Early Career Researchers’ Colloquium 2025
Cardiff Metropolitan University
School of Management, Llandaff Campus
3rd July 12pm – 4th July 2pm
The Learned Society of Wales’ third annual Colloquium for Early Career Researchers took place over two days at Cardiff Metropolitan University on the 3 & 4 July 2025.
The ECR Colloquium is a pan-Wales, interdisciplinary event, aimed not only at those in academia but also those working in the private, public and third sectors too. The third annual Colloquium brought together researchers from across Wales to present their research to a unique network of researchers, stakeholders and the Fellowship of the Learned Society of Wales.
Programme
The Colloquium programme was brought together by an organising committee, made up largely of early career researchers, and supported by two LSW Fellows who work with our researcher development team through the LSW Advisory Group for Researcher Development. The active role of ECRs in the Colloquium ensures the event reflects the experience, concerns and needs of all the people who attend.
The Colloquium began with a keynote speech from LSW Fellow, Dr Emma Yhnell. Her talk, ‘Influence, authenticity, and doing things differently’, explored ways of challenging ways of thinking and breaking boundaries within academia and beyond. Other highlights of the event include a series of three-minute research flash-talks, workshops, a poster competition, and a networking lunch with LSW Fellows.
We’re also grateful to our key stakeholders for running engaging Workshops sessions throughout the event covering the following topics:
Flash Talks
A programme of three-minute flash talks was delivered throughout the day on a wide range of disciplines and specialisms, such as: Dr Mike Wells (Cardiff Metropolitan University) presented on ‘Supporting the inclusion of refugees in a Nation of Sanctuary’, Dr Luned Badder (Cardiff University) on ‘Using Viruses to deliver chemotherapy directly to pancreatic cancer cells’, Dr Shubha Sreenivas and Elizabeth Broom (Wrexham University) on ‘Neuropsychological assessments: How inclusive are they?’ and LSW Research Workshop Grant awardee Dr Nina Jones, Cardiff Metropolitan University presented on ‘Welcome to Wrexham: What happens when Hollywood comes to town?’
You can read the full programme of flash talks in our Colloquium Programme.
Research Poster Competition
Our Research Poster Exhibition encouraged researchers to present their research in a visual format to a general audience. Research poster presenters were asked to ensure their posters were visually appealing with a coherent layout and that the content was understandable to a non-specialist audience.
The Judges of the Research Poster competition were Professor Gary Beauchamp FLSW (Cardiff Metropolitan University), Professor Simon Hands FLSW (Liverpool University), Tia-Kate Davidson (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Steffan James (Cardiff University). Prizes were awarded to:
Acknowledgements
The Learned Society of Wales would like to thank everyone who helped make the Colloquium a success, including Cardiff Metropolitan University and its staff, the Colloquium Committee and Advisory Group for Researcher Development members, and all who attended the event and presented during the day.
Early-Career Researchers’ Colloquium 2025
Cardiff Metropolitan University
School of Management, Llandaff Campus
3rd July 12pm – 4th July 2pm
Are you an Early Career Researcher looking to expand your networks, discover new collaboration opportunities, and grow your research profile?
Join the Learned Society of Wales for the 3rd Annual Early-Career Researchers Network Colloquium, where you’ll have the chance to:
The Colloquium programme is being co-developed by our interdisciplinary Advisory Group for Researcher Development, who will help to make sure that the programme meets the professional development needs of researchers in Wales. We’re delighted to partner with Cardiff Metropolitan University to host this year’s ECR Colloquium in Cardiff.
Researchers working within and outside of academia are encouraged to attend. We also welcome mid-careers to the Colloquium.
Travel Bursaries and Accommodation
The Colloquium will take place over two half-days. Travel bursaries and on-site accommodation are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given based on need, travel distance, and to presenters. Information for General Registrants on how to apply for a travel and accommodation support is available on our registration page.
Dates for your Diary
Dr Emma Yhnell, Reader & Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, College of Biomedical & Life Sciences, Cardiff University
Dr Emma Yhnell’s keynote talk will reflect on her unique career journey, from researcher to lecturer and associate dean. She can also be found presenting BBC radio shows, writing popular science books and inviting school children to have a go at some do-it-yourself blancmange brain surgery.
