Newsletter – Feb 2024

Welcome to news and updates for our UoB ECR community

In this first ECR newsletter for 2024, I am delighted to introduce our new ECR school rep for SATE – Marco Bernagozzi.

In this edition, I have included information on the forthcoming R&KE week so please do put it in your diaries (25th – 28th March). There is an exciting programme of workshops and development opportunities for ECRs so do save the date and see below for a glimpse at the programme. There are also a couple of internal initiatives with closing dates in Feb (see below) and I wish you the best of luck with your applications.

Finally, at our focus groups ECRs suggested they would appreciate virtual space to meet with other ECRs. We do have an ECR teams site and you can join here. I will be populating the teams page over the coming weeks so please do take a look and introduce yourselves. We do also have our blog page where you can find info.

R&KE initiatives

There are currently a number of initiatives open for you to apply for:

  1. The ECR Partnership and network building fund – no deadline. This fund aims to enable early career researchers with research within the AHRC remit to establish or extend their networks with defined non-academic communities, audiences, partners, or stakeholders. This fund has no deadline, applicants can apply at any time and will normally be reviewed with outcomes provided in 7-10 days. All funds must be spent by March 2024.

  2. Research Excellence Launchpad – deadline 23.59 16 February 2024. The Research Excellence Launchpad provides seed-funding to launch staff into producing excellent research and knowledge exchange. This fund aims to provide time and resources to support staff to work on distinctive and original research and knowledge exchange projects that demonstrate the potential for excellence. Awards from this scheme are of up to £25,000 for up to 12 months. Projects can fund either staff time or project costs for this scheme. Applications must be submitted to RaKEInitiatives@brighton.ac.uk

    3. Knowledge Exchange and Impact Catalyst – deadline 23.59 16 February 2024. The Knowledge Exchange and Impact Catalyst Fund offers seed funding to support the development of mature projects to deliver a step change in knowledge exchange and impact outcomes. Projects will need to clearly demonstrate how they will contribute to future KEF and/or REF submissions. The scheme offers awards of up to £10,000. This fund will prioritise work that demonstrates novel routes to impact through research and knowledge exchange endeavour or presents a plan to commercialise existing research to suit a need in the external market. Applications must be submitted to RaKEInitiatives@brighton.ac.uk. If your research fits into an Arts and Humanities remit, please take a look at the AHRC Impact Acceleration Account page for further impact funding opportunities or contact the team at ImpactAccelerationAccount@brighton.ac.uk.

Do read Staff News every Friday to keep up-to-date with initiative launches and check the Research and Knowledge Exchange Sharepoint site for detailed information.

R&KE week

R&KE week 2024 will run from 25th – 28th March, culminating in a showcase on Wednesday 27th March alongside the Doctoral College’s PG festival of research. There will be a poster competition, and workshops include:

  • Planning your R&KE career
  • Research and Knowledge Exchange Impact Masterclass
  • Getting Your Research Published
  • Exploring Careers Outside of Academia

Watch this space for more info to be announced very soon

Inaugural lecture series – Spring 2024

University of Brighton’s public lecture series is underway. Delivered by newly appointed professors, the lectures delve into the ground breaking research Brighton academics are carrying out to address some of the biggest challenges facing people and communities here in Brighton, across the UK and around the world.

You can book now to hear:

Professor Heike Rabe Wednesday 21 Feb 2024: Improving neonatal care: Ancient ideas revisited

Professor Lesley Murray Wednesday 6 March 2024: Moving precariously: Women and children’s immobilities in urban space

Professor Michael Okorie Wednesday 20 March 2023: Doing drugs: Through the lens of a clinical pharmacologist

Workshops to help you develop skills and greater understanding

Take advantage of inspirational workshops delivered by external facilitators and our own experts.

IAA Skills and Capacity Building Programme:

Integrating impact into your funding bid, Monday 18 March 2024, 10:30-12:00, online. Facilitator: Mark Reed, Fast Track Impact

CPD accredited impact e-learning, Four online modules to be undertaken a times suitable to you. What is impact? | Identifying impact | Evidencing impact through engagement | Developing a compelling impact narrative

1:1 coaching for impact planning, online. We have engaged a facilitator to help take your impact ambitions forward, get in touch to discuss how this option might suit your needs

BSMS research workshops

New: Reinforcing Research Projects: Statistics and Health Economics (in-person) Tuesday 20 February, 10.00-11.30 Seminar room, Medical Research Building. The workshop will provide the opportunity to meet with Stephen Bremner, Professor of Medical Statistics and Natalia Ivashikina, Senior Lecturer in Global Health Economics at BSMS who will talk about statistical and health economic issues which should be considered when planning and conducting research in health care.  Stephen will talk about the interlinked concepts of study design, sample size determination and analytical approach. He will also explain what support is available from the statistics team at BSMS.  Natalia will talk about different methods of economic evaluations and how to select the appropriate method for your research. You will learn about uncertainty in costs and health outcomes and how to address it in your analysis. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about your particular research project. Please register here

Interested in another topic? Visit the R&KE workshops and training Sharepoint page to find out about other opportunities. If you have a group of ten or more researchers, you can contact Research Services to explore some of the on request workshops available.

Peer-to-peer mentoring

I am very pleased to offer a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme for ECRs, in line with the Concordat. In addition to the mentoring you receive from your research mentors, peer-to-peer mentoring will allow you to enhance your own mentoring skills, develop your network across the University, and gain valuable insights from your peers into current research issues and development opportunities. Please get in touch with me if you would like to be part of this.

Are you a panel member/peer reviewer for an external funder?

We are hoping to expand our current overview of academic colleagues who might sit on peer review panels/steering groups for external awarding bodies, (UKRI, Charity, Gov etc), that we might refer to when expert advice is needed pertaining to specific funders.

This would equip the teams at Research & Knowledge Exchange, (RaKE) with a wider directory of colleagues who we could contact when queries pertaining to specific funders arise and where first hand knowledge of that funder’s process would benefit and improve our responses, strengthen applications, and contribute to future training and development events.

If you have any experience of panel or steering group membership/peer review that you would be willing to share with us, please complete the table below and return to ResearcherDevelopment@brighton.ac.uk

If you have questions or would like to get in touch, please send an email to the above address.

