Research and knowledge exchange

ECR Symposium

Save the date! The ECR Symposium will be back on Thursday 13 June

The ECR Symposium brings together early career researchers (postdocs, research assistants and research fellows) to celebrate and showcase Sussex's brilliantly diverse ECR work and the important contribution it makes to the wider University.

Part of the Summer of Research, it's an opportunity for you to get out of your office or lab bubble and meet other researchers across disciplines, think about career progression and development, share your work, and be inspired by others. 

Bookings will open shortly. Explore the full programme below, and discover what last year's inaugural Symposium had to offer. 

Get involved!

The Research Image competition will open on Tuesday 7 May. We'd love to see your work represented! 

2024 Sussex ECR Symposium

Thursday 13 June, 9.30am - 5.00pm, Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts
Registration, coffee and pastries
9.30-9.45am 
Icebreaker activity
9.45-10.00am
Keynote on research careers

10.00-10.30am
Diverse careers roundtable
10.35-11.30am
There are many diverse career pathways open to researchers, and it's increasingly common to switch between academia and industry over the course of a successful career. We'll start by asking ourselves about career expectations before diving into a Q&A. Whether you are at the beginning of your journey or a seasoned researcher, this session will provide valuable knowledge and guidance as our experienced academic and industry panelists delve into the varied career routes available to aspiring researchers, and share their expertise in research and beyond.
Talk: Developing a policy brief
11.35am-12.30pm
Details to follow.
Seed Fund showcase and networking lunch

12.30-1.15pm
Hear lightning talks from some of the recent recipients of SRS Seed Funding, aimed at fostering a more creative, inclusive and collaborative research culture. Then grab some lunch, network with fellow researchers, and find out about the opportunities and support available to you across campus. Browse the image exhibition, showcasing the diversity of current ECR work, and vote for your People's Choice favourite.
Development workshops

1.15-2.45pm

Workshop 1: Creativity in writing

Do you struggle to make time for your writing, or find it hard to write creatively when you do make time? Facilitated by Dr Rebecca Webb, a senior lecturer in ESW, this workshop carves out a supportive space for researchers of all disciplines to write. Try out different techniques to re-energise your approach to writing and stimulate creativity, before settling down for an hour of intensive writing time.

Workshop 2: Promotions

Details to follow.
ECR Dragons' Den Final

3.00-5.00pm
The Dragons' Den is an opportunity for ECRs to bid for up to £2,000 of research funding and mentoring, and to gain experience in bid-writing and communicating their research to a non-specialist audience. Join us for the exciting live final as they pitch their research projects to a panel of academic experts, and vote for your People's Choice champion! Research Image competition results will be announced after the Dragons' Den prize-giving.
Drinks reception

5.00pm ownards

After a long day at the Symposium we'll be heading to a campus bar to wind down and chat. Drinks vouchers are first come, first served!

Contact Us

E: researchstaffoffice@sussex.ac.uk

T: 01273 877979

Research Staff Office, Research and Enterprise Services, Level 1, Falmer House, University of Sussex, BN1 9QF

  Twitter @SussexResearchr