Early Career Researcher Network
The Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network aims to provide support and advice to people who are interested in research and consider themselves as early career researchers at Aberystwyth University. Our goal is to provide a friendly and inclusive forum to discuss issues concerning careers and wellbeing, as well as provision of skill development and social events. We wish to be responsive to the needs of ECRs and welcome comments and suggestions on issues and events you would like the network to consider. You can contact one of the members of the volunteer committee listed below.
Join ECR Network
Events
Upcoming Events
The Conversation | November 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm on Wednesday, 27th November 2024 at Zoom
In collaboration with the University’s Communications & Public Affairs Team, ECR Network have arranged a workshop with one of the editors of The Conversation.
This briefing session/writing workshop is specifically for members of the ECR Network.
It will teach you how The Conversation works and help you to develop the skills to write for non-academic audiences.
Spaces are limited and need to be booked in advance here:
If you have any questions about the workshop or about writing for The Conversation, please contact Alice Earp in the Communications & Public Affairs Team on ale@aber.ac.uk.
Christmas ECR Social | December 2024
3:30pm on Friday, 13th December 2024 at Arts Centre Bar, Penglais Campus, AU
Please join us for a relaxed Christmas social event for all AU ECRs; have a chat, catch up and get to know other ECRs from across the University or simply enjoy a drink.
Whether you’re looking to network or simply relax, we’d love to see you there for a festive celebration.
When: Friday 13th December from 3:30pm
Where: Arts Centre Bar – look out for us with our flyer (image attached)
Past Events
Career Talk by Professor Geoff Richards | November 2024
3:00pm - 4:30pm on Tuesday, 5th November 2024 at Ty Trafod, The Research Dialogue Centre, Visualisation Centre, Penglais campus, AU
Join us for an inspiring career talk by Prof. Geoff Richards, sharing his journey from Aberystwyth graduate to Director of a leading orthopaedic research institute AO in Davos, Switzerland.
Learn about the highs and lows of his career beyond academia, and gain insights into the world of research and industry.
ECR Social | October 2024
From 4:00pm on Friday, 18th October 2024 at Aberystwyth Arts Centre Bar
Please join us for a relaxed social event for all AU ECRs; have a chat, catch up and get to know other ECRs from across the University or simply enjoy a drink. If the weather is nice, we plan to head to town or the sea front for those would who likes to continue socialising later in the evening.
Whether you’re looking to network or simply relax, we’d love to see you there.
ECR Social | August 2024
From 4:00pm on Thursday, 15th August 2024 at Aberystwyth Arts Centre Bar (look out for us with our flyer (image below))
Please join us for a relaxed social event for all AU ECRs; have a chat, catch up and get to know other ECRs from across the University or simply enjoy a drink. If the weather is nice, we plan to head to town or the sea front for those would who likes to continue socialising later in the evening.
Whether you’re looking to network or simply relax, we’d love to see you there.
Research Fellowship Workshop
10:00am - 12:30pm on Thursday, 27th June 2024 at The Research Dialogue Centre, Visualisation Centre, Penglais campus, AU
Find out:
- What is a research fellowship?
- How to apply?
- Where to find support?
Hear experiences from successful fellowship applicants and panel reviewers
Register at https://forms.office.com/e/s94mNmJEG3
ECR Social | May 2024
From 4:30pm on Friday, 3rd May 2024 at Aberystwyth Arts Centre
The Conversation | April 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm on Tuesday, 16th April 2024 at Zoom
In collaboration with the University’s Communications & Public Affairs Team, ECR Network has arranged a workshop with one of the editors of The Conversation.
This briefing session/writing workshop is specifically for members of the ECR Network.
It will teach you how The Conversation works and help you to develop the skills to write for non-academic audiences.
ECRs Social Brewing and Talk by LSW | February 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm on Tuesday, 13th February 2024 at Dialogue Centre, Penglais campus, AU
A friendly afternoon gathering to meet and interact with ECRS for developing professional and social connections, followed by talk by the Learned society of Wales.
ECR Social Lunch & Talk on Welsh Funding Opportunities | January 2024
12:45pm - 3:30pm on Tuesday, 16th January 2024 at Dialogue Centre, Penglais campus, AU
Connecting ECR community in AU for energising conversations, collaborations and to know more about Welsh government fundings.
A friendly afternoon gathering to meet and interact with ECRs for developing professional and social dimensions, followed by talk on Welsh funding opportunities by Samantha Williams.
Paths through Academia | November 2023
3:00pm - 5:00pm on Thursday, 16th November 2023 at Medrus 1, Penglais campus, AU
Workshop and discussion:
- Discuss the diverse routes through academia
- Rationalise expectations for metrics of success
- Meet and socialise with other ECR members
ECR Network Inaugural and Networking Event | August 2023
2:00pm - 3:30pm on Tuesday, 8th August 2023 at Medrus Main, Penglais campus, AU
We would like to invite you to a social networking event. The event is funded by the Graduate School and aims to support the wellbeing and career development of researchers. Please do join us if you are interested in research and consider yourself to be an Early Career Researcher.
ECR Network Committee
Dr Aiswarya Girija (aig15@aber.ac.uk) - contact for social events
I am a Strategic Research Fellow in IBERS, Gogerddan campus, working on plant-stress adaptation and food nutrition. The ECR research and social hub in AU provides the platform to meet, connect and share with ECRs across all disciplines in strengthening the skills and in building networks needed for the professional and personal development. The ECR hub actively encourages suggestions on the events and resources and host workshops and meetings for the needed topics in demand. If you have any suggestions on organizing social events, please feel free to contact me.
Dr Chelsea Davis (chd31@aber.ac.uk) – Treasurer and departmental representative liaison
I am a post-doc at DLS, researching host-pathogen interactions in veterinary diseases, including fascioliasis and bovine tuberculosis. I manage funds to support events for the ECR network and act as a point of contact for departmental representatives.
Dr Elena Anna Spagnuolo (eas17@aber.c.uk)
I teach Italian within the Department of Modern Languages and I am Research Fellow at the Centre for The Movement of People. I am currently working on a research project funded by the British Academy which investigates the evacuation scheme for the Italian children which took place after the World War II. I am the ECR network representative for the Department of Modern Languages. Feel free to contact me if you would like to know more about the ECR Network.
Dr Hannah Rees (har55@aber.ac.uk) – contact for training
I am a Strategic research Fellow IBERS, working on plant biological rhythms. One of the aims of the ECR network is to work with the graduate school to help organise training and feedback on what researchers need. Feel free to contact me with ideas for events and workshops you would like to see available.
Dr Hannah Vallin (hev1@aber.ac.uk) - contact for communications
I am a Research Scientist at IBERS, interested in DNA metabarcoding and its uses for dietary analysis, grassland monitoring, understanding plant communities and plant-herbivore interactions. I am very passionate about the ECR network and its potential benefits to ECRs, and encourage likeminded individuals to join. I oversee the network's social media accounts and feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions to improve our online presence.
Dr Yasir Saleem (yss1@aber.ac.uk) - contact for general enquiries
I am a Lecturer in Computer Science. My research interests include artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, smart cities, vehicular networks and wireless networks. Feel free to contact me if you would like to know more about the ECR network.