Award Holder: Dr Mayra Rodriguez

This project will deliver a half-day exploratory workshop connecting ECRs & post-graduate researchers from social and data/computer sciences departments on the themes related to climate and health at the University of Exeter. Through this proposed workshop and facilitated discussions, we aim to start the development of a shared vocabulary, understanding of various research/ analytical methodologies, whilst exploring the potential of integrating social and data science perspectives into climate and health research. The event will lay the groundwork for an ECR network on the thematic, as well as cross-faculty learning and innovation, and external funding focused on responsible, socially grounded data practices. 

Award Holder: Dr Sonia Medina

Dr Emily Clements and Dr Sonia Medina, as co-leads of NeuroimEx, an ECR-led neuroimaging network, seek to deliver a one-day symposium aimed at strengthening awareness and accessibility of methods the study the human brain at the University of Exeter. The symposium will connect ECRs across disciplines with neuroimaging expertise, facilities, and research networks, while addressing key topics such as open science, ethics of neurotechnology, coding skills, and inclusive research practices. The event will promote collaboration, skills development, and clearer neuroimaging training pathways, supporting a more connected and sustainable ECR brain research community at Exeter. 

Award Holder: Dr Aimee Middlemiss  

This project launches the HASS Health Medicine and Bodies ECRN by bringing together current and prospective members for a mini-conference to share their research and collaboratively plan the future of the network. The mini-conference will showcase research and facilitate peer feedback, with the talks available online to a wider audience of prospective members. The project will provide space for informal in-person interaction and collaboration to strengthen the new network, as well as acting as a pilot for future events building community in those researching health, medicine and bodies from HASS disciplines. 

Award Holder: Dr Tristan Cann

HackAI will deliver a series of workshops to empower ECRs from across the University with experience of interdisciplinary collaboration along the themes of AI. Participants will be upskilled with a focus on natural language processing and large language models and their diverse applications. The series of events will culminate in a hackathon-style event, where ECRs will be invited to pitch their research ideas in this space, build an interdisciplinary team with the necessary skills, and produce tangible research outputs using their newly enhanced skills. 

Award Holder: Dr Sampurna Kundu

Dr Sampurna Kundu’s project builds on the growing tradition of ECR-led events within the Psychology department, aiming to further strengthen research culture and peer connections among early career researchers. Through the delivery of an annual ECR conference, the initiative creates a supportive space for researchers to share their work, discuss common challenges, and develop lasting professional networks. A key feature of this year’s event is an expert-led academic writing workshop designed to support reflective and sustainable writing practices. The project also places strong emphasis on developing ECR leadership skills, with early career researchers actively involved in organising and delivering the event. This initiative aligns with the University’s Research Culture priorities and Concordat commitments, promoting collegiality, inclusion, and professional growth. 

Award Holder: Dr Anna Conzatti

This project will deliver an interactive open research workshop for researchers from multiple disciplines at the Penryn campus. The initiative focuses on establishing a new Open Research Cornwall (ORC) network - introducing open research practices to ECRs in Penryn, showing them how to practically integrate it into their work, and opening a discussion about how to promote long-term sustainability of open research practices. By bringing together ECRs, the workshop supports collaboration, research integrity, and leadership development. The project will produce shared guidance to support long-term, sustainable open research practices and strengthen research culture in Cornwall. 

Award Holder: Dr April Hayes

The Penryn Microbiology ECRN ‘Publish don’t perish!’ event aims to provide our members with increased skill sets around academic publishing, including peer review, the role of an academic journal editor, and best practises for open and transparent journal submissions.  It will involve a guest talk from the Deputy Editor in Chief of Access Microbiology, skills sharing between ECRN members, and an optional break-out space for quiet writing. This event will develop skills, allow members to share their expertise and develop best practise guidelines to be shared with our ECRN members. 

Award Holder: Dr Katie Young

This project will deliver the second CBS ECRN conference, building on the success of the inaugural event held in June 2025. The conference will provide a supportive, ECR-led environment focused on developing confidence, leadership, and assessment skills through oral and poster presentations, session chairing, and peer evaluation. Senior academics will contribute targeted career development sessions that complement ECR activities. By bringing ECRs together for a full day, the event will strengthen cross-departmental relationships, support inclusive research culture, and enable emerging connections to develop into collaborative research activities. 

Award Holder: Dr Lucy Winder

This project will deliver a two-day grant-writing workshop for ECRs in the CEC. The workshop aims to build practical skills, confidence, and a peer support network around developing competitive grant and fellowship applications. Participants will receive expert training, tailored feedback on their ideas, and opportunities for interdisciplinary networking. The project will also create shared resources and establish a sustainable ECR grant-writing peer network, strengthening research culture, collaboration, and long-term support for research leadership and career development within the department. 

Award Holder: Dr Nadeen Dakkak

The workshops aim to rejuvenate the faculty-wide HASS Early-Career Researchers Network through creating a supportive, safe, and collegial environment that encourages interdisciplinarity across the humanities disciplines and innovation in both research and teaching. The HASS ECR Network and these events address the challenges that new colleagues may encounter as they launch their careers, build communities, and navigate the academic profession.  

Award Holder: Dr Georgia Poplett

‘In (M)Other Words’ is an ECRN designed to develop professional knowledge of (and engagement with) creative writing research, in exploring the unique challenges and wonders of mothering experiences. Across four workshops, we will build a research community for creative writers who identify with the topic of motherhood in any way – all are welcome. We will interrogate the permeable boundaries of motherhood and mothering (queer motherhood, neurodivergent motherhood, historical motherhood, bereaved motherhood, and more) to enhance a creative research culture founded on inclusivity and wellbeing. New writing will be exhibited at a literary salon in April 2026.