Transcript UKRSA and Personal experiences of establishing researcher networks - Anastasia Callaghan [PPTX 2.38MB]

Personal Experiences & Career Benefits
of Initiating & Participating
in Researcher Networks
Dr Anastasia Callaghan
Reader, University of Portsmouth
UKRSA SE Regional Representative
Researcher Networks
Who are researchers?
• higher education employees who actively engage in the delivery and direction
of research projects,
• not usually on tenured positions as academic staff
• usually includes research technicians, postdoctoral associates and fellows
What is a researcher network?
Research Staff
Society
Early Career
Researchers
Association
Staff
representatives
Postdoc
Researchers
Group
Committee
Forum
Researcher Networks
Who are researchers?
• higher education employees who actively engage in the delivery and direction
of research projects,
• not usually on tenured positions as academic staff
• usually includes research technicians, postdoctoral associates and fellows
What is a researcher network?
Research Staff
Society
Early Career
Researchers
Association
Staff
representatives
Postdoc
Researchers
Group
Committee
Forum
“group of research staff working together to represent the views and experiences of
their constituents on a range of issues and/or to organise events.” UKRSA
Personal Experiences
• To support me in setting up the RSF – advice from UKRSA
Personal Experiences
• To support me in setting up the RSF – advice from UKRSA
• Led to me becoming the South East Rep for UKRSA
- Part of the Vitae research staff advisory group
- Vitae RDF Lens Working group
- transitioning to independence
- HR Excellence Panel – represent UKRSA
- Support UKRSA projects
- what researchers do next?
- Parental leave project
- Research Council/funder engagement
- Career portfolios
• Personal Benefits
- Institutional and external exposure
- Greater awareness & understanding of HE landscape & current agendas
- Skills development
Supporting Achievement of Career Goals
• In addition to UKRSA roles:
• Reader
• Included in the REF
• Active research group
- Fellow, PostDocs, PhD students, MRes & MPhil students
- significant grant income
- basic and translational research
- Research council and industry funded
• Member of the BBSRC’s Pool of Experts
- grant assessments for responsive mode and iCASE studentships
• Member of BBSRC Committee D
• Unusual?
• Statistics show – UKRSA committee members have secured their chosen jobs in
greater numbers than PostDocs in general
Get involved, enhance your skills, secure a fulfilling and rewarding career
Set up an RSA/Network
Local
RSA
South
East
RSA
Local
RSAs
Local
RSA
Regional
Reps
South
East
RSA
Local
RSAs
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RSA
Regional
Reps
South
East
RSA
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RSAs
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RSA
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RSA
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RSAs
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RSAs
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RSA
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RSAs
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RSAs
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Regional
Reps
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South
East
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RSA
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RSAs
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RSA
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RSA
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RSA
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RSAs
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RSAs
Local
RSA
Scotland
& NI RSA
North
West
RSA
Yorkshire
& North
East RSA
Local
RSAs
Local
RSAs
East of
England
RSA
Midlands
RSA
Local
RSAs
Local
RSAs
South
West &
Wales
RSA
London
RSA
Regional
Reps
South
East
Local
RSAs
RSA
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Scotland
& NI RSA
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West
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Yorkshire
& North
East RSA
Regional
Reps
Regional
Reps
Local
RSAs
Regional
Reps
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RSAs
East of
Regional England
Reps
RSA
Midlands
Regional
RSA
Reps
Local
RSAs
Regional
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Regional
South Reps
Local
RSAs
West &
Wales
RSA
London
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Regional
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East
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RSAs
RSA
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RSAs
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RSA
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Scotland
& NI RSA
North
West
RSA
Yorkshire
& North
East RSA
Regional
Reps
Regional
Reps
Local
RSAs
Regional
Reps
Local
RSAs
Vitae Committee
Reps
Liaison
East of
Regional England
Reps
RSA
Midlands
Regional
RSA
Reps
Web /
Co-Chairs
Secretary
Local
RSAs
Regional
Reps
Regional
South Reps
Local
RSAs
West &
Wales
RSA
London
RSA
Regional
Reps
South
East
Local
RSAs
RSA
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RSAs
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RSAs
Local
RSA
Local
RSA
Something to think about?
• What do you feel are the priority aims for a Sussex Postdoc Network?
• What format could Sussex’s Researcher Postdoc take?
• How would you like it to run?
• Who’s support do you have?
• Who’s support do you need?
Clear evidence that Researcher Networks benefit the individuals involved
as well as the institution and research culture
What’s stopping you?
Thanks for listening
Any questions?