A Q&A with the Early Career Researchers Group

Dr Niamh Mangan

Who is in the Early Career Researcher (ECR) group?

The ECR group comprises approximately 170 early career researchers from Hudson Institute, and Monash University’s School of Clinical Sciences and School of Public Health. Hudson currently has approximately 56 employed ECRs.

CCR – 17, CEM – 2, CGD – 4, CIID – 9, CRH – 7, TRC – 17

What constitutes an ECR? What is notable/critical about this point in a research career?

ECRS here are identified as those that are up to 10 years post date of PhD graduation.  Career disruptions are included in this timeframe. ECRs are an important core group, who are establishing their careers after their PhD, and transitioning from carrying out supervised research to becoming independent researchers.

Dr Michael Gantier

This is a time for strategic career development, which requires support and mentorship to ensure that the career trajectory is maintained. This period of a researcher’s life also often coincides with the time where they become parents, adding to the complexity of balancing life and work.

Why does the group exist, what is its purpose, why is it important to have one?

Our committee and group has been formed to identify all ECRs and provide them with a strong support network and specific initiatives to assist development of their careers.

The ECR committee aims to assist the drive of ECR excellence with support structures from Hudson, Monash University and Monash Health.

By bringing our ECRs together we are able to undertake new challenges such as writing publications, grants and fellowships, with the support of our peers and mentors.

What activities does the ECR Committee undertake?

Provide visibility for ECRs by

·        Liaising with Monash University, the faculty and their respective ECR committees to communicate the needs of ECRs and report back to the group. Michael Gantier and Niamh Mangan (ECR committee chairs) currently sit on the faculty and university ECR committees.

·         Reporting to Centre Heads with updates regarding all ECR events, initiatives, needs etc

·         Being represented on the Hudson Gender Equity Committee to ensure awareness of issues that often are pertinent to ECRs

·         Encouraging smaller informal Centre ECR gatherings for additional peer support

·         Providing information on all ECR events, initiatives, funding opportunities and processes, mentorship etc via the Hudson Intranet (in progress), Faculty SCS website and intranet, email and announcements.

Mentorship program

Forty mentees across Hudson, and ten from SCS, are currently taking part in Hudson’s 2015 mentorship program.

The matching process of mentees with mentors carefully considered the requests of mentoring areas for all ECRs and the strengths of each mentor. With the success of the 2015 mentorship program thus far, a 2016 program will be offered.

We encourage all ECRs to again apply for this program, with great benefits already seen from current mentoring. A different mentor will be assigned for any ECRs who wish to participate in both the 2015 and 2016 programs.

Workshops

Our first ECR Introductory and Welcome Event was held on 20 August and was attended by ~70 ECRs and staff. This event was to launch the newly formed ECR group, introduce the committee and discuss ECR initiatives, needs, events and highlight resources relevant to ECR professional development.

Our first workshop to introduce the Professional Skills for Research Leaders (PSRL) program took place on 15 September (36 attendees). PSRL aims to facilitate ECRs progression in professional and management skills, to strategise and execute research. Further workshops on PSRL modules will follow. See the ECR intranet events page for more details.

How can the Hudson Institute support ECRs?

·        Promote a positive culture around ECR initiatives and events by encouraging ECR attendance at workshops and events

·        Consider opportunities for ECRs to sit on/observe senior committees (e.g. fellowship interview panels)

·        Provide feedback for future workshops and suggestions based on experience

·        Participation in the ECR mentorship program

The group has just launched an ECR page on the Hudson intranet, what information is available there?

We have 6 main links providing a one-stop-shop for comprehensive ECR related information. This includes:

·        Committee information, organisational chart detailing the structure of Hudson through to Monash University and the Faculty ECR network

·         Mentorship. Forms for the program including the Mentorship Guidebook, and other resources

·         Upcoming internal events, workshops, seminars, and links to external ECR events

·         Funding opportunities – links to grants, fellowships, philanthropic funds, travel awards

·         Professional Development – links to PSRL, FRLP, HR Inductions for new staff, tall poppy and other CV-boosting initiative information

·         Gender Equity- information relayed from the Hudson GE committee, Monash and Hudson policies relating to Gender Equity.

Contact Us: ecr@Hudson.org.au