Health Early Career Researcher Forum

A network for researchers and clinicians establishing health-related research
Health biomedical Getty
We are a diverse, interdisciplinary group of early career researchers who work in an academic and/or health and social care setting. We are committed to career development, support and training to develop the research leaders of the future.
The Health Early Career Research Forum has been set up to help ECRs:
Network: Meet other ECRs and share experiences in a supportive space.
Collaborate: Establish shared interests and collaborations across disciplines and research settings.
Support: Find support and training for ECR research and career development.
Represent: ECR interests and strengthen the ECR presence in health-related research.
Celebrate and promote health-related ECR research.
Our concordat sets out the commitment of the University of Plymouth to supporting the career development of researchers.

Am I a Health ECR? 

We recognise that different routes and varied career paths may lead to an independent research career, so adopt a flexible definition of ECR for the Forum:
  • you consider yourself to be at an early stage in your research activities
  • you are undertaking, embarking on, or aspiring towards health-related research in any discipline
  • you may be at any career level from graduate onwards, in an academic and/or health and social care setting.

To join the forum and receive updates and invitations to forum events:

Either contact PIHRsupport@plymouth.ac.uk from your University of Plymouth email address.

Or provide an external (e.g. NHS) email address by completing our web form.

Research themes

  • Brain and Mind

  • Health across the Life Course

  • Digital Health

  • Frontiers in Discovery Science

Useful links and resources

General interest and resources
Health ECR Forum 28 November 2023: “Research Impact session for ECRs” presentation recording and slides available on Moodle (UoP log-in required).
Health ECR Forum 15 June 2023: “Academy of Medical Sciences information session for ECRs” presentation recording and slides available on Moodle (UoP log-in required). 
Health ECR Forum 28 March 2023: “MRC information session for ECRs” presentation slides available on Moodle (UoP log-in required).
Health ECR forum 18 February 2022: “Conducting research in the NHS” presentation by Research and Development, Plymouth Hospitals. Recording available on Moodle (UoP log-in required).
Health ECR forum 30 September 2021: “International research” presentation by Professor Jos Latour, Professor in Clinical Nursing. Recording available on Moodle (UoP log-in required).
Health ECR forum 15 July 2021: “Simple steps towards developing your research career” presentation by Professor Sheena Asthana, Professor of Health Policy and Director of Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research. Recording available on Moodle (UoP log-in required).
The Research Whisperer (General, International focus)
If you are on Facebook, these two accounts are both proactive with forums for asking questions, sharing knowledge and resources and seeking support:
  • PhD OWLs (Older, Wise Learners)
  • Healthcare Professionals in Research
Tara Brabazon is the Dean of Graduate Research at Flinders University, Australia. She has produced over 200 vlogs (video blogs) covering topics related to postgraduate research, available to view at: www.youtube.com/user/TaraBrabazon 
The Academy of Medical Sciences has created a new career ‘support space’ on their website for biomedical and health researchers during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
myIDP – a unique, web-based career-planning tool tailored to meet the needs of PhD students and post doctorates in the sciences
The RDF is a professional development framework for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers in higher education. It articulates the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of successful researchers and encourages them to realise their potential.
Elsevier Researcher Academy – Free e-learning resources for researchers.

Writing and presentation skills external links
Patter by Pat Thompson (focus on writing, especially for PhD and ECRs)
Raul Pacheco-Vega (focus on writing with tips for organising work)
Echo Rivera (focus on presentation and communication skills)
A resource for writing in turbulent times – 5 Strategies for writing in turbulent times
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