The work being done by early career researchers in Wales’ can play an important part in the future social and economic prosperity of the country. 

That will be the message to emerge from a Learned Society of Wales colloquium, ‘Contributing to a Prosperous Wales’, that will take place in Swansea on 6 July. 

The Colloquium, which is free to attend and of particular value for early career researchers, will explore a number of themes in a series of presentations and flash talks. It will bring together members of the LSW’s ECR Network, together with colleagues from the academic, policy, public, private, and third sectors.  

An important strand of the event will be a number of practical workshops offering advice on grant-writing, collaborative work and peer-reviewing. 

These workshops will provide additional opportunities for early career researchers to network, building links with colleagues from other universities and disciplines.

“The colloquium will look at what it means for a country to be prosperous, above and beyond purely economic terms,” said Dr Barbara Ibinarriaga Soltero, Programme Officer for Researcher Development at the LSW. 

“Presentations on agriculture, low male attainment in the Valleys and social prescribing, among other topics, will reveal the range of research being done in Wales’ universities by early career researchers. 

“All of the topics discussed will explore the notion of what it means for a country and individuals to prosper. 

“Part of that will be a focus on the researchers themselves. There will be the chance to network, share research and hear invaluable advice about the skills needed for a successful research career.”  The keynote speech, ‘Promoting anti-racism in organisations in Wales’, will be given by Professor Uzo Iwobi, CEO of Race Council Cymru.