Relationship Dates
Example: AHRC Peer reviewer/panel member 2022 – present

 

Reflections on a research development field trip, Kentucky, USA – Dr Warren Stewart (SHSS).

This blog represents a summary of some of my experiences during a research development trip with researchers based at the University of Louisville (UL). It is based solely on my observations and experiences and is not the official views of the US Department of Corrections. The trip was generously funded by the University of Brighton, via the International Collaboration Fund. The purpose of the visit was to progress the analysis of data generated through a study on older adults in Kentucky prisons; to visit a selection of correctional facilities; the observation and limited engagement with (prisoner) Peer Care Givers (PCGs) in US prisons, and to identify future research funding streams. Both myself and my U.S. co-researchers have experience implementing and evaluating peer caregiver programmes in prisons. During the visit I shared my own research through the Medical Ethics Research online seminar series at UL with around 100 academics, students and community groups in attendance.

I visited four correctional institutions in Kentucky, each of them was extremely interesting on many levels. The institutions were Roederer Correctional Complex (RCC), Kentucky Correctional Institution for Women (KCIW), Louisville Metro Department of Corrections (LMDC), and Kentucky State Reformatory (KSR). The rationale for visiting these particular institutions, was to gain an overview of the pathway through the Kentucky state justice system. Reflecting on the differences and similarities between British and US systems made for some interesting comparisons. As a mental health nurse academic with experience managing health services in justice settings I was intensely interested in the health and social care facilities, however, there were numerous other areas of interest. A manager talked us through administration issues, such as, the assessment and allocation processes, the number of prison spaces available and associated costs per place, throughout the state of Kentucky. My immediate impression was US prisons are slightly better funded than UK prisons, this is on the basis of a number of observations, such as the number of MRI scanners and the thoroughness of medical screening. Prisoners in two institutions were given iPad style tablets and could make phone calls through them. Each new prisoner is assessed by an MDT including a psychologist as well as nursing and justice workers. A judge sits permanently at LMDC, and I was surprised to learn appearances were filmed and some of the material was televised!

My intention is not to sensationalise the differences but significantly at LMDC the officers carried handcuffs, pepper spray and tasers. I saw physical restraints of various kinds, such as an upright restraint chair, (said to be rarely used). At KSR we were shown around a disused segregation unit with accommodation for as many as 178 prisoners, inclusive of an autopsy room, prison morgue and evacuations tunnels. At times it felt like we were on a movie set. Yet there was a tangible rehabilitation ethic. We saw some very well-equipped prison industries’ centres and a large horticulture centre. Rescue dogs were being trained in several sites for the local community, unexpectedly the rescue dogs resided in the prisoner’s cells overnight.

Rescue dogs are trained within the prison facility.
Rescue dogs are trained within the prison facility.

The following section discusses some of the issues relating to peer caregiving in Kentucky prisons. In each facility we saw different approaches and methods of prisoners supporting other prisoners; peer support in prisons can mean a wide variety of tasks and involve many formal and informal roles and responsibilities. I spoke with several justice and healthcare professionals and engaged with teams of PCGs in two prisons. In KCIW, the PCGs were based on the mental health day unit, and at KSR where the PCGs were located in the dedicated dementia unit.

At KCIW, I visited the physical and mental health centres, interestingly they have a dentistry, chemotherapy and other allied health facilities. The facilities were well equipped, and the buildings appeared modern, indicating a good level of funding. I was able to engage with two PCGs of a team of eight; interestingly both had been employed as care assistants prior to being sentenced. Most of the residents on the unit appeared to be self-caring, so the role appeared to relate to supporting social activity, as opposed to traditional care work. The manager said the PCGs were paid $2.50 per day for their labour. She suggested there was a relatively high turnover of PCGs which was not ideal. The PCGs said they enjoyed their work, they felt training on dementia, communication, resilience, loss and safeguarding would support their roles.

At KSR, I was shown around a very large healthcare unit, which includes, a physical health unit, an acute mental health unit, and the segregation unit was upstairs in the complex. I observed the space where the inmates undertook residential courses on various forms of psychological skills training. The most significant part of the tour was the dedicated regional dementia unit. Prisoners experiencing neuro-cognitive disorder in neighbouring institutions could be transferred here for specialist support. Management of the centre was overseen by a generic manager, however, on a day-to-day basis the centre was managed by a clinical social worker, supervised by a psychologist.

Five PCGs were on duty during the visit, three PCGs worked on the centre during the night. This is a comparatively well-paid position at $2.70 per day. I observed the PCGs performing a number of activities including cleaning and helping older prisoners with arts-based activities. I was shown a de-escalation room and there were three blank documents that were completed by the PCGs, covering the nutritional intake, sleep, hygiene and behaviour of the older adults – these documents formed a basic daily care record. The guides mentioned that the PCGs could not perform their activities during the Covid-19 pandemic, and we heard how much their services were missed.

What lessons can be shared between UK and US prisons in relation to supporting and supervising PCGs? Given the increasing numbers of older, frail and nearing the end of life in UK prisons it would seem reasonable to review some aspects of the official guidance. Acknowledging the need for careful screening, training and supervision, a review could enable greater flexibility within the role, or something more similar to the American PCG model.

As yet, the UK does not have an equivalent to regional dementia care centres in UK prisons. This would seem like a need, and a cost-effective service and it has the potential to improve the quality of care. In the US, there appears to be an argument for greater discretion or a relaxing of official legislation in specific vulnerable prisoner units. In both the UK and US, there should be greater recognition for the role of the PCG, to retain their services and increase the quality of care. Specifically, more training and ongoing support and supervision are needed.

Newsletter October 2023

Welcome to news and updates for our UoB ECR community

I am delighted to introduce two of our new ECR school reps – Jo Pilcher (School of Art and Media) and Lis Bundock (School of Education). I am sure they will be introducing themselves to ECRs in their schools in due course.

The R&KE team have announced a number of really exciting initiatives (see below) and I wish you the best of luck with your applications. There are also a number of opportunities for ECRs to participate on the award panels, as well as the Concordat Implementation Steering Group (CISG) – read on for more details and do get in touch if you have any questions.