Emma will explore her international work in equity, diversity and inclusion, science communication and media communication. She will also draw upon her passion for enabling people to be authentically themselves in their professional roles, whether that is through teaching, research, science communication, or even leaving academia entirely. She will reflect on her transition from biochemistry to neuroscience, before moving her pre-clinical research to the Huntington’s disease clinic, as well as her pride at becoming a lecturer on a teaching and scholarship focused pathway. Emma’s passion to make science more accessible, inclusive and fun for diverse audiences is fundamental to her work and at the heart of everything she does
So come along to listen, learn and challenge your own thinking about how you can use and improve your skills to be authentically you while pushing for meaningful change and breaking your own boundaries within academia and beyond.
Biography: Dr Emma Yhnell is a passionate and multi award-winning educator and science communicator. She won the Society for Neuroscience Science Educator Award in 2024 and a National Teaching Fellowship in 2023, and is currently Associate Dean of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and a Reader in Neuroscience at Cardiff University.
Emma obtained a BSc degree in Biochemistry before completing a PhD in Huntington’s disease. She then began an independent research fellowship to translate her findings on cognitive training into the patient clinic. Emma’s clinical research inspired her and demonstrated the need to provide accessible and engaging information to diverse public audiences.
Emma now teaches the next generation of budding scientists as a teaching and scholarship focused academic. She delivers engaging and interactive sessions with passion and infectious enthusiasm. She has built a reputation for untangling the academically technical and translating it into entertaining, relevant and engaging content. As a first generation academic with expertise in equity, diversity and inclusion, and a passion and desire to embrace change, Emma is changing the typical image of academia by making science more open, honest and fun.
Our Colloquia are designed with the needs of researchers in Wales in mind. Read what past attendees and LSW Fellows had to say about our 2023 Colloquium at Swansea University and our 2024 Colloquium at Bangor University.
LSW Fellows have an important role in sharing their expertise at the sessions offered at the event and helping create an inclusive environment for ECRs to develop their careers.
Wrexham University, Business School
Attending the Colloquium was incredibly beneficial for my professional development. I had the opportunity to present my research, receive valuable feedback, and engage in thought-provoking discussions. The event was also a fantastic networking platform, allowing me to connect with early-career researchers from various universities. Hearing about their challenges and strategies for overcoming them was insightful, and I even had the chance to share my own experiences. After networking, I consulted some peers about career progression and potential opportunities, which was truly valuable. Overall, the Colloquium provided a supportive environment for learning, collaboration, and professional growth.
University of Liverpool, School of Physical Sciences Faculty of Science and Engineering
The Colloquium is a welcoming and supportive multi-disciplinary forum for Wales-based ECRs, where they can network with both peers and mentors as they chart their course through the intricate, often bewildering process of career building. I’m fortunate to sit on LSW’s Advisory Group for Researcher Development: in past Colloquia I’ve been involved with workshop events focussed on peer review and bid writing, and each time have been struck both by the diversity of outlooks and experiences people shared, and by the passion expressed for their particular research topic or field. It’s also a great way of getting out of the lab or library to learn more about issues affecting us all, firmly within a Welsh context. It’s a powerful cocktail, and I’d recommend it to anyone.
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Participating in, and facilitating the delivery of LSW ECR Colloquiums has been instrumental to my development as a researcher in Wales. From delivering workshops on entrepreneurial thinking to engaging in community-focused discussions, the event has consistently fostered connection, confidence, and collaboration across disciplines. It provides a rare space where academic inquiry meets real-world relevance, and where emerging researchers are empowered to explore diverse, impact-led pathways. As an ambassador and contributor, I’ve found it invaluable for building networks, shaping ideas, and championing research that matters — especially for those committed to ethical, sustainable, and community-anchored scholarship.
Bangor University, Professor of Medieval Literature
I was delighted when the decision to host the 2024 Colloquium at Bangor University was taken; in the event, with over 100 participants and a very enthusiastic and supportive environment for all being provided in the collaboration between LSW and local staff, I felt the ECRs were truly encouraged to flourish, network, and build a great research environment for Wales.
