The growing importance to Wales’ research culture of the LSW’s Early Career Researchers Network was on display at the network’s inaugural colloquium, held in Swansea on 6th July.

Over fifty ECRs attended a day of discussions, workshops, flash talks and networking, in the company of LSW Fellows and guests from Welsh Higher Education. They came from multiple disciplines and universities across Wales, including Aberystwyth, Wrexham, Bangor, Swansea, UWTSD, Cardiff Met and Cardiff.

The over-arching theme of creating a prosperous Wales, included a focus on how to build a successful research career.

“We were thrilled with how the colloquium went,” said Dr Barbara Ibinarriaga Soltero, the LSW’s Programme Officer, Researcher Development.

“It demonstrated how the LSW and the ECR Network can act as a convenor, bringing together ECRs and the Society’s Fellows in a productive way that contributes to making Wales a great place to be a researcher.

“We hope that the success of the event will encourage more ECRs to join the Network.”

A series of poster presentations and flash talks showcased some of the research that could play a part in delivering Wales’ economic, social and environmental prosperity.

These offered ECRs the opportunity to receive feedback from some of the LSW’s Fellows, part of the Society’s remit to develop strong networks and encourage collaboration across academic disciplines and sectors.

As well as allowing ECRs to show their work, the colloquium included workshop sessions on the peer review process, how to write grant applications, and collaborative leadership.

It also included a keynote speech from Professor Uzo Iwobi FLSW, who outlined the “pandemic of racism” we face and stressed the role of research in gathering the evidence and data needed to help create anti-racist societies.

The ECR Network is already planning future workshops and events. To be part of the Network, please sign up to our mailing list.