Finally, I would like to highlight an ECR blog post written by Warren Stewart from SHSS on his reflections on a research development trip to the USA. You can find the blog post here. I always welcome blog posts by ECRs, so if you have anything you would like to share with the community, then please get in touch.

Expressions of Interest for membership of award panels or CISG

Earlier in the week, I emailed you about opportunities for early career researchers for this coming academic year. As part of the university’s commitment to involve ECRs in decision making, applications are open to all Early Career Researchers for the following opportunities:

1. Opportunities to be a panel member on award panels for flagship initiatives

This year, all internal funding and development panels will have an early career researcher representative role in their constitution. This is a really great opportunity to understand how a grant review panel works which will be of benefit when preparing future internal and external grant applications.

2. Opportunity to participate in the Concordat Implementation Steering Group (CISG)

The CISG ensures the university is fulfilling its obligations to support the career development of all researchers, in line with the sector-wide ‘Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers’. The CISG meets three times a year to go through the Concordat and oversee its implementation and to make recommendations on its development. There are currently two vacancies for ECRs on this steering group, as well as a dedicated representative role for fixed-term researchers.

Please email us to let us know you are interested in either opportunity and send to Katherine Staines (ECR Ambassador) at K.Staines@brighton.ac.uk and to Lauren Greenslate (Research Culture and Environment Officer) at L.Greenslate@brighton.ac.uk by the end of the working day on Friday 20 October 2023. Please note in your application if you are on a fixed-term contract.

CEDARS focus groups

Ingrid Pugh and I will be holding focus groups based on the CEDARs results on Thursday 9th November. We will be holding one at Falmer (10am) and one at Moulescoomb (2pm). Venue TBC. We would love to speak to you about your experiences and discuss some of the results which have come out of the report. Please contact me if you are happy to participate.

R&KE initiatives

There are currently a number of initiatives open for you to apply for!

  1. The ECR Partnership and network building fund – no deadline. This fund aims to enable early career researchers with research within the AHRC remit to establish or extend their networks with defined non-academic communities, audiences, partners, or stakeholders. This fund has no deadline, applicants can apply at any time and will normally be reviewed with outcomes provided in 7-10 days. All funds must be spent by March 2024.
  2. Bid Builder  – deadline 23:59 Monday 30 October 2023. The Bid Builder Programme aims to provide structured, specialist support to colleagues in building the skills they need to develop bids to secure external research grant funding.
  3. Student Research Experience Scheme – deadline 23:59 7 November 2023. This fund aims to provide hands-on research experience to undergraduate or taught postgraduate students on projects covering all disciplines across the University of Brighton.
  4. Global Fellowships – deadline 23:59 15 November 2023. As part of our internationalisation aim, the University invites applications for a University of Brighton Global Fellowship from world-leading researchers and scholars whose primary place of work is in a non-UK country. Research-active colleagues are encouraged to consider acting as a University of Brighton (UoB) collaborator and invite world-leading researchers and scholars to apply for this opportunity.
  5. Policy and Participatory Research Fund – deadline 23:59 23 November 2023. The Policy and Participatory Research Fund provides seed funding of up to £10,000 for knowledge exchange and impact projects that explore or pilot opportunities, test new research methodologies, build networks and partnerships, and enable collaboration and partnership. This fund will prioritise work with participatory research, community partnership or policymaking as a key focus.

Do read Staff News every Friday to keep up-to-date with initiative launches and check the Research and Knowledge Exchange Sharepoint site for detailed information.

Peer-to-peer mentoring

I am very pleased to offer a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme for ECRs, in line with the Concordat. In addition to the mentoring you receive from your research mentors, peer-to-peer mentoring will allow you to enhance your own mentoring skills, develop your network across the University, and gain valuable insights from your peers into current research issues and development opportunities. Please get in touch with me if you would like to be part of this new scheme.

Inaugural lecture series – Autumn 2023

University of Brighton’s public lecture series is underway. Delivered by newly appointed professors, the lectures delve into the groundbreaking research Brighton academics are carrying out to address some of the biggest challenges facing people and communities here in Brighton, across the UK and around the world.

You can book now to hear:

Professor Mark Devenney Wednesday 8 November 2023: Democratic equality after climate change

Professor Jaime Vera Wednesday 22 November 2023: From despair to hope: The past, present and future of HIV medicine

Professor Peter Clough Wednesday 6 December 2023: Inclusion: In memoriam?

Research dictionary

Visit our blog for a list of acronyms and research terms used at UoB. This month’s featured one is:

Research Professional – University of Brighton subscribes to Research Professional, an online database of research and knowledge exchange funding opportunities and policy news. This subscription enables you to:

  • Create personalised funding searches
  • Set up email alerts
  • Explore bid writing tips
  • Read advice from previously successful applicants
  • Access interviews with funders and news from across the HE Sector

There is lots of information on the R&KE sharepoint on how to set up your Research professional account and create email alerts. Or, if you come to one of the drop in sessions during R&KE week then someone will be able to help you.

Workshops to help you develop skills and greater understanding

Take advantage of inspirational workshops delivered by external facilitators and our own experts.

IAA Skills and Capacity Building Programme:

Introduction to impact and knowledge exchange, Thursday 26 October 2023 13:00-16:30, in person, Edward Street room 103, lunch provided. Facilitator: Rebecca Blease, Walcott Communications

Utilising arts and humanities methodologies in policy making, Thursday 14 December 2023, online, 10.30 -12.30 Facilitator: Policy Lab

Evidencing and evaluating impact, Tuesday 23 January 2024, 10:00-12:30, in person, Mithras House room G5, refreshments provided. Facilitator: Saskia Gent, Insights for Impact

Integrating impact into your funding bid, Monday 18 March 2024, 10:30-12:00, online. Facilitator: Mark Reed, Fast Track Impact

CPD accredited impact e-learning, Four online modules to be undertaken a times suitable to you. What is impact? | Identifying impact | Evidencing impact through engagement | Developing a compelling impact narrative

1:1 coaching for impact planning, online. We have engaged a facilitator to help take your impact ambitions forward, get in touch to discuss how this option might suit your needs

BSMS research workshops

Sharing your research data – from planning to publishing (in-person) Thursday 26 Oct from 12.00-13.00 in seminar room, Medical Research Building. Colleagues from the University of Sussex Library team will discuss how they can support researchers with their research data, including the tools and services available. They will cover: use of DMP Online to write a data management plan in advance of funding applications; what to consider before starting a research project to facilitate data sharing; finding a suitable repository for your data and writing data access statements in line with funder requirements. Please register here

