Early-Career Network (ECN) career development day

Tuesday 14 Jun 2022, 11:30 → 18:00 Europe/London

University of Newcastle Students' Union

This inaugural Early-Career Network (ECN) event, made possible with generous sponsorship from Cambridge University Press, is the first of a series that will provide support for all colleagues working at this level. The events will focus on career planning, research and publication, demystifying the REF, impact and knowledge exchange, and academic mentoring.

BISA members can take advantage of this one-day mini conference as part of their annual membership fee. Non-members are welcome to attend for a fee of £45pp, which includes refreshments and lunch. We recommend reading our ‘Become a member’ information to see if you could save money on this and future BISA events by becoming a member.

Draft programme

Session 1: 11:30 – 13:00 (Plenary session)

Surviving the academic job market

• Dr Natalie Jester (University of Gloucestershire) 
• Nilanjana Premaratna (Newcastle University)
• More speakers TBC

Practical advice and self-care for ECRs navigating the academic job market for the first time or seeking their first permanent position.

Lunch (13:00 – 13:45)

Session 2: 13:45 – 15:15 (Plenary session)

Publishing strategically

• Laura Shepherd (University of Sydney, LSE)

How to think strategically about publishing as a means of carving out a professional identity. The ‘how’, ‘what’, ‘where’, ‘when’, and ‘why’ of strategic publishing decisions.

Break (15:15 – 15:30)

Session 3: 15:30 – 16:30 (Parallel session – delegates will select a preferred option)

How to get a grant

• Simon Rushton (University of Sheffield)
• Nick Caddick (Anglia Ruskin University)
• Charlotte Heath-Kelly (University of Warwick)

This session will provide practical advice on how to get funding for the research you want to do. The speakers will discuss what funders are looking for, and how to make funding bids part of your strategic planning and career goals.

Or

Writers’ workshop 

• Clare Lynch (University of Cambridge, Doris and Bertie)

Advice from an expert on how to develop your writing.

Break (16:30 – 16:45)

Session 4: 16:45 – 17:45 (Parallel session – delegates will select a preferred option)

Making an impact 

• Ruth Blakeley (University of Sheffield)
• Danielle Beswick (University of Birmingham)
• Sophie Harman (Queen Mary, University of London)

This session will focus on the various kinds of impact we might aim to achieve with our work in international studies and will aim to demystify the REF impact ‘game’.

Or

Developing as a teacher 

• Ilan Baron (University of Durham)
• Naomi Head (University of Glasgow)

Aimed at new lecturers, this session will focus on ways to develop your teaching practice, considering ‘quick wins’ and ideas to implement immediately, along with longer term goals for developing your practice.

Following the event there will be a chance to network and socialise with other attendees.

Registration will close on 1 June 2022 or when all places are filled. Should the event be over-subscribed BISA members will be given priority for places.