Researchers from Universitat Ramon Llull in Barcelona and University of Oxford are undertaking an international study on the challenges and successes in developing as a researcher. They are looking to interview doctoral researchers studying in the UK, in their 2nd year and beyond, on this topic. If you would be interested in being involved, please contact Mariona Corcelles (MarionaCS@blanquerna.url.edu) from the research team directly. Further information about the project can be found below.
The overall purpose of this project is to create online resources for early career researchers in Europe. To achieve this, a four phase strategy is being used. The two first phases consist of empirical studies analysing the conceptions of early career researchers in Spain, the UK and Finland in relation to what it means to investigate and effectively communicate their research.
The first of these studies, now completed, was an international survey in order to establish profiles based on early career researchers’ perceptions of past training, and conceptions of what it means to investigate and communicate in the social sciences. The second study, in progress, is interview-based and aims to explore in greater detail the profiles identified in the first phase. The third phase includes the design and piloting of an educational programme drawing on the findings, and the fourth phase will be devoted to the design, launch and managing of a digital space which builds on all three previous phases. It will include, for instance, a social network entitled “A Researcher like Me”, where researchers can manage their experiences, with the objective of creating a support community for early career researchers.