How to connect with research partners, end users and industry (in-person)  Wednesday 1 November 2023 from 12.30-14.00 in seminar room, Medical Research Building. Facilitators: Nick Bull and Deeptima Massey. This is a joint workshop between Life Sciences and BSMS. The workshop will focus on ways to connect with non-academic partners, how to identify relevant “stakeholders” and map them to your project goals for successful collaboration. The session will also include a presentation covering what is industry engagement, how can it benefit your research, an introduction to HEIF, engagement and knowledge Exchange as the route to research impact, practical steps to kick off your activity and resources and contacts. All academic staff welcome and Early Career Researchers are encouraged to attend! Please register here

Boosting impact using social media (in-person) Wednesday 8 November, 14.30-16.00 in seminar room, Medical Research Building. Facilitator: Matt Bemment. As an academic and researcher, you may spend countless hours researching, analysing data and writing papers. This effort is potentially only worthwhile if your work is promoted and distributed to the audience to whom it is intended to benefit. Social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram have revolutionised how academics publicise their research and engage with people beyond their institutions. The purpose of this interactive workshop would be to enable people to build professional networks, allow strategic networking, cultivating and maintaining relationships, improving visibility beyond academia and tips on turning their research into effective social media messages. Please register here


Networking and Collaboration: How it can help your research (in-person) Wednesday 15 November, 12.30-14.00, seminar room, Medical Research Building. In this workshop, Professor Harm Van Marwijk will share how “connectedness” and strategic networking can enable cross-fertilisation of complementary ideas, expertise and skills. He will share his own experience of networking effectively and setting up successful collaborations within the UK and beyond. There will also be an opportunity for participants to look at our own networks and make the most of the opportunities we have. Please register here.

Bridging the gap between lab science, clinical practice and research (now in person and via Teams) Tuesday 28 November, 14.30-16.00, seminar room, Medical Research Building. In this workshop Professor Mood Bhutta, Dr Jess Eccles and Dr John Jones will be sharing their experiences of how clinical practice and lab work informs their research, make suggestions on building research as part of everyday practice for clinicians and lab-based scientists and the benefits of being research active. The talk will be followed by an opportunity for participants to take part an activity by discussing the challenges and opportunities of linking clinical work, lab science and research practice. Please register here

How to get published in a Medical Journal: A perspective from Clinical Medicine (now in person and via Teams) Thursday, 7 December, 9.30-11.00, seminar room, Medical Research Building. In this talk Professor Anton Emmanuel, Editor-in-chief at Clinical Medicine, will give a behind-the-scenes look at how papers are selected for publication in Clinical Medicine. We will learn about the journal’s editorial process, how peer review works, and how to respond to reviewer comments, as well as getting top tips on writing your paper and maximising reach and impact. Please register here

Engaging with UK Parliament as a researcher (in-person) Wednesday 31 January 2024, 13.00-14.30, seminar room, Medical Research Building. Sarah Carter-Bell, Knowledge Exchange Manager at UK Parliament, will present a short introduction for colleagues to begin connecting their research with Parliament. The session will introduce the key parliamentary teams that engage with researchers and address how research evidence can enhance Parliament’s debate, scrutiny and legislative functions. It’ll cover top tips for engagement and help researchers find the best audience for their research. The session will conclude with Q & A. Please register here

New: Reinforcing Research Projects: Statistics and Health Economics (in-person) Tuesday 20 February, 10.00-11.30 Seminar room, Medical Research Building. The workshop will provide the opportunity to meet with Stephen Bremner, Professor of Medical Statistics and Natalia Ivashikina, Senior Lecturer in Global Health Economics at BSMS who will talk about statistical and health economic issues which should be considered when planning and conducting research in health care.  Stephen will talk about the interlinked concepts of study design, sample size determination and analytical approach. He will also explain what support is available from the statistics team at BSMS.  Natalia will talk about different methods of economic evaluations and how to select the appropriate method for your research. You will learn about uncertainty in costs and health outcomes and how to address it in your analysis. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about your particular research project. Please register here

Interested in another topic? Visit the R&KE workshops and training Sharepoint page to find out about other opportunities. If you have a group of ten or more researchers, you can contact Research Services to explore some of the on request workshops available.

Newsletter April 2023

Welcome to news and updates for our UoB ECR community ….. from R&KE week!

Research and Knowledge Exchange Week graphic 17-21 April 2023
Research and Knowledge Exchange Week graphic

I hope you are all enjoying the programme of events for Research and Knowledge Exchange Week.

There are still many highlights this week for ECRs include sessions on: What do we mean by KE?; Exploring careers outside academia, R&KE masterclass. 

Also, don’t forget to come along to the R&KE drop-ins to meet the R&KE team and get any advice you may need.

The week will culminate in a showcase celebration event on Friday 21 April at the Sallis Benney, with presentations from recent initiative winners and a poster competition. It is not too late to book your place!

Research dictionary

Visit our blog for a list of acronyms and research terms used at UoB. This month’s featured one is:

Research Professional – University of Brighton subscribes to Research Professional, an online database of research and knowledge exchange funding opportunities and policy news. This subscription enables you to:

  • Create personalised funding searches
  • Set up email alerts
  • Explore bid writing tips
  • Read advice from previously successful applicants
  • Access interviews with funders and news from across the HE Sector

There is lots of information on the R&KE sharepoint on how to set up your Research professional account and create email alerts. Or, if you come to one of the drop in sessions during R&KE week then someone will be able to help you.

Inaugural lectures Summer series

University of Brighton’s public lecture series returns this spring. Delivered by newly appointed professors, the lectures will delve into the ground breaking research Brighton academics are carrying out to address some of the biggest challenges facing people and communities here in Brighton, across the UK and around the world.

You can book now to hear:

Professor James Ebdon Wednesday 26 April 2023: HUMANS, HEALTH & H2OPE: Combating waterborne disease in an age of phage

Professor Mark Devenney Wednesday 10 May 2023: Political equality and climate catastrophe: Democracy after ‘humanity’.