Cardiff University, DECIPHer
I have attended the two previous colloquia, presenting a poster in Swansea (2023) and doing a flash talk in Bangor (2024). I would wholeheartedly recommend that ECRs across Wales get involved in the event and take the opportunity to showcase their work and network with other researchers at a similar career stage. I found it a really supportive and friendly environment for developing confidence around presenting and it has opened doors to other opportunities, such as becoming a member of the advisory group for researcher development at the Learned Society for Wales and joining the organising committee for the colloquium in 2025.
Professor (Emeritus), Swansea University
The LSW’s Early Career Network has provided a unique opportunity to support the development of researchers in Wales via regular meetings with Fellows of the Learned Society and the professional support staff of the Society. The network has been highly successful and over the last two years has organised several in-face events including annual meetings. The first of these was held in Swansea in 2023 and last year it was hosted in Bangor University. The latter event had over 100 attendees from across Wales and attracted ECRs from a range of disciplines from STEMM through to humanities. These conferences are driven by the needs and aspirations of ECRs with the assistance of Fellows and LSW staff. The decision of the Society to fund (on a competitive basis) travel and subsistence to facilitate the attendance of ECRs has been most welcome especially in the difficult financial situation currently facing Welsh HE institutions where travel budgets have been withdrawn. It has been most rewarding to assist in the development of this strategy of the LSW.
Swansea University, School of Medicine
I had a really positive experience sharing my LSW-funded research as a flash talk at the 2023 ECR Colloquium. It gave me the opportunity to think about how I communicate my research findings in a new and more engaging format. The live feedback was also valuable.
The following year, I went on to become an ambassador and supported the Colloquium planning and delivered a workshop at the 2024 Colloquium. This was rewarding and helped develop my confidence as a researcher and inspired me to join my university ECR committee, where I have been able to support other researchers to learn new skills and progress their careers.
A dedicated team of researchers have worked with us to support the planning and delivery of the ECR Colloquium 2025. Their expertise ensures the Colloquium is designed to reflect the needs and priorities of researchers working in Wales.
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Sport Management
Alec is a lecturer in Sport Management at Cardiff Metropolitan University. His research broadly concerns historical examinations at the intersection of place, space, and identity through community sport and recreation. In addition to his research, he maintains a commitment to developing early career and undergraduate researchers and the environment in which they step into. Through roles as the head of the Undergraduate Dissertation Prize (Sport in History/British Society for Sport History), Early Career Research Community Lead for the Centre for Sports Coaching, Management, & Culture (Cardiff Met), and ECR workshop facilitator (North American Society for Sport History) he actively supports individual growth and advocates for structural adjustments to best support nascent researchers.
Swansea University, Faculty of Science and Engineering
Andrew has over 35 years in HE in Wales and has seen the constant difficulties in attracting and retaining talented post-docs in Wales. Andrew has first-hand knowledge of this from training large numbers of research students and post-docs over his career. A lack of career progression and poor success rates in attracting UKRI funding in Wales are key issues. Our loss of EU funds will severely affect all the research-driven universities in Wales at both research student and postdoctoral levels. As part of the Advisory Group, Andrew wants to look at how Wales and the Learned Society can help address these issues that will become critical in the next few years.
Cardiff University, DECIPHer
Caitlyn is a Research Associate at Cardiff University, working in DECIPHer, a public health research centre, and the Wolfson Centre for Young People’s Mental Health. Her research interests include young people’s mental health and wellbeing, health inequalities and school transition. She currently runs a mentoring group for PhD students within her research centre and is an active member of the Cardiff University Empower gender equality network and the British Academy early career network. As a member of the Advisory Group, Caitlyn is keen to establish pathways for ECRs from different universities to come together and develop research ideas, write funding bids, share expertise and explore interdisciplinary collaboration.
Public Health Wales
Catherine is a Principal Public Health Researcher at Public Health Wales. Catherine’s research considers how to prevent and protect both vulnerable individuals and whole populations from harm, and to support positive behaviour change to effectively promote and improve health and well-being across the life-course, whilst also considering the policy landscape. She is currently the project lead for Time to Talk Public Health, a nationally representative population panel in Wales, which regularly surveys members of the public to understand their attitudes, opinions, emotions and interests on a range of public health topics to inform policy and practice.
