University of Exeter and Bath Spa University co-lead the British Academy Early Career Researcher cluster for the South West and South Wales
Those starting out in research careers in social sciences and humanities across the region will have support to upskill, network and engage and collaborate with each other
The University of Exeter and Bath Spa University are co-leading the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network cluster for the South West and South Wales.
Those starting out in research careers in social sciences and humanities across the region will have support to upskill, network and engage and collaborate with each other as part of the initiative.
The network, run by University of Exeter and Bath Spa University, is one of four regional British Academy Early Career Researchers clusters established with funding from the Wolfson Foundation and the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
The network is co-led by University of Exeter’s Head of Researcher Development and Research Culture, Chris Wood, and Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Research and Impact Fellow, Sanja Djerasimovic, alongside Bath Spa University’s Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise, John Strachan, and Centre Manager for Centre for Applied Humanities, Rebecca di Corpo.
Dr Djerasimovic said: “At the University of Exeter we are working to create an open, ethical and supportive research culture and environment that celebrates diversity and compassion and prioritises the health and wellbeing of our research community.
“This network is an exciting opportunity to provide further skills development, expanded training, career development and academic and extra-academic networking activities for social science and humanities researchers, who are working to find answers to the world’s grand challenges.
“This will strengthen the standing of the South West and South Wales regions in these disciplines, retaining talent, sparking new ideas and increasing the research capacity of early career researchers, enabling them to thrive in a diverse, collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.”
The network will help university managers to better understand and support the specific needs of humanities and social sciences researchers by focusing on career paths, teaching responsibilities and funding that is specific to this domain.
Early career researchers will play a key role in determining what the network delivers for its community and will get access to mentoring from prestigious fellows of the British Academy.
One of Bath Spa University’s key research missions, like that of the British Academy itself, is to promote excellent research in the humanities and social sciences. It prides itself on being a university of choice for Early Career Researchers, in part, based on its recognition of the value of professional and creative practice and the importance of embedding impact and public engagement in all research practice. The support and development of its research community in an inclusive and collaborative way has been a key part of the University’s successful research and enterprise strategy.
Professor John Strachan, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Enterprise at Bath Spa University said, “We are committed to supporting Early Career Researchers in developing the diverse set of skills required to pursue a research-driven career. This includes short to longer term collaboration and partnership, whether locally or internationally, engaging with a range of stakeholders.
“Our aim is to use research, creativity and innovation successfully to address the key issues of the day. At Bath Spa University we address regional, national and global contexts through well-established networks including our Global Academy of Liberal Arts (GALA). Allied to this aim is our deep commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and our support for researchers from under-represented groups in higher education. Testimony to this is our accolade as University of the Year for Social Inclusion in the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024, in recognition of our commitment to empowering staff and students from all backgrounds.
“We are not only delighted to be working closely with the University of Exeter on this important initiative, but also our wider regional university partners engaged in the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network South West South Wales cluster.”
At the University of Exeter staff have longstanding expertise in training and supporting humanities and social sciences early career researchers. There is a bespoke ECR Researcher Development Programme which includes support for research impact, career progression, research leadership, research integrity, media training, and grant writing.
There are also research staff working groups, dedicated Early Career Researcher funding streams, mentorship programmes and peer-to-peer support activities: writing retreats, educational practice development, career advice and planning, impact and public engagement activities.
Dr Wood said: “Early Career Researchers are valued at Exeter with targeted and practical opportunities to create their own professional relationships and networks. We are excited about the opportunities that expanding and enhancing the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network South West and Wales cluster will provide in terms of broadening and deepening connections across universities to enhance our respective existing institutional Early Career Researcher provisions.”
Through co-leadership of the cluster our universities will provide, among other opportunities, a variety of training sessions on ethics, leadership, project management, data management, research integrity, impact and public engagement with research, open access, career development, IP and commercialisation, working with businesses, knowledge exchange and policy engagement.
Set up earlier this year, the co-led British Academy Early Career Researcher Network South West, South Wales cluster will soon be hosting a series of networking events, designed by and for Early Career Researchers, to expand their networks, facilitate cross collaboration, and encourage strong engagement with professional development opportunities.
The network has been established with thanks to support from the British Academy.