Professor Tamar Jeffers McDonald Wednesday 24 May 2023: Movie magazines and Hollywood: An interdependent history

Professor Stephen Bremner Wednesday 7 June 2023: Fishing, dredging and veering off-course: How statisticians ensure you’re waving, not drowning

Peer-to-peer mentoring

I am very pleased to offer a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme for ECRs, in line with the Concordat. In addition to the mentoring you receive from your research mentors, peer-to-peer mentoring will allow you to enhance your own mentoring skills, develop your network across the University, and gain valuable insights from your peers into current research issues and development opportunities. Please get in touch with me if you would like to be part of this new scheme.

Potential conference of interest:

Vitae International Researcher Development Conference 2023

We look forward to welcoming you to Vitae’s annual conference (#VitaeCon2023) for all those with an interest in the policy and practice of global researcher development. 

 

Newsletter February 2023

Welcome to news and updates for our UoB ECR community.

R&KE funding opportunities – *last call*

Research and Knowledge Exchange funding opportunities

1) Launchpad – deadline 11.59pm, 24 February 2023

Aims to launch staff into producing excellent research and knowledge exchange. Awards from this scheme are of up to £10,000 for up to 12 months.

2) Knowledge Exchange and Impact Catalyst Fund – deadline 11.59pm, 24 February 2023

Aims to support the development of existing research into a project that will deliver a step change in knowledge exchange and impact outcomes. It offers awards of up to £10,000 for up to 12 months for projects.

3) Student Research Experience scheme – deadline 23.59 on Monday 6 March 2023

Aims to provide hands-on research experience to undergraduate or taught postgraduate students on projects covering all disciplines across the University of Brighton. Find out more about submitting a project for consideration as a project lead.

Peer-to-peer mentoring – *new initiative*

I am very pleased to be launching a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme for ECRs, in line with the Concordat. In addition to the mentoring you receive from your research mentors, peer-to-peer mentoring will allow you to enhance your own mentoring skills, develop your network across the University, and gain valuable insights from your peers into current research issues and development opportunities. Please get in touch with me if you would like to be part of this new scheme.

R&KE week: 17 – 21 April

Research and Knowledge Exchange Week graphic

The programme for Research and Knowledge Exchange Week is now ready and booking will be made available online very shortly. Highlights for ECRs include sessions on: Getting your research published; Postdoc mentoring lunch; Planning your R&KE career; What do we mean by KE?; Exploring careers outside academia.

 

Programme for the Research and Knowledge Exchange Week
Research and Knowledge Exchange Week 2023 programme

 

 

 

The week will culminate in a showcase celebration event on Friday 21 April at the Sallis Benney, with presentations from recent initiative winners and a poster competition. The poster competition will be open to both research and knowledge exchange active staff and postgraduate research students.

Inaugural lectures Spring series

University of Brighton’s public lecture series returns this spring. Delivered by newly appointed professors, the lectures will delve into the groundbreaking research Brighton academics are carrying out to address some of the biggest challenges facing people and communities here in Brighton, across the UK and around the world.

You can book now to hear:

Professor Andrew Dilley
Touching a raw nerve: Controversies in the field of chronic pain
Wednesday 15 March 2023 at 6.30pm, Chowen Lecture Theatre, BSMS Teaching Building, University of Sussex

Professor Barbara Philips
Individualising chaos: Prescribing drugs in high stakes environments
Wednesday 29 March 2023 at 6.30pm, Chowen Lecture Theatre, BSMS Teaching Building, University of Sussex

Booking details for the summer series will be released in March for the following:

Professor James Ebdon Wednesday 26 April 2023: HUMANS, HEALTH & H2OPE: Combating waterborne disease in an age of phage

Professor Mark Devenney Wednesday 10 May 2023: Political equality and climate catastrophe: Democracy after ‘humanity’.

Professor Tamar Jeffers McDonald Wednesday 24 May 2023: Movie magazines and Hollywood: An interdependent history

Professor Stephen Bremner Wednesday 7 June 2023: Fishing, dredging and veering off-course: How statisticians ensure you’re waving, not drowning

Key dates

Research dictionary

Visit our blog for a list of acronyms and research terms used at UoB. This month’s featured one is:

CEDARS – Culture, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey. This will be launching in the coming months, so watch this space!

Newsletter January 2023

Welcome to news and updates for our UoB ECR community.

See the source image

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a peaceful break. In this second newsletter, I am pleased to give you dates for our forthcoming inaugural lectures, as well as information on two drop-in sessions for the R&KE Launchpad initiative. I am also really excited about kick starting our ECR peer-to-peer mentoring scheme and so please do get in touch if you would like to get involved. As always, I am more than happy to hear from you about any suggestions for ECR development opportunities or any issues you may be facing. Best, Katherine

R&KE funding opportunities – including drop-in sessions and testimonial

Research and Knowledge Exchange funding opportunities

1) Launchpad – deadline 11.59pm, 24 February 2023

Aims to launch staff into producing excellent research and knowledge exchange. Awards from this scheme are of up to £10,000 for up to 12 months.

We are running two drop-in sessions for you to come and ask the Research and Knowledge Exchange department any questions you may have about the details of the Launchpad scheme. It is also an opportunity to meet other ECRs and/or dedicate some time for you to think about your potential application and/or start the writing process.

The sessions will be:

  1. Wednesday 25 January: 1-2pm, Elm House 302
  2. Monday 30 January: 1-2pm, Teams [Meeting ID: 343 948 868 370 Passcode: yjos58]

2) Bid Builder – deadline 12noon, 27 January 2023

The aim of the Bid Builder Programme is to provide structured, non-discipline specialist support to researchers in developing an external grant proposal.

Testimonial from Vanessa Marr (Bid Builder cohort 1): “I was able to see my project ideas from a funding perspective almost immediately with the Bid Builder programme. The peer support element is really useful too, as we’re simultaneously learning to review other’s proposals whilst building our own”.  

3) Knowledge Exchange and Impact Catalyst Fund – deadline 11.59pm, 24 February 2023

Aims to support the development of existing research into a project that will deliver a step change in knowledge exchange and impact outcomes. It offers awards of up to £10,000 for up to 12 months for projects.

