The ECR Development Series, the Sussex Researcher School's training programme for early career researchers (ECRs), has had a makeover for the 2024-25 academic year.

We've reorganised the strands of training to match more closely to Vitae's Researcher Development Framework, a tool to help you develop the skills you need as your research career progresses. This also brings our ECR workshops in line with our postgraduate training programme.

The themes are:

• Learn – RDF domain A: Knowledge and intellectual abilities
• Grow – RDF domain B: Personal effectiveness
• Realise – RDF domain C: Research governance and organisation
• Thrive – RDF domain D: Engagement, influence and impact

Workshops are designed for ECRs; that is, staff on a research-only contract at grades 6-8, broadly research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and research fellows. Some sessions are also open to postgraduate researchers and staff at other career stages, and that will be clearly indicated.

Throughout Autumn we'll be offering workshops from teams across Sussex who support research. First up on Tuesday 15 October is Choosing where to publish, an online Library session that will help you to assess reputable publications and understand how responsible metrics and open research can inform your decision. Book your place today!

The University of Sussex is a signatory to the Researcher Development Concordat, which set an expectation that researchers engage in a minimum of ten days' professional development each year. Read more about the commitments Sussex has made to support researchers on the ECR Development and Support webpages.

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