Month: September 2023

Bristol Clear Bulletin-29th September

Posted on by josie.dunne

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

This week we’re focussing on

Bristol Clear 1:1s

Do you have a work-related issue that you would like to talk through with someone? Or would you like to take some time to review your career options?

Bristol Clear offer 30-minute coaching-style sessions to researchers on Pathway 2 to give you an opportunity to talk through work/career issues with an impartial member of the Bristol Clear team. 

These sessions give you the space to reflect and consider solutions.

Researchers who have made use of our offer have fed back that they value the opportunity to talk through their issue and feel an enhanced clarity about what next steps to take.

Book an appointment now!

Upcoming workshops

Places are now available on the following workshops:

  • 17 October 10:00-12:30- Bristol Clear 1:1s 
  • 30 October 10:00-12:30- Bristol Clear 1:1s
  • 31 October 09:15-17:00- Writing Retreat (in person and online)
  • 02 November 09:30- 12:00- How to Peer Review Manuscripts for Journals
  • 13 November 09:30-12:00- Discovering Career Support for Researchers at Bristol 
  • 14 November 10:00-13:00- Interview Confidence

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

Research-related events and initiatives

An Introduction to Co-Produced Research

Do you want to find out more about co-produced research? Thinking of applying to Brigstow for seedcorn funding?

Join Brigstow and Hannah Mumby for a workshop to explore how to use co-produced approaches in research. This event is aimed at anyone wanting to find out about co-produced research and who might also be thinking of applying for seedcorn funding from Brigstow.
More information and registration.

Wed, 4 Oct 2023 12:30 – 16:00. Room 1.68, Queen’s Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TR

How Can We Improve Research Culture at Bristol

If you have a suggestion, or any thoughts or comments about research culture at Bristol, let us know through this suggestions box.
Contact: If you’d like to discuss research culture, get in touch with Marcus Munafò, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research Culture at marcus.munafo@bristol.ac.uk

Enhancing Research Culture: post-project case studies

Over 30 research projects were funded by Research England to enhance the research culture at the University. These projects are now reaching their conclusion, and the Enhancing Research Culture team are looking forward to sharing further information on their findings over the next couple of months. Three project case studies are now available to read: Untold Stories – Challenging research behaviours for study of the past; The Inclusive Research Collective; and Supporting Neurodivergent Research Culture. To learn more, visit the Enhancing Research Culture website.

Training from other providers: Library Research Support 

Did you know that Library Research Support offers live training workshops for researchers?

Check the library events page to book a place on a scheduled event, or contact the Research Support mailbox if you’d like the team to run an event for your research group.

Bristol Clear Bulletin- 15th September

Posted on by josie.dunne

Bristol Clear logo

Friday 15th September 2023

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

In this bulletin:

UKNPAW 2023- Creating connections and rediscovering joy
Announcements
Training from other providers

UKNPAW 2023- Creating connections and rediscovering joy

What is a “Postdoc”?

How similar/different is this across different disciplines, and with the increased focus on interdisciplinary research, how can we communicate and connect across divides?

Starting with a take on the nuances of words by best-selling author and comedian Dave Chawner (https://www.davechawner.co.uk/), followed by conversations and discussion panel led by Prof Ian Sabroe and Dr Dieter Declercq, hosts of the podcast ‘Conversations about Arts, Humanities and Health’, on how to create collaborative environments, break preconceived ideologies, and rediscover the joy that drives us forward with what we do! On the panel will be researchers Dr Claire Burridge (University of Sheffield, history of health and medicine), Dr Élaina Gauthier-Mamaril (University of Edinburgh, philosophy and bioethics), and Dr Mukti Sigh (University of Manchester, protein structure and function).

When: 18th September, 10.30am (expected run time around 1.5 hours, the event will close latest at 12.30pm)

How: Register here https://lovepostdocs.azurelive.net/registration/creating-connections-rediscovering-joy/

Remember you can catch up on previous recorded events as well! Check out the website https://uk-postdoc-appreciation-week.webnode.co.uk/.

person holding a megaphone

Announcements

Changes to how researchers are costed, appointed and developed

The University published principles and guidance on how Research Associates (RAs) and Senior Research Associates (SRAs) are costed on project proposals, and on how roles are designed with scope for development. The key principles are:

  • Identify what type of researcher role a project requires
  • If in doubt, cost researcher roles at Grade J/level b as a minimum
  • Engage with role profiles to recruit to the right level
  • Design roles with scope for development

Connected to the principles and guidance is the change from the process of “Movement from Level a to b” to Promotion up to Senior Lecturer / Senior Research Fellow from 1st April 2024. In the interim period, all line managers of RAs (grade I/ level a) are encouraged to review if the role and responsibilities of the RA are still commensurate with the role profile a for RAs, or if they actually align with the role profile b for SRAs. If the latter is the case, line managers can make a case for Movement from Level a to b for their RA  by  completing and submitting this form until 31st October 2023.