4) Ignite 2.0 Enhancing Research Culture 2022-23 – deadline 5pm, 10 February 2023

Proposals can focus on developing a research project with an existing partner, help form a new partnership, or re-ignite dormant ones.

For more information, see latest articles on staffcentral or visit the Research and Knowledge Exchange Initiatives SharePoint page for further information, including details on how to apply, scheme guidance and application forms. Please contact RaKEInitiatives@brighton.ac.uk with any queries.

Peer-to-peer mentoring – *new initiative*

I am very pleased to be launching a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme for ECRs, in line with the Concordat.

In addition to the mentoring you receive from your research mentors, peer-to-peer mentoring will allow you to enhance your own mentoring skills, develop your network across the University, and gain valuable insights from your peers into current research issues and development opportunities.

Please get in touch with me if you would like to be part of this new scheme.

Inaugural lectures return!

University of Brighton’s public lecture series returns this spring. Delivered by newly appointed professors, the lectures will delve into the ground-breaking research Brighton academics are carrying out to address some of the biggest challenges facing people and communities here in Brighton, across the UK and around the world.

You can book now at:

Professor Rusi Jaspal
Identity: Its creation, growth and defence among gay and bisexual men
Wednesday 15 February 2023 at 6.30pm, Rooms 103 and 104, Elm House

Professor Becky Allen
The hidden lives of teachers: Seeking best practice in a diverse world
Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 6.30pm, Rooms 103 and 104, Elm House

Professor Andrew Dilley
Touching a raw nerve: Controversies in the field of chronic pain
Wednesday 15 March 2023 at 6.30pm, Chowen Lecture Theatre, BSMS Teaching Building, University of Sussex

Professor Barbara Philips
Individualising chaos: Prescribing drugs in high stakes environments
Wednesday 29 March 2023 at 6.30pm, Chowen Lecture Theatre, BSMS Teaching Building, University of Sussex

R&KE week: 17 – 21 April

Research and Knowledge Exchange Week graphic

The Research and Knowledge Exchange (RaKE) team are busy planning a Research and Knowledge Exchange Week for 17 – 21 April 2023. Watch this space for a full programme but you can expect a number of development workshops and networking activities to be taking place across the University that week.

Key dates

Research dictionary

I am putting together a list of acronyms and terms that you may hear being used at the UoB but aren’t sure what they mean – get in touch if there are any you would like more info on. This month’s featured one is:

URAKE – The Research and Knowledge Exchange Committee (URAKE) is the key strategic committee of Academic Board responsible for all aspects of research and knowledge exchange. The Committee will recommend any major new policies in relation to research and knowledge exchange to the Academic Board for approval. 

Newsletter December 22

Welcome to news and updates for our UoB ECR community.

See the source image

It gives me great pleasure to put together this first newsletter in my role as ECR Ambassador. I hope that you find the information within this useful, and it inspires you to attend a workshop you hadn’t previously considered or apply for an internal funding opportunity. I have been in this role for a couple of months now and am really enjoying getting to meet as many of you as I can and learning about the different research happening across the University. As always, I am more than happy to hear from you, so please get in touch. I will be sending out the next newsletter in January, and so I would finally like to take the opportunity to wish you a peaceful festive break and Happy New Year.

R&KE funding opportunities

Research and Knowledge Exchange funding opportunities

Three Research and Knowledge Exchange flagship initiatives launch: apply now for either the Research Excellence Launchpad, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Catalyst Fund, or Bid Builder Programme.

1) Launchpad – deadline 11.59pm, 24 February 2023

Aims to launch staff into producing excellent research and knowledge exchange. Awards from this scheme are of up to £10,000 for up to 12 months.

2) Knowledge Exchange and Impact Catalyst Fund – deadline 11.59pm, 24 February 2023

Aims to support the development of existing research into a project that will deliver a step change in knowledge exchange and impact outcomes. It offers awards of up to £10,000 for up to 12 months for projects.

3) Bid Builder – deadline 12noon, 27 January 2023

The aim of the Bid Builder Programme is to provide structured, non-discipline specialist support to researchers in developing an external grant proposal.

ECR career development

Research and Knowledge Exchange Week graphic

1) Research week: save the date! 

The Research and Knowledge Exchange (RaKE) team are busy planning a Research and Knowledge Exchange Week for 17th – 21st April 2023. Watch this space for a full programme but you can expect a number of development workshops and networking activities to be taking place across the University that week.

2) Workshops and Training

RaKE regularly organise activities and workshops suitable for all active research and knowledge exchange staff, as well as those in supporting roles. Workshops are held in person or using Microsoft Teams. Upcoming workshops are detailed in “Key dates” below and for more info visit the RaKE SharePoint

3) Mentoring – *New initiative*

Research mentoring is an invaluable resource as we navigate our careers. If you don’t already have a mentor, contact your Research Mentoring Lead for your school to sign up. Visit the RaKE SharePoint for info on your Research Mentoring Lead

We are also looking to set up research mentoring trios across the university for peer-to-peer mentoring. Please get in touch with me if you would like to be part of this new scheme.

Key dates

Research dictionary

I am putting together a list of acronyms and terms that you may hear being used at the UoB but aren’t sure what they mean – get in touch if there are any you would like more info on. This month’s featured one is:

The Concordat – this is an agreement between the University that sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders to enhance career support and development. See this video on our blog for more info.

The Future’s Bright Conference – registration now OPEN

We are excited to share the programme for the Future’s Bright conference
 
Colleagues can register via this link: https://unibrightonac.sharepoint.com/sites/home/SitePages/Future%E2%80%99s-Bright-Conference-for-Early-Career-Researchers-(ECRs)-%E2%80%93-booking-now-open.aspx 
This will be a good opportunity to meet colleagues from different schools face-to-face, participate in development activities and reflect together before the new academic year starts.
The conference will be a fantastic day to support and develop our Early Career Researchers. Please encourage colleagues in your Schools to book onto the conference. It’ll be great to see as many colleagues as possible coming along to the Conference to participate in networking opportunities.
The Future’s Bright Conference 2022
Wednesday 21 September 2022, 9.30am-4.30pm
Huxley Building, Moulsecoomb campus
 
The theme of this year’s conference is Partnerships and Collaboration so do attend to discover more about how working with partners can benefit your research. This informative, day-long programme of sessions will focus on personal, professional and career development and will be of interest to all ECRs, including those new to the university, those in the early stages of their research journey or established academics who are beginning to conduct research for the first time.
Sessions will include:
  • international partnerships and collaborations
  • writing a research grant proposal and working with partners
  • working with community partners
  • working in partnership to deliver impact
  • knowledge exchange: what it is and how it works with non-academic partners
  • working collaboratively to produce research outputs
  • the role of partnerships and collaboration in addressing global challenges.

