Your development matters!

Issued every fortnight, this bulletin for Researchers at Bristol brings you the latest news about personal and career development opportunities, both from inside and outside of the University.

If you have any queries or feedback, please contact the Bristol Clear team, bristol-clear@bristol.ac.uk

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In this bulletin:

Career Support for Researchers at Bristol
Upcoming Bristol Clear opportunities
Announcements
Training from other providers

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Join Dr Pam Lock, (lecturer in the English Department at Bristol) for a full day Writers’ Retreat Thursday 20th July.

This Retreat gives participants the opportunity to devote a whole day to writing in a quiet, structured and supportive atmosphere.

Dr Pam Lock has run these retreats in person and online since 2014 and has received resoundingly positive feedback from these events.

There will be some short discussions on good writing practice and how to approach your writing as a professional task but the vast majority of the day will be devoted to writing without distraction. To this end, we encourage you not to use mobile phones, etc during the writing periods but laptops are of welcome for writing purposes.

We have a limit of 40 places, so please sign up ASAP to avoid disappointment!

Graduate students, postdocs, early (and not so early!) career scholars and interested parties—especially those with supervision or mentoring responsibilities—are all very welcome to join.

The talks will cover a variety of topics, including the skills needed to navigate post-PhD life in academia and careers beyond the university; they will also be joined by a representative from the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Director of the Leverhulme Trust, Professor Anna Vignoles.

The day will conclude with an ‘Engaged Research Masterclass’, which will appeal to students and academics at all stages of their careers. *Please note that registration for the ‘Engaged Research Masterclass’ is separate*.

For more information and booking details of both events, please click here. 

BBSRC Impact Acceleration Account Round 2- deadline for applications  5th July 
We are pleased to announce the second round of BBSRC Impact Acceleration Account call is now open. Two competitive awards will support projects which de-risk early translation, explore potential markets, advance the translation of research or engage relevant partners.  All pathway staff may apply.  Funding must be spent by 31^st March 2024. The application form and guidelines can be found on the SharePoint page.

If you have any questions regarding the call, please contact lucy.lilwall@bristol.ac.uk.

Invitation to attend a Research Culture Café- Wednesday 6th July 09:30-10:30
This 1 hour event aims to facilitate informal conversations around research culture, linking up different groups, and creating a space to share and learn from different initiatives and experiences.

To find out more information click here or contact pa-apvc-researchculture@bristol.ac.uk. 

Research Culture Uncovered Series Narrative CV bootcamp for Faculty of Science- in person
With increasing numbers of funders now opting to use a narrative CV (often described as a Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI)) as part of their research funding application process, Science colleagues may be interested in attending this CV bootcamp.  The narrative CV format aims to recognise diverse contributions, backgrounds, and careers, and discourages an overreliance on decontextualised metrics such as Journal Impact Factor.  At the University of Bristol, narrative CVs are also increasingly used for promotions to recognise diverse contributions to the University. Please note this is for Faculty of Science colleagues only.

Enrol on Develop

Places are now available on the following courses:

• 06 June 09:30-12:45- Being Strategic About Your Career as a Researcher
• 07 June 14:00-15:30- Intro to Research Funding [Arts & SSL)
• 12 June 12:00-13:00- Promotion and End of Contract Q&A
• 13 June 13:30-17:00- Strong Roots (in person) 
• 15 June 10:00-13:00- Interview Confidence
• 20 June 10:00-13:00- Developing Your Career Plan (in person)
• 21 June 13:30-17:00- Working Towards a Lectureship (STEM) in person waiting list
• 28 June 14:00-15:00- Intro to Writing a Grant Proposal (Arts + SSL) 
• 29 June 10:00-12:30-  How to Peer Review Manuscripts for Journals (in person)
• 18 July 11:00-13:00- Working Towards a Fellowship [Arts & SSL]

To book, please sign in to Develop now and search the catalogue for these course titles.

To book a place when registration has closed, please email sd-course@bristol.ac.uk

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Career Exploration Month- Events for Researchers
The Postdoctoral Development Centre from Queen’s University Belfast is delighted to invite any interested researcher to their free online Career Exploration Month weekly events in June 2023.

