A recent paper looks at the difficulty and conflict that ECRs experience around achieving impact outside academia – something that they feel passionate about – while meeting more traditional and narrow ideas of ‘research excellence’ in academia.
The paper also looks at ‘publish or perish’ pressures, confidence and imposter syndrome in presenting your research as an ECR, and how focusing on impact can affect careers.
Read the paper (open access) at The conflict of impact for early career researchers planning for a future in the academy.
Free workshop: Research Impact in the Arts and Humanities
Introducing the Early Career Researcher Network










First publication for two CMWH PhD students
Opportunities to support our REF preparations
SPROUT Returns: Designing Sustainability in Research Practice – Wednesday 20 May 12-2pm
Innovative Approaches to Doctoral Supervision: Selected Case Studies
3C Event: Research Culture, Community & Canapés-Tuesday 19 May 1-2pm
Apply now to take part in the 2026 ESRC Festival of Social Science
Reminder: Register for the ESRC Festival of Social Science 2026 Information Session
ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Apply now
ECR Funding Open Call: Research Culture & Community Grant – Application Deadline Friday 12 December
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025 Call
ERC Advanced Grant 2025 Webinar
Update on UKRO services
European research project exploring use of ‘virtual twins’ to better manage metabolic associated fatty liver disease