Forging Successful Collaborations with Industry: An Enterprise Masterclass with Anke Te

Are you engaged with industry or enterprise activity? Would you like to get some advice and guidance on how to build effective partnerships? If so then this event might be of interest:

Anike is the Chief Strategy Officer and member of the Strategy Management Group of Lucideon, an international materials design, development, and commercialisation consultancy. In this global-facing role, Anike advises Lucideon on long-term strategic direction and how to develop and commercialise key new activities around technology trends and drivers of the future. As an Aegis Professor for Engineering Biology at the University of Bristol, Anike helps to facilitate cross-disciplinary and collaborative working. She works with the Bristol BioDesign Institute (BBI) as industrial advisor for the translation of synthetic and engineering biology to applications in industry.

Anike has a wide range of experiences in different sectors and positions, various leadership roles and an extensive international network across a variety of industries, academia, and institutions. In this Enterprise Masterclass, Anike will discuss her career and experience working in various sectors and positions, the importance of partnerships between universities and industry, and how to develop successful partnerships.

Thursday 28th September 10:15- 13:00, Beacon House BS8 1SE. Room 4.06

You can secure your place via eventbrite

Please send any queries relating to this event to claire.wrixon@bristol.ac.uk

Career Journeys: discovering careers outside of academia- 28th September
If you’re considering how to progress your career outside of academia and would like to hear from others who have done just this, then this event is for you!
This informal session is focused on the speaker’s personal stories which demonstrate a variety of approaches of transitioning their career from being an academic to using their skills and experience working in a different field.

This month’s speaker will be Dr Jenny Oliver:

  • Jenny completed an undergraduate master’s in pharmacology (with industry placement year) and PhD at Bath University, before undertaking a 3-year laboratory-based postdoctoral research position at Keele University.
  • She joined Bristol University in 2010 as a Research Coordinator for the Bristol (Children’s) Vaccine Centre where she was initially responsible for facilitating several paediatric vaccine trials and establishing the Immunity and Infection Research Tissue Bank. As the team grew, she took on more managerial responsibilities, overseeing staff as well as research projects, and handling all operational aspects from feasibility assessments through to study completion.
  • Jenny now leads the research support team (“admin team”) arm of the Bristol Vaccine Centre, currently consisting of some 50+ staff, and manages the financial, HR and operational planning across all BVC areas.

Thursday 28th September 12:00-13:00, online

Sign up on Develop now!

An Introduction to Co-Produced Research

Do you want to find out more about co-produced research? Thinking of applying to Brigstow for seedcorn funding?

Join Brigstow and Hannah Mumby for a workshop to explore how to use co-produced approaches in research. This event is aimed at anyone wanting to find out about co-produced research and who might also be thinking of applying for seedcorn funding from Brigstow.
More information and registration.

Wed, 4 Oct 2023 12:30 – 16:00. Room 1.68, Queen’s Building, University Walk Bristol BS8 1TR

How can we improve research culture at Bristol

If you have a suggestion, or any thoughts or comments about research culture at Bristol, let us know through this suggestions box.
Contact: If you’d like to discuss research culture, get in touch with Marcus Munafò, Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research Culture at marcus.munafo@bristol.ac.uk

Research Culture Uncovered Series

Leeds University are posting weekly podcasts on all matters relating to research culture. During these conversations, Research Culture Uncovered will be asking what is Research Culture and why does it matter?

Recent episodes include:

  • Industrial Research Fellowship and the Research Co-Culture podcast
  • The Future of Research Impact Culture
  • The Research Adjacents

See all Research Culture Uncovered Podcasts– also on Spotify, Apple, Amazon and Google

Enhancing Research Culture: post-project case studies

Over 30 research projects were funded by Research England to enhance the research culture at the University. These projects are now reaching their conclusion, and the Enhancing Research Culture team are looking forward to sharing further information on their findings over the next couple of months. Three project case studies are now available to read: Untold Stories – Challenging research behaviours for study of the past; The Inclusive Research Collective; and Supporting Neurodivergent Research Culture. To learn more, visit the Enhancing Research Culture website.

Training From Other Providers

Follow the link above for details on online training courses currently available