There will also be a chance to put forward questions for discussion by a panel of colleagues in senior academic and management roles and network with other researchers across the university, as well as hear inspiring stories about Early Career Researcher successes.

I hope to see you there!
Cover for Future's Bright event with colourful balloon motif

Podcasting workshop

In collaboration with the Cities, Injustice and Resistance Research and Enterprise Group, the ECR Network organised a workshop for ECRs, bringing together four academic experts in podcasting – Lance Dann, Omar Phoenix Khan, Anne Korfmacher and Dario Llinares – who shared their experiences of producing and publishing podcasts, discussed the benefits and challenges of podcasting as a means of generating and disseminating impactful research. A number of colleagues asked for recording of this workshop, here it is:

https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/ed1228b8-4183-4b1f-9987-28ba8b4e6dbb

Presenters: Lance Dann, Anne Korfmacher, Dario Llinares and Omar Phoenix Khan (online) 10 November 2021.

Find out more about our presenters and their topics:

Podcast studies and academic podcasting: Questions of practice and theory

Dr Dario Llinares, Principal Lecturer in Contemporary Screen Media at University of Brighton 

Dario has been podcasting since 2015 as the co-founder and co-host of the cinematologists podcast. Since then, his academic research and identity has been transformed through his engagement with the medium, as both a theorist and practitioner. In 2018, he published Podcasting New Aural Cultures and Digital Media (with Neil Fox and Richard Berry) and went on to found New Aural Cultures podcast, both of which are foundational outputs in the discipline of Podcast Studies. He is currently working on a new edited collection entitled Podcast Studies: Practice into Theory/ Theory into Practice with Professor Beckstead, with whom he now co-hosts The Podcast Studies Podcast (rebranded from New Aural Cultures). Dario will discuss some of the disciplinary strands and issues that underpin Podcast Studies.

Researching Podcasts: Fan Podcasts & How to Engage your Audience

Anne Korfmacher, PhD Researcher at the University of Cologne

Anne is a podcast scholar and founder of the Podcast PhDs, an international collective of ECRs researching podcasting from a range of disciplinary backgrounds. She is currently working on her PhD project on fan podcasts, specifically the genre of fan commentary podcasts in which fans discuss a variety of pop cultural media texts. She will talk about her research project studying podcast genre from a literary and cultural studies background and raise the question of what we can learn from these fans about how to engage different audience(s).

Benefits and challenges of podcasting for impactful research

Dr Lance Dann, Senior Lecturer Digital and Audio Media at University of Brighton 

Lance will be discussing the use of podcasting and audio as a method of public engagement, and a means to disseminate research and finding to non-academic audiences. He has worked for over 25 years researching, writing about and producing audio dramas and documentaries for the BBC, Audible, and international broadcasters. His current work is focused on the use of audio narratives to engage primary school children with pro-social and positive mental health messaging  – he will use this project, entitled The Rez, as a case study and will outline the benefits and challenges of podcasting as a means of testing and realising impactful research.

Academic podcasting: Conception, production and publication

Omar Phoenix Khan, Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Oxford 

Omar is a Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Oxford and the creator and host of the ‘Justice Focus’ Podcast. Structured as one-to-one interview with a criminologist or criminal justice practitioner, each episode of Justice Focus aims to be an accessible exploration of the interviewee’s work, passions and hopes for impact. Omar will be sharing his experience of creating, producing and publishing a podcast from scratch.

NEW ECR AMBASSADOR DR ROXANA CAVALCANTI INTRODUCES HERSELF

I am the new Early Career Researcher (ECR) Ambassador for the university. My research and teaching focus on examining questions around global and intersecting inequalities, conflict, violence and social justice activism. I joined the University of Brighton as a Lecturer in Criminology in September 2018, one year after completing my PhD at King’s College London (2017) and after taking my second career break for maternity leave. Prior to that I was a lecturer at the University of Westminster and a research fellow at the Kluge Centre, Library of Congress, Washington D.C., US.

Since then, I have been an active member of the ECR network, as well as other national and international networks and professional societies, including the Urban Violence Research Network, the Feminist Urban Violence Research Collective (which I co-founded), British Society of Criminology and European Group for the Study of Deviance and Social Control.

What made you interested in the role of ECR ambassador?

Like many of other academics and activists, I chose a career in education because I wanted to make the world a better place and I believe in the transformative and liberatory potential of education. I see research as inseparable from education, broadly speaking.

I grew up in Brazil where my mother was a student of Paulo Freire, so I’ve been inspired by their ideas and routine militancy, as well as the work of researchers and activists such as Angela Davis who remind us that “you have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time”. I wanted to become ECR Ambassador because I believe in the importance of research for transforming the world and I wanted to help other researchers as they navigate their journey.

Early career can be an exciting time for establishing new ideas and innovative contributions to knowledge, but it can also be a dauting and challenging time. I experienced first-hand the challenges of being an ECR in an increasingly competitive environment, while raising a new family, commuting for work and dealing with the hurdles of doing research abroad. So, I wanted to develop the ECR network to increase spaces of mutual support and dialogue, which can help us navigate the tricky terrain in which we are ECRs.

I hope the ECR network will offer possibilities to foster collaboration between ECRs and beyond. The network should be a space for cross-fertilization of ideas through interdisciplinarity and forms of knowledge exchange that can contribute to create the necessary tools to try to address the challenges we face.

What do you hope to achieve in the role?

I am the ECR Ambassador for a year, which is not a long time, but there is scope to work together with fellow ECRs to foster collegiality and mutual support. In my tenure, I hope to establish and maintain engaging, regular and diverse forums of communication, so as a network we can share opportunities and exchange ideas. I also hope to represent the views and concerns of colleagues, make concrete and realistic recommendations for strategic developments to support ECRs foster creativity and sustainable futures through research that addresses global challenges – not least, the deepening social inequalities post-pandemic, social and environmental crises.

