The LSE Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network is open to all staff who identify as early-career with regards to their research and are typically within 10 years of their PhD award date. The Network encourages LSE Fellows, and Policy and Research Staff as well as Faculty to join.
The ECR Network aims to:
- Build a community for peer-to-peer learning, support and interaction
- Empower ECRs to co-develop training and events at LSE
- Contribute to the Researcher Development Concordat and amplify ECR voices and representation
Why should you join?
The Network is an initiative set up for ECRs and will be run by ECRs. Membership provides the opportunity to engage with peers across LSE to share and develop research knowledge and skills, network and collaborate, and stay connected to research and innovation support available at the School and the broader academic environment.
How to get involved?
To join the ECR Network membership on Teams, please click here.
We also host a private LinkedIn Group, which you can join here.
The Network is a sub-group of the Research Policy Staff Committee.
Steering Commitee
Please see the members of the Steering Committee below.
Network Activities
NEW ECR Network Development Fund
In the 2025-26 academic year, this new Development Fund provides Network members with up to £300 towards:
- Conference attendance,
- Skill-building via specialised training or workshops that are unavailable at LSE,
- Professional Association membership fees.
ECRs between Bands 5 – 7 on fixed-term or open-ended subject to funding contracts with a minimum 2-years of continuous service are eligible to apply. For more information including eligibility and how to apply, see HERE.
Changemakers Programme
Round 2 Projects
In May 2024, the ECR Network launched Round 2 for peer-led projects which contribute to the priority areas of the ECR Network, including:
- Developing community
- Developing research, support, and mentorship
- Communicating teaching practice
- ECR experiences
One project was selected and one project was renewed from Round 1 with the goal to make distinct contribution to the future direction and development of the Network.
Led by Dr Moé Suzuki, LSE100
This project investigated the experiences of ECRs at LSE who are racialised as ‘non-white’ in order to identify good practice and areas for improvement in relation to research, teaching, and community-building at LSE. Although LSE collects Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion data, they tell little about how racialised ECRs experience the institution. Qualitative data focusing on their narratives and experiences can thus shed light on the specific barriers they may face, as well as good practice they have encountered at LSE or elsewhere. Such findings can then be used by LSE to create an institution where racialised ECRs can thrive. While recognising the limitations of the term ‘racialised’, it has the benefit of being able to capture as many experiences as possible within this broad category.
Co-led by Dr Ewa Majczak, Department of Media and Communication and Dr Pooya Ghoddousi, Department of Geography and Environment
Round 2 of the Opening Lines: Book Writing Collective offered an additional phase of support consisting of a two-day writing retreat and one-to-one writing mentoring sessions over the Autumn Term 2024 for the existing cohort.
Additionally, further one-to-one writing mentoring sessions were offered for up to 24 new ECR participants to support their professional development and book-writing progression.
Dr Jenny Chamarette offers supportive feedback on a piece of writing as well as tailored suggestions on how to identify and overcome blockages to your writing in view of sustaining commitment to it in the long run and despite other academic pressures and precarities in ECR life.
Round 1 Projects
In February 2023, the ECR Network opened a Round 1: Call for Applications for peer-led projects to contribute to the priority areas of the ECR Network, including:
- Enhancing ECR career development including supporting grant funding
- Mapping what it means to be an ECR
- Building Community among ECRs
- Developing best practice and cases studies to guide ECRs in research and teaching
Four projects were selected with the goal to make distinct contributions to the future direction and development of the Network.
Led by Dr Jasmine Virhia, Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science
This investigation is the first formal attempt to understand what it means to be an early career researcher (ECR). The term is used with increased frequency across the UK (and beyond), yet the precise contours of what it means to be an ECR at UK institutions remain elusive. Through interviews and focus groups with researchers now defined as ECRs at LSE, this research seeks to map the multiple experiences of being an ECR. It is invested in how diverse and intersectional researcher identities constitute the ECR category.
View the full report.
Co-led Dr Marion Lieutaud, Department of Methodology and Dr Lukas Slothuus, LSE100
This project will increase the understanding of what life is like as an ECR at LSE and build community among ECRs. Specifically, we will work with original, School-wide quantitative survey data so as to document working conditions, working life, and links to life outside of work. This analysis will cover categories of workers which have thus far been analysed in separation: 1. Fellows, Teaching Fellows, Research Fellows, Guest Lecturers, etc. and 2. GTAs and Class Teachers. This will provide essential and updated quantitative information to better document and monitor the experience of early-career and casualised workers at LSE. The only information and reports available at present have been constructed through volunteer work and limited in scope and ambition by the lack of financial support. This project will address this issue.
Led by Dr Ewa Majczak, Department of Media and Communication
Writing a single author's book is a key informal requirement for permanent positions in many departments. However, writing the first book and dealing with key steps in the publishing process relies on informal networks and can be an opaque process. Moreover, writing a book can be a solitary activity, which can be difficult to commit to given the competing demands of professional academic life.
Opening Lines is an inclusive writing, research and professional development programme supporting up to 12 early career scholars who are starting to write their first book. It guides them through the process with an external coach who acts as the programme director, Dr Jenny Chamarette, with a view to fostering long-term supportive peer relationships for the first monograph and beyond. The goal is to have a first manuscript draft accomplished at the end of the 18 month programme. The group will gather weekly during three phased blocks for practical workshops, group feedback and writing sessions, one to one writing mentoring, and discussions around writing book manuscripts.
If you have any questions contact ewa.majczak@lse.ac.uk.
Co-led by Jayeeta Rajagopalan and Dr Magdalena Walbaum, Care Policy and Evaluation Centre
Research Cafés, running throughout Spring and Summer term will provide an opportunity for ECRs across the school to engage in discussions regarding cutting edge academic research on topic areas of interest. A total of 4 research cafés will be organized, allowing ECR network members to present their research, which will then be followed by open discussion and conversation.
Upcoming Events
Writing Circles
Writing Circles are designed to provide dedicated time to progress writing projects in a supportive environment. So join us online and hunker down together to block out time for writing.
ECR Network Summit
Part 1: Writing Workshop: Creating a Positive and Sustainable Writing Practice
A focused