“King’s has a longstanding and continuing commitment to supporting researchers at every stage of their academic careers and so we are delighted to join the London cluster of the British Academy’s Early Career Researcher Network. This presents an exciting opportunity for our academics who are starting out in the humanities and social sciences subjects to expand their professional networks and engage more widely with like-minded researchers in the field, while advancing their own personal career development too.”
Professor Bashir M. Al-Hashimi CBE FRS, Vice President (Research & Innovation) at King’s
10 January 2024
King's joins the British Academy's Early Career Researcher Network
King’s has joined the latest cluster of universities that form part of the British Academy’s successful Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN).
The ECRN is an inclusive, UK-wide network for and led by Early Career Researchers (ECRs) in the humanities and social sciences, supporting them in their career ambitions by providing opportunities for skills development and networking.
Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Wolfson Foundation, an independent charity focused on research and education, the ECRN has welcomed 47 institutions participating across four clusters – in the Midlands, the South West of England, Scotland and now London. As of December 2023, the network has attracted 3,045 members.
King’s, through a new partnership between the University of Greenwich, Middlesex University and University College London, has today joined the network as London becomes the latest cluster.
The network has gone from strength to strength since inception, securing investment from the Wolfson Foundation to develop a programme beyond its initial scope and its expansion to London marks a significant chapter in the network’s development.
The British Academy has also announced that new purpose-built hybrid event spaces, set to launch to the public in 2024, will further enable opportunities for early career researchers to connect in the heart of London.
"It is a pleasure to witness the rise of the Academy's Early Career Researcher Network. Its popularity underscores the pressing need for initiatives addressing the unique challenges facing Early Career Researchers throughout the UK in a way that is led by them and centres their own voices and experiences. Following successes across our existing clusters in the South West, the Midlands, and Scotland, it is exciting to see the network expand to incorporate London. The ECRN is a vital initiative, and I eagerly anticipate following its development over the coming years, with the hope that it will evolve into a nationwide force—a joint effort crafted by and for the very researchers shaping the future."
Professor Simon Swain, the British Academy’s Vice-President for Higher Education Research and Policy
New London members are invited to attend a launch event for the London cluster on 28 February at the British Academy, bringing together ECRs from across the city to develop a programme of activities by ECRs, for ECRs. London members can also help shape the future of the ECRN by completing a survey where they will be able to indicate what opportunities they would like to see from the network.
Early career researchers based in London are invited to apply to join the ECRN via the British Academy’s registration form.
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Vice President (Research & Innovation)