Events will include four panel discussions with former postdocs and PhDs from multiple disciplinary backgrounds now working in a range of roles and sectors. They will talk about their current role, how they managed the transition from academia, which skills and expertise they use from their research background, the advantages and challenges of their position, as well as advice for current postdocs and PhDs interested in similar roles.

List of events (details below and on individual event webpages):

• A chat with Dr Keziah Davison: Career opportunities beyond academia and how to navigate the transition (1st June, 12:00 to 13:00, online)
• Careers in Social Sciences and Policy – panel discussion (8th June, 12:30 to 41:00, online)
• Research careers in the Life Sciences – panel discussion (14th June, 11:00 to 12:30, online)
• Careers for Engineers – panel discussion (22^nd June, 11:30 to 14:00, online)
• Careers in the Arts and Humanities (28^th June, 11:30 to 12:30, online)

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Histories of Tobacco- part of the 2023 Research Culture event series
Reception Room, Wills Memorial Building Watershed 1, Canon’s Road Bristol, BS1 5TX
7th June- 2PM- 5PM
The use and trade of tobacco has a long and complex history, and is intertwined with a number of national and global social issues. The history of tobacco provides an insightful and though-provoking perspective on the past, but also a reminder that what is uncontroversial today may be viewed very differently in the future.

We are delighted to be joined by experts in the field including: Ian Tyrrell, Emeritus Professor of History at the University of New South Wales, who brings a wealth of expertise and academic insight into the sociopolitical history of tobacco use, advertising and subsequent health reforms, and Patricia Nez Henderson, a University of Yale alumna and indigenous North American scholar, who became the first indigenous President of the Society for Research on Nicotine or Tobacco.

Join us to learn about:

• Tobacco as a sacred product, and its colonization
• The social history of tobacco
• The (re)discovery of tobacco’s harms and subsequent education campaign

Register via Eventbrite

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Celebrating Technicians
Reception Room, Wills Memorial Building
11:30AM – 2PM

Technicians are a vital part of the research process, supporting and furthering innovative and ground-breaking research endeavours across all Schools and Faculties at the University of Bristol. This event focuses on the past, present and future of the role of technicians in academia.

We’ll be joined by Kelly Vere MBE, Higher Education Engagement Manager and Technician Commitment Programme Director, along with Andy Connelly, writer for Technician Journey, and Catrin Harris, Technical Community Research Fellow for the Talent Project, University of Nottingham. Hear three talks on the role of technicians contributing to the success of research projects across the U.K.’s research landscape.

Join us to;

• Celebrate the excellent work carried out by technicians in the research space
• Join the discussion with an expert panel on the importance of technical support in research
• Network with academic, technical and professional services colleagues and forge new links across the University

Catering (canapes, drinks and snacks) will be provided at this free event.

Register via Eventbrite

Celebrating Technicians MRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) 2023- Deadline 5th July 
The MRC IAA is now open for applications! Applicants can now apply for funding that aims to support the translation of scientific discoveries in Bristol’s portfolio intervention with broad, lasting impact on human health.

Translational research is the application of fundamental research to create innovations in the diagnosis, treatment, management, or prevention of disease.  Applicants can apply for up to £100,000 for translational projects lasting 6-12 months.

If you would like to apply and read more about the scheme, please visit out SharePoint page here. If you would like to speak to one of the team about your project and whether it is eligible for the scheme, please contact lucy.lilwall@bristol.ac.uk

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Celebrating Technicians Working with Industry- exciting development opportunity for those who want to work with industry!
We are excited to announce that we will be holding a valuable set of workshop series for technicians and researchers who want to work with Industry. The workshops will be focusing on how to utilise an opportunity with to work with industry, how to engage with industry and how to effectively communicate with industry partners. These workshops are open to technicians and researchers who are interested in furthering their relationship with industry or want start a new one. These workshops are free to attend and have been funded by the Impact Development team.There are three workshops available to attend in June which will be online via Zoom, for more information and a chance to sign up for this extremely beneficial opportunity, please visit this eventbrite page

Any questions, please contact lucy.lilwall@bristol.ac.uk.