Junior Faculty Network
Established in May 2022, the Junior Faculty Network is a new peer-led network that provides social and training opportunities to support staff at the University of Sussex transitioning into their first academic leadership role.
Led by Dr Beth Nicholls (School of Life Sciences), Dr Jamie Knight (Engineering & Informatics) and Dr Kate Shaw (Physics & Astronomy), this network is open to members of all schools, and membership is self-defined and inclusive. To join the network mailing list and hear about future events please register here and follow us on Twitter @JFN_Sussex. If you have any suggestions for future initiatives, activities or funding sources please email e.nicholls@sussex.ac.uk
Based on results of an online survey of junior faculty at the University of Sussex, April 2022.
- Why have we set up a network for junior faculty?
Making the transition from post-doc to research group leader, or starting your first faculty position can be equal parts exciting and daunting. Responses to an online survey that we recently distributed among junior faculty in each school, highlighted a lack of connection with other colleagues, and struggles with time management and a lack of direction for new faculty and research fellows.
- What will the network do?
We have funding from the Research Culture Seed Fund to run a network launch event, and a series of coffee mornings for new faculty members between now and the end of July 2022, though we hope to secure further funding to continue these regular networking events beyond this date. Based on feedback from junior faculty members, we also plan to host an away day in the next couple of months, with both training and networking opportunities, and a care bursary is available to facilitate attendance.
E: researchstaffoffice@sussex.ac.uk
T: 01273 877979
Research Staff Office, Research and Enterprise Services, Level 1, Falmer House, University of Sussex, BN1 9QF
