What are the benefits of ECR Network membership?
Networking and developmental support
Members have the opportunity to meet fellow ECRs and British Academy Fellows from a range of fields across the humanities and social sciences.
They can also sign up to our exclusive online community platform and access a range of activities, including training, workshops and panel sessions. Examples include:
- Media training
- Engaging with policymakers
- How to write a compelling grant application
- Let’s talk interdisciplinarity: value and practicalities of working across disciplines
- Communicating social sciences to wider audiences
- Planning impact
- Careers outside academia: what to expect
- Value and impact: a look at international collaborations
- From thesis to monographs: getting your PhD published
- Grant and publications writing retreats
Our events
Members are free to attend a host of regular events organised by, or on behalf of, the ECR Network – ranging from skill-based workshops to talks and panel sessions on issues impacting the ECR community. Here are some examples of upcoming events taking place within the ECR Network:
- Mastering grant writing: From concept to funding (May)
- Building a sustainable career and navigating an uncertain future as an ECR (May)
- Presentation skills (May)
- Impact and engagement workshop (June)
- Raising the value of your work with a clear professional identity (June)
Our unique community
The Network brings together almost 6,000 ECRs from across the humanities and social sciences, bridging important gaps between those ECRs who have security and funding and those who do not. Network members:
- Inform, shape and feed into the activities of the Network
- Develop their own sessions with support from the Academy and/or hub partners
- Access our community platform to expand their networks and links with researchers, Fellows, and partners
- Access online and in-person events, workshops, and training
- Access networking opportunities that expand networks and encourage cross collaboration
Our online platform
Members of the ECR Network have exclusive access to our online community platform.
This platform offers members a place to access all ECR Network-related resources including presentations, a list of upcoming events and past event recordings.
On the British Academy ECR Network online community platform, you can access exclusive opportunities for Network members.
A key element of our online community platform is that you have access to over 2800 ECR Network members who you can connect with to discuss common interests, seek advice and tips, and start potential collaborations.
Additional opportunities
Development Fund Stream 1 - Event Convening
Through the Development Fund, ECRs can apply for up to £3,000 to organise an event for the Network. This funding offers members the opportunity to host new events that contribute meaningfully to the personal and professional development of Early Career Researchers (ECRs)—both for organisers and participants. Events should clearly demonstrate their value and impact on the research community. They can be thematic, discipline-specific, or designed to foster community engagement, knowledge exchange, and networking among ECRs.
Development Fund Stream 2 – Personal and professional Development
Network members can access up to £200 towards attending a conference, training or workshop being organised outside of the Network, cover Professional Association membership fees or costs for travel to in-person job interviews, research group meetings, or other key meetings that will have a direct and positive impact to your professional and personal development. There are no geographical restrictions, these opportunities can be based in the UK or abroad.
Travel and Accommodation support
If required, Network members can request to have their travel and accommodation costs covered when attending a Network event.
Mentoring
The Network’s Encourage and Engage initiative pairs ECRs with Fellows working in similar subject areas. This opportunity is offered twice a year. As part of the programme, ECRs take part in both group and one-to-one sessions with Fellows, where they receive valuable advice and insights on how to best navigate a career in research and academia.
British Academy Early Career Researcher Network Seed Fund 2024-25
The British Academy Early Career Researcher Network (BA ECRN) is a programme aimed at fostering the development of new research initiatives while supporting the career progression of Early Career Researchers (ECRs).
