Early Career Researcher Network Regional Clusters

The British Academy is partnering with the University of Nottingham, Coventry University and University of Lincoln to deliver the Early Career Researcher Network in the Midlands and Mid Wales. The University of Nottingham (lead), Coventry University (co-lead) and University of Lincoln (co-lead) will act as delivery partners and lead a consortium of 15 institutions in the Midlands and Mid Wales to manage and coordinate the network. They will facilitate events and activities both in the region and at the Academy that will provide an opportunity for capacity building, knowledge exchange and networking.

The ECR Network’s Midlands and Mid Wales consortium, led by the University of Nottingham, Coventry University and University of Lincoln, comprises:

• Abersystwyth University
• Aston University
• Birmingham City University
• De Montfort University
• Keele University
• Loughborough University
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Birmingham
• University of Derby
• University of Leicester
• University of Northampton
• University of Staffordshire
• University of Warwick
• University of Wolverhampton
• University of Worcester

The British Academy has partnered with new delivery partners in 2024 for our South West and South Wales Cluster – the University of Exeter (lead) and Bath Spa University (co-lead).

The ECR Network South West and South Wales Consortium comprises of:

• Bournemouth University
• Cardiff Metropolitan University
• Cardiff University
• University of Bath
• University of Bristol
• University of Gloucestershire
• University of Plymouth
• University of the West of England
• University of Wales Trinity Saint David

“The launch of our second regional cluster in the South West is a major step forward in the establishment of our national support network for early career researchers in the humanities and social sciences. We welcome the participation of the regional consortium in helping us to build and enhance research skills and capacities for a vibrant research base.

"This new step brings together the passion, networks, and power of the British Academy, the partner universities, and the dedicated researchers themselves and will ensure that these disciplines will truly shape our future."

Professor John Scott FBA, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the University of Plymouth and Chair of the Advisory Board of the British Academy’s ECR Network

The Academy is pleased to announce that it is partnering with King’s College London, Middlesex University London, University College London and University of Greenwich to deliver the Early Career Researcher Network in London.

The ECR Network London consortium, led by King's College London, Middlesex University London, University College London and University of Greenwich comprises:

• Birkbeck, University of London
• The British Film Institute
• Brunel University London
• Christian Aid
• The Courtauld Institute of Art
• The Institute of Fiscal Studies
• London South Bank University
• The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
• Queen Mary, University of London
• Rose Bruford College
• The Royal Academy of Music
• The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
• Royal Holloway, University of London
• School of Advanced Studies, University of London
• SOAS, University of London
• University of East London
• University of Westminster
• The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)
• University of West London
• The Wiener Holocaust Library

The British Academy is partnering with the University of Stirling (co-lead) and the University of Glasgow (co-lead) to deliver the Early Career Researcher Network in Scotland. Both institutions will act as delivery partners and lead a consortium of 18 institutions in Scotland to manage and coordinate the Network. They will faciliate events and activities both in the region and at the Academy that will provide an opportunity for capacity building, knowledge exchange and networking.

The ECR Network Scotland consortium, led by the Universities of Stirling and Glasgow, comprises:

• Abertay University
• Edinburgh Napier University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Glasgow School of Art
• Heriot-Watt University
• National Galleries of Scotland
• Queen Margaret University
• Robert Gordon University
• Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
• Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
• Scottish Graduate School for Arts & Humanities
• Scottish Graduate School for Social Sciences
• University of St Andrews
• University of Aberdeen
• University of Dundee
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Strathclyde
• University of the Highlands and Islands
• University of the West of Scotland

"We’re delighted to co-host the ECRN Scotland cluster with our colleagues from the University of Glasgow. This is a wonderful initiative which has already shown its value to other parts of the UK. It represents a significant strengthening of the ECR landscape in Scotland and will help Scottish universities to promote the careers of the next generation of academics and researchers. I am looking forward to drawing in early-career researchers from across Scotland who can benefit from the events and opportunities that will be run as part of the cluster."

Professor Neville Wylie, Deputy Principal (Internationalisation) and Interim Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Stirling

"The University of Glasgow is delighted to be co-leading, along with the University of Stirling, the Scottish cluster for the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network. We are looking forward to shaping this new and supportive network with the British Academy and colleagues across Scottish Higher Education Institutions to provide a wonderful opportunity for early-career researchers in the arts, humanities and social sciences.

“The Scottish network will create both physical and virtual spaces for early-career researchers to collaborate, network and connect. It will also provide high-quality support for careers and skills development."

Professor Chris Pearce, Vice Principal for Research & Knowledge Exchange at the University of Glasgow

"The launch of the third cluster in Scotland completes the initial rollout of the British Academy’s pilot Early Career Researcher Network. Our vision is for an inclusive Network where humanities and social science researchers across the country – whether funded by the British Academy or not, and regardless of their institutional affiliation – can find opportunities for professional and personal growth.

"The network aims to foster academic relationships within and between areas of the UK and to provide a platform for collaboration, training and support for early-career researchers across the UK. We look forward to supporting the University of Stirling and others on this exciting initiative."

Doctor Valeria Skafida, Senior Lecturer in Social Policy at the University of Edinburgh and a member of the British Academy’s Early Career Researcher Advisory Group

The fifth expansion for the British Academy's Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) is the North West and North Wales cluster.

This regional cluster is led by Lancaster University, the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University. They will work with a consortium of additional institutions that is currently being formed.