Cardiff University, School of Social Sciences
Esther is a lecturer in the Sociology of Education at Cardiff University’s School of Social Science with a particular interest in youth activism, intergenerational justice, sustainability and civic engagement. Esther is delighted to be joining the Advisory Group at a pivotal time for research in Wales, and bring with her experience of campaigning for job security and enhanced conditions for early career researchers. Esther hopes to contribute to the excellent work that LSW has been doing to develop and enhance inclusive practices and the wider move towards not just accommodating but celebrating diversity in all of its forms.
Swansea University, HRC School of Law
Gareth is a Lecturer in Law at Swansea University where he specialises in constitutional law and legal systems. He holds a PhD in Law from Aberystwyth University and is a member of the Education and Training Working Group for the Law Council of Wales. Gareth is committed to building a supportive environment for researchers in Wales and in 2024 he was appointed to the LSW Advisory Group for Research Development. More recently, he also joined the Organising Committee for the LSW ECR Colloquium 2025. As a member of the Colloquium Committee, Gareth hopes to contribute to the excellent work of the LSW in developing and enhancing the opportunities available to early career researchers in Wales.
Cardiff Metropolitan University, School of Management
Natasha is an early career researcher and associate tutor at Cardiff Metropolitan University, her research focuses on sustainable behaviours and understanding, specifically for micro, small enterprises operating in the Welsh Construction Industry. Key areas of research interest include the circular economy, innovation and construction supply chain management. Natasha is also heavily involved in the doctoral community, chairing the doctoral research group at the university, which involves running and co-ordinating community events specifically for doctoral students. In her teaching role at the university, she enjoys an innovative and creative approach, whilst enhancing the student experience
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Centre for Speech Hearing and Communication Research
I am a qualified Speech and Language Therapist with almost 10 years clinical experience. I am an NIHR and Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists advocate for clinical academic careers.
My research involves a wide range of stakeholders, including children, families, health and care professionals, charities and policy makers. My current work focuses on the UK-wide implementation of a core outcomes set for child speech sound disorder in NHS services to collect real world clinical data. I am also exploring risk factors for speech sound development among children born before 32 weeks' gestation.
Cardiff Metropolitan University, School of Business
Sam is a lecturer in Business at Cardiff Metropolitan University. He completed his PhD at Cardiff Business School where he used a world-systems analysis - looking at the links between culture, geography and history - to explain the economic peripherality of some European countries such as Wales. His work has appeared in the Morning Star newspaper, in books such as "The Welsh Way" and "Liberated Texts", and online. His work has also won early career awards with the Regional Science Association and the Political Science Association. He has a book in progress with University Wales Press. His further interests include studying inequalities in world football, the European Union, and the link between economics and nationalism.
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Architectural Design and Technology
Shan Shan Hou is a Lecturer in Architectural Design and Technology at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She has extensive experience in teaching low-carbon architectural design at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as delivering professional training within the built environment sector. She is also committed to widening participation, having developed outreach programmes for school pupils from underrepresented backgrounds to raise awareness of climate change and energy conservation in the home. Her research expertise includes low-carbon architectural technologies, building energy modelling, and whole-house, systems-based retrofit strategies.
Wrexham University, Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Shubha is a Senior Lecturer in the department and the Programme Leader for MSc Psychology Conversion programme at Wrexham University. Shubha completed her PhD at Bangor University, and her experimental research focused on self-attribution of facial appearance as an early predictor of improvement in depressive mood state which aligns with her previous clinical research involvements focused on the behavioural and neural activities relating to mood disorders. Shubha is a Chartered member and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society as well as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
School of Physical Sciences, University of Liverpool
Simon has experience in theoretical areas of science, where a key skill is organising thoughts, ideas and workload to produce independent (perhaps even single-author) publications. Sometimes it’s hard to recognise longer-term research priorities, especially in a world apparently dominated by REF, bibliometrics, ever-increasing teaching loads, and social media. Simon has also worked closely with younger experimental colleagues and understands all too well the huge difficulties involved in equipping a research laboratory. Simon wants to be able to guide ECRs to make the optimal choices and decisions to advance their careers. The toughest transition any ECR has to overcome, Simon recognises, is acquiring research independence, indicated by both access to resources and publication profile.