I hope to help to connect my colleagues so that we work together for social justice, a fairer world, and embed our cutting-edge research in our pedagogical practices so that our students, local, national and international communities all benefit from our work.

How will you be finding out about what the ECR community will find helpful?

As a network, we are setting up and participating in a series of recurrent and one-off collaborative activities. I will be working with ECR representatives from each school to ensure that ECRs have a voice within the university. Over the coming year, I will continue to meet ECRs in person and I am keen to hear about what they would find most helpful, either directly or through their representatives. For example, this could be related to training needs, funding or making connections. As a network, we will send regular email updates to ECRs and we also have an MS Teams group where we will hold online meetings and events. I encourage colleagues to get involved with the ECR network, as it offers the possibility to create valuable connections with other colleagues, PGRs, academics and senior staff.

Contact Dr Roxana Cavalcanti by email at: r.p.cavalcanti@brighton.ac.uk

 

 

 

 

 

Early Career Researcher Development month

Early Career Researchers (ECRs) can find out more about the support on offer by reserving a place on tailored workshops during the ECR Development Month.

​This November, the ECR Ambassador and the Research, Enterprise and Social Partnerships team are running a series of activities and workshops to help ECRs develop their research and learn more about the support on offer to them at the University. Workshops will be held on Microsoft Teams and aim to support career development through support and advice, funding guidance and a focus on managing time in difficult circumstances.

Research and Enterprise Induction Event

6 November, 2-3.30pm

Promotion workshop (Senior Lecturer to Principal Lecturer)

11 November, 12-1.30pm

Promotion workshop (Senior Research Fellow to Principal Research Fellow)

18 November, 2-3.30pm

Celebrating ECR Success and University of Brighton funding opportunities

19 November, 10-11am

Making the most of the mentoring relationship

23  November, 1-2.30pm

How to manage your research

2 December, 1-2pm

How to book and further information

To reserve your place, email ResearcherDevelopment@brighton.ac.uk with the relevant workshop titles in the subject line.

For more information about these workshops, visit the ECR Network page online.

For further information on development opportunities, view the Research and Enterprise Development Programme online.

ECR Focus Groups

Over the coming few weeks the University will be running four ECR focus groups.  These sessions are an opportunity for you to tell us about your experiences at the University of Brighton as well as how the University can support you during your time here.  Sessions are designed to stimulate discussion around the areas of concerns arising from the results of the Careers in Research Online Survey 2019 (CROS). This survey gathers the anonymous views of research staff in UK higher education institutions about their experiences, career aspirations and career development. The survey takes place every two years and is launched by Vitae.

Sessions will also provide an introduction and overview to the revised Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, which was released in September 2019. This Concordat sets out the principles to create the very best culture for researchers to thrive. The University of Brighton is committed to implementing the Concordat’s principles and has an action plan that it reviews regularly. These sessions will provide an opportunity for you to contribute to developing our action plan for the future.

These sessions will take place on the 5th and 6th November 2019, there will be a session at each campus (Moulsecoomb, Falmer, City Campus and Eastbourne). To book please follow the link below:

5 November 2019 Mithras House G3 11.30am-13.30pm – Moulsecoomb Campus

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/early-career-researchers-focus-group-session-moulsecoomb-campus-tickets-76752014341

5 November 2019 Watson Building 101 14.30pm-16.30pm – Falmer Campus

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/early-career-researchers-focus-group-session-falmer-campus-tickets-76749520883

6 November 2019 Pavilion Parade 101 9.30am-11.30am – City Campus 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/early-career-researchers-focus-group-city-campus-tickets-76753719441 

6 November 2019 Hillbrow 116 13.30pm-15.30pm – Eastbourne Campus 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/early-career-researchers-focus-group-session-eastbourne-campus-tickets-76754957143

Please note these sessions are primarily suitable for Early Career Researchers however all academic staff are welcome.  

Facilitators: Annie Ockelford (ECR Ambassador) and Ingrid Pugh (Assistant Director of Research Services)

For Information:

https://www.vitae.ac.uk/

https://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy/concordat

https://www.vitae.ac.uk/impact-and-evaluation

 

Any queries please send an email to A.Waterson@brighton.ac.uk

Knowledge Exchange Framework Steering Group – ECR Representative wanted!!!

We are looking for a volunteer from the ECR community to sit on a new Steering Group related to the Knowledge Exchange Framework.  This is a new framework, similar to REF and TEF  that we, as an institution will be submitting an application to.  It has two parts, a metrics part that presents our performance in different categories of knowledge exchange, and a Concordat that aims to encourage HEIs to improve KE practice. The KEF presents an opportunity to raise the profile of our knowledge exchange activity internally and externally, to optimise engagement and support for KE, noting the broad interpretation of KE that includes public engagement, student enterprise and commercialisation.  With institutional sign-up likely to be required in autumn 2019, the university is creating a new steering group to guide our KEF submission.  The members of the committee with be drawn from across the university and we are asking for a volunteer from the ECR community to sit on this group.  The ECR should have an interest and aptitude for KE with activities including:

  • Research partnerships including non-HEI partners
  • Working with business via KTP/contract research/consultancy
  • Working with public & third sector via contract research/consultancy
  • CPD and student entrepreneurship
  • Local growth and regeneration
  • IP and commercialisation (including spin outs and licencing)
  • Public and community engagement

It is proposed that the group meets at least three times per year with the first meeting early in the 19/20 academic year.   If you are intereted then please drop me (a.ockelford@brighton.ac.uk) or Shona Campbell ( S.E.Campbell@brighton.ac.uk) an email and we can tell you more!

Book your place at the Research and Enterprise Conference

 
Secure your place at the biennial conference, to be held in Huxley Building, Moulsecoomb, on Friday 5 July.
The event will take place in Huxley 300 and will run from 9am. Refreshments will be provided. 
 
We will have two external keynote speakers for the day: 
Dr Lisa Mooney, Ravensbourne University
 
There will be the opportunity to find out more about our research and enterprise, impact, culture and environment as well as REF, KEF and TEF. 
 
The full programme is available to review here​.
 
Spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis and must be booked before Friday 28 June.