August
2015
++ growing
research independence
Dr Kay Guccione
University of Sheffield
k.guccione@sheffield.ac.uk
SLIDE
DECK
This slide pack resource was
generated following a research study
into the habits and behaviours of early
career researchers who gain research
fellowship awards (study info here).
The study was funded as a Small
Development Project, by the
Leadership Foundation for Higher
Education.
These slides may be downloaded and
used within a workshop session, by
anyone with an interest in helping
develop early career colleagues
towards independent researcher
status.
++ introductions
++ What does a researcher need
to be successful?
small
group
discussion
++ How do you get what you
need for success?
small
group
discussion
++ `Networking ```for fellowships?
(Guccione, 2015)
25 interviews across research-intensive Universities
Characterising the professional networks of Fellows
Looking for key players and key ways of supporting
And how researchers actually acquire their networks
Successful independent researchers all described the necessity
of being well connected to a network for research success.
Aspiring funding applicants seek new contacts to support or
enhance research profiles and funding applications...
Researchers also get in touch, ‘be cheeky’, ask for things, and
activate existing contacts to take on supporting roles.
++ today’s workshop
PART 1
NETWORKING &
RAISING YOUR
ONLINE PROFILES
PART 2
USING NETWORKS
TO DEVELOP
RESEARCH
IDEAS
++ PART 1
NETWORKING &
RAISING YOUR
ONLINE PROFILES
++ What do good networkers do?
small
group
discussion
++ What do good networkers do?
Listen to understand
Be trustworthy and reliable
Find things in common
Never off duty, take every opportunity
Take an interest and be nosy
Give something, rather than take
Put themselves out there
Link you to others too
Be genuine and sincere
Be positive and enthusiastic
Follow up and feedback
Be cheeky!
++ Networking at conferences –
what do you gain?
small
group
discussion
++ Networking at conferences –
what do you gain?
Research or technical expertise
Points to a meeting or funding call
Future job offer
Host for visiting researcher
Ideas for your next project
Collaboration
Discussion of your current work
Links to the wider literature
Host, mentor, reference
Insider info on where to work
Impress your peer reviewer
Their further contacts
Reputation
++ Networking at conferences –
how to be remembered?
small
group
discussion
++ Networking at conferences –
how to be remembered?
email your question or request
Say what you liked or will use
Present your work
Good audience behaviour!
Ask a question – in session
Ask your question later
…and feedback if it worked
Comment or discussion
Make an offer of help
Handout from your presentation
Handout from your poster
Include links to more info about you
++ online networking
Your online profile is your CV
Google yourself (or ask a friend to), what do you find?
① Is it complete information, or are there parts missing?
② What does it say about your skills, your experiences, your specialisms,
and your achievements?
③ Is it up to date information, does it include your latest achievements?
④ Have you presented yourself well, have you included a full picture of a
rounded researcher?
⑤ Would people want to connect with you, can they see a little bit about
you as a person?
⑥ Is it ready for potential employers to see?
⑦ Is it ready for potential funders to see?
⑧ Is it ready for potential collaborators to see?
++ online social networking
①Mendeley: references + networking
②Cite-u-like: online version
③Academia.edu: paper sharing + stats
④Research Gate sharing + stats + collab
⑤ORCID: unique ID
⑥PIIRUS: collaborator search
⑦Twitter: global conversation, group, hashtags
⑧Facebook: groups / pages / events
⑨Blog, Livejournal: writing for different audiences
++ How will you increase your
networks locally
paired
discussion
of
3 actions
++ further networks / impact
Did you think about?
①Dept./ University researcher committees and groups
②Start/join special interest groups (subject / software /
technique)
③Professional memberships / learned societies
④Join online mailing lists (e.g. JISC) / newsletters
⑤Got to training workshops like this!
⑥Start/Join writing groups, journal clubs
⑦Get a mentor in a different discipline or university
⑧ Volunteer to organise a meeting – get to know everyone!
⑨Keep in touch with the post-docs in your groups, jobs?
⑩Keep in touch with your students
++ PART 2
USING NETWORKS
TO DEVELOP
RESEARCH IDEAS
++ Where do ideas come from?
small
group
discussion
++ Where do ideas come from?
conferences, seminars
actual time out to sit down and think
out of the blue
reading the literature
serendipitous discoveries
talking to others
talking to my PI
using creativity tools
in the night
taking small steps and building
applying knowledge to new areas
getting feedback
++ combining our own research:
3 synergies?
3 people
quick fire
ideas
discussion
++ How can we creatively
combine our own research?
group mini
presentations of
3 initial
collaborative
ideas
++ How do I know my idea is
mine and keep it?
small
group
discussion
++ How do I know my idea is
mine, and keep it?
check out what my university says
what are the local IP rules?
talk to my colleagues
Keep discussions written
literature search – been done?
Talk to my PI openly
Record verbal discussions
Google it for safety
Be prepared to negotiate
write ideas down keep records
Clarify the differences
Look for synergies / opportunities
++ How will you now start to
develop your research ideas
paired
discussion
of
3 actions