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Sophie Mak-Schram works across artistic and art historical research. They completed a Marie Skłodowska-Curie-funded PhD about radical forms of learning in practices we might recognise as "art" as part of a project about socially engaged practices (2021-2024).
Sophie’s research is invested in the ethics of collaborating and the practices of thinking 'nearby' (in reference to Trinh Minh Ha's 'speaking nearby'), and draws on decolonial, collective and artistic practices. Currently, Sophie is interested in re-imagining institutions and new methodologies for archives and museum collections. Between 2024-2025, Sophie was Curriculum Redefined Teaching Excellence Lecturer of Art Pedagogies at the University of Leeds, Research Associate at CCA Derry-Londonderry, and Perspective(s) artist at Amgueddfa Cymru.
Cardiff University, Cardiff Business School
Steffan is a researcher in sustainable supply chain management who transitioned into academia following a career as an engineer in the manufacturing industry. Passionate about sustainability, Steffan is dedicated to embedding it at the heart of research and innovation. As a member of the Advisory Group Steffan is committed to fostering collaboration across universities and the public and private sectors, drawing on his experience in industry and academia. Steffan views Wales as an ideal testbed for new ideas and technologies and believes early and mid-career researchers should have opportunities to bring their ideas to life.
Cardiff Metropolitan University, School of Sport and Health Sciences
Tia is a lecturer in Sports Performance Analysis at Cardiff Metropolitan University and a PhD researcher at the University of Hull, where her work focuses on the use of wearable technology in sport. Passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration, Tia is keen to connect with fellow early-career researchers and contribute to a supportive academic environment. Her motivation to join the Learned Society of Wales community stems from a desire to engage with diverse approaches to research communication, and help foster an inclusive space where emerging scholars can share their work and build meaningful professional networks.
Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cybersecurity
Vibhushinie is a Lecturer in Cybersecurity and serves as the Programme Director for the BSc Computer Security program at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She is a CyberFirst Ambassador, a STEM Ambassador, and a Mentor, as well as the Faculty Advisor for the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) student chapter at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Additionally, she holds the position of Early Careers Liaison at the British Computer Society (BCS) South Wales Branch and leads the Early Careers chapter at the School of Technologies, Cardiff Metropolitan University. Dr. Bentotahewa is actively involved in research related to data protection, personal privacy, data protection regulations, and policy development. She also participates in outreach activities aimed at supporting and encouraging females pursuing studies in the STEM field.
Aberystwyth University, Department of Computer Science
Yasir is a Lecturer in Computer Science and co-convener of the Early Career Researcher Network at Aberystwyth University. In both roles, he has witnessed the challenges researchers encounter and understands their specific needs. As a member of the Advisory Group, Yasir is keen to address the challenges international researchers face in Wales, especially in navigating the research landscape of Wales and the UK. He aims to help create opportunities for researchers to connect, collaborate, and access the support they need to make meaningful contributions to society.
Cardiff University, School of Computer Science and Informatics
Yipeng is a Senior Lecturer and Deputy Director of Research at the School of Computer Science and Informatics, Cardiff University. He leads the Computer Vision Research Group, focusing on artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision. His research encompasses deep learning interpretability, creative AI, and wearable technologies for motion analysis. Dr. Qin has secured funding from organizations such as EPSRC, the Royal Society, and Airbus, and actively promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and inclusivity in research. He received his Ph.D. from the National Centre for Computer Animation, Bournemouth University and a B.Eng. from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
Call for Abstracts
CLOSED
We are now inviting abstract submissions for 3-minute Flash Talks and Research Posters.
We are inviting proposals that align with one of the Seven Well-being Goals of the Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015:
We also encourage proposals that have an international scope to apply. If your research is being conducted outside Wales, you can refer to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals instead.
Research posters should be size A0 (84.1m x 118.9 cm) and use a portrait layout.
We encourage applicants to creatively present their research for an interdisciplinary or non-specialist audience.
Submission Guidelines
Learned Society of Wales, incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered Charity Number 1168622.
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