Being a SHAPE Researcher: synthesis report

This report sets out the findings and key themes emerging from engagement activities undertaken to date as part of the British Academy project on SHAPE Research Careers. Activities have included online workshops, held with early-, so-called “mid”-, and later-career researchers across the humanities, arts and social sciences; an ‘unconference’ held in Birmingham with stakeholders including researchers and researcher developers; and insights from a survey of researchers in higher education and other sectors.

This synthesis report is intended to benefit the wider SHAPE research community and other stakeholders, including employers and those engaged in researcher development and careers support. It captures the incredible diversity of SHAPE researchers and their careers in and beyond academia; uncovering what drives them to a career in research, the challenges they face and what being a researcher means to them. Readers are encouraged to read this report alongside our commissioned survey report to fully engage with the data and insights presented.