Trustworthy Communication
Application deadline: Sunday 15 February 2026
The Harding Prize for Trustworthy Communication is now open, and accepting applications to celebrate effective evidence communicators. The award is hosted in conjunction with Sense About Science, the Science Media Centre, and the University of Cambridge Statistical Laboratory, and awardees can win £3141.59 in honour of their contribution to communicating research.
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ECRN Policy Convening Fund 2026
Application Deadline - Wednesday 18 February 2026 (5 pm)
£4,000 (max).
The ECR Policy Convening Fund enables members of the British Academy ECR Network to work alongside the British Academy’s Public Policy team to deliver policy-oriented activities in topics related to their expertise and the Academy’s Policy programmes. Awards expected to commence March 2026. You will need to create an account to login and view the details of this funding (click on button below).
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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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Open Innovation Link Fund
The Open Innovation Link Fund is currently accepting applications to facilitate the translation of existing research into advances in new or existing products, services, policies, or practice.
This fund is perfect for short-term projects and small‐scale activities, such as workshops, meetings, the translation of findings, and development of frameworks to explore how the potential social and economic benefit of existing and on‐going research might be realised; or to establish a network in order to create and develop knowledge exchange opportunities.
All Open Innovation final project end dates and spend is 31 July 2026, in line with the end of the award.
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Open to: All academic staff whose impact work is in the social sciences regardless of career stage.
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Aim: To support the creation of links with new external organisations where there are clear opportunities for collaboration or to develop innovative ways of engaging with existing partners.
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Intended Length of Project: Up to 6 months.
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Award available: Up to £5,000.
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Calling for ECR input on Responsible Research Assessment
Researcher Development & Research Culture is looking for one or more ECRs to join our CoARA (Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment) Working Group. The group will develop an action plan over the course of 12 months, based on the ten CoARA commitments, which will help shape our research assessment practices, contributing to fairness for all, and ultimately improving the quality and impact of the university’s research. This is a voluntary role requiring a minimum commitment of 10 one-hour meetings across a year. You will
work with a small, varied team of Academic and Professional Services colleagues to identify priorities and develop an action plan. If you are interested, please contact Becky Euesden (r.s.euesden@exeter.ac.uk)
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Research & Researcher Networks
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British Academy ECR Network Southwest South Wales
Exeter co-leads the Southwest South Wales (SWSW) cluster of the British Academy’s ECR Network, a UK-wide network for all ECRs in the social sciences, humanities and arts for people and the economy. The Network provides opportunities for ECRs to enhance their competitive edge through skills development, support, networking, access to funders and other experts, and exclusive funding opportunities.
Join the Network here. Contact Linda Lanyon for more information.
Upcoming events in the SWSW (Registration links are included in the event title but you must join the Network to be able to access to the BA event platform):-
Connect to REF:
Tuesday 10 February 2026 (12 noon - 1 pm) Online
Discuss the changes to REF2029 announced in December and how they impact ECRs. Sarah Priston, Head of the Research Office, Bath Spa University.
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Generative AI and Learning and Teaching in Higher Education for ECRs
Monday 23 February (1 pm - 2.30 pm) Online
An introduction to strategies to embed AI literacy into your teaching and learning practices from a module/unit perspective. Dr Rachel Bynoth, Bath Spa University.
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REF 2029 and what it means for ECRs
Wednesday 4 March 2026 (1 pm - 2 pm) Online
A presentation by UKRI: Prof Greg Walker, Chair of REF Main Panel D: Arts and Humanities, will provide an overview of the REF for ECRs and key changes for REF2029, followed by Q&A.
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The Exeter Wellbeing Network is a social group for staff and PGRs run by volunteers, hosting a variety of events to help colleagues based at Streatham, St Luke's or online to connect with one another. Recurring events include StaffCraft, Volleyball, Walk and Talk and Fika; find the full list on our webpage.
You can also contact us at wellbeing-network@exeter.ac.uk.
If you are looking for information about activities at Penryn, Falmouth and Truro, please visit the Cornwall Wellbeing Network webpage.
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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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Research & Researcher Blogs
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Organising an Event & Need Help?
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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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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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