How is the Learned Society of Wales supporting Researcher Development?
The Learned Society of Wales is Wales’ National Academy for Sciences, Arts and Humanities.
The primary aim of the Society is to ‘contribute to scientific, cultural, social, environmental and economic development within Wales and beyond’ (LSW Strategy 2023-2028; 3). One of the ways that the Society has committed to doing this is through growing research talent in Wales by ‘supporting an environment that makes Wales a great place to be a researcher, so we can help retain and grow our existing knowledge base and develop our future experts’ (LSW Strategy 2023-2028; 3).
The Researcher Development Programme has been established to deliver this commitment. The Programme offers a range of opportunities for researchers working in Wales to support them in developing their future research careers and on their journey to becoming the next generation of experts.
What role do researchers play in shaping the programme content?
To ensure that all our opportunities meet the needs of researchers working in Wales, the work of the Researcher Development Team is guided by the expertise of our Advisory Group for Researcher Development, which comprises a team of interdisciplinary researchers and Society Fellows from across Wales.
What is the Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network?
The ECR Network is an interdisciplinary network of researchers working across Wales who are in the early stages of their careers. The Network supports researchers to grow their research networks, engage in collaborative and interdisciplinary opportunities, receive training, and discover new ways of creating impact with research.
What opportunities are available to researchers through the ECR Network?
Networking
Our opportunities are designed to support researchers in developing their networks both within and outside academia. Examples include:
- Annual ECR Colloquium
- Meet and Greet’ events and Networking Lunches to meet with other researchers as well as Fellows of the LSW
- Collaborations with our partner organisations e.g. UK Young Academy, British Academy ECR Network, WISERD, Wales Concordat Network, WGSSS, Coleg Cymraeg
- Collaborations with other ECR Networks in Wales and beyond.
- Welsh language networking events, e.g. at the Eisteddfod
ECR Colloquium
The annual ECR Colloquium is an opportunity for Network members to meet in person, share their research and collaborate on new ideas. The Colloquium is fully funded by the Learned Society of Wales and travel bursaries are available for researchers travelling longer distances to attend. You can view what our ECRs have to say about the Colloquium here.
The ECR Colloquium is hosted in a different location in Wales each year, you can read more about our previous Colloquia here:
Training and Development
We offer free to attend training and development opportunities for researchers throughout the year. These training opportunities are delivered by Fellows of the Society, funding bodies, policymakers and other experts. Examples include:
- ECR Expert Forum on Disability in Wales
- Three-Minute Thesis Events and the National Eisteddfod (in patnership with Coleg Cymraeg)
- Pathways to Peace Sandbox Event (in partnership with Academi Heddwch)
- Research Impact and Engaging with Policymakers
- Publishing your Research
- Securing Funding
- Mentorship and Mentoring
- Media Training
- Researcher Wellbeing
Research Workshop Grants
Our Research Workshop Grants scheme provides seed funding for researchers in Wales to develop new networks or partnerships and new research agendas. The scheme invites applications across the following themes:
- Early Career Researchers (all disciplines)
- Wales studies
- Humanities, arts and social sciences
- Pathways to Peace (sponsored by Academi Heddwch)
Awards and Recognition
The Learned Society of Wales awards medals to researchers who excel in their fields. The Dillwyn Medals celebrate the contribution of early career researchers working in, or with a connection to Wales. There are currently three Dillwyn medals:
- Sciences, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine
- Humanities and Creative Arts
- Social Sciences, Education and Business
The Researcher Development team can answer any questions you might have about the nominations process.
Bursaries
We offer travel and accommodation bursaries to researchers travelling longer distances to attend our in-person events. Information on what can be provided and how you can claim for this support will be outlined in the guidance for the event.
In some cases, we are also able to offer support to researchers attending conferences and events. This funding, where available, will be advertised in our monthly newsletter.
Newsletter
By registering for the ECR Network you will receive a monthly newsletter filled with the latest opportunities for researchers working in Wales.
Network members are also encouraged to use the newsletter as a space to share their own news, from professional successes to calls for research participants or conference/events promotions. If you have news you’d like to share in our next newsletter, please email us at researcherdevelopment@lsw.wales.ac.uk.
Who can join the ECR Network?
The ECR Network is available to anyone working in Wales, or with a connection to Wales, who identifies as an ECR.
We cover all academic disciplines and institutions in Wales, as well as researchers in the third sector, government and industry. This network is aimed at anyone who is starting a career in research or starting to work with researchers.
Please note: Some of our opportunities may have additional criteria for applying. If this is the case, this will be stated in the event or opportunity guidance.
How do I join the ECR Network or keep up to date with the work of the Network?
Joining the Network is simple and free of charge. You can join by completing this registration form.
Once you have completed the registration form, you will be added to our mailing list and will begin receiving the latest opportunities through our monthly newsletter. This is the best way of keeping up to date with the opportunities we offer throughout the year.
We also advertise all our opportunities on our website.
How will personal data be handled?
All personal data is handled in accordance with the Learned Society of Wales’ Privacy Policy, which can be accessed here.
How can I contact the LSW Researcher Development team?
If you have any questions about the Researcher Development Programme or the Early Career Researchers Network, please get in touch with us at researcherdevelopment@lsw.wales.ac.uk.
Please also get in touch if you have any items for our newsletters, ideas for a blog post or ideas for future events/opportunities you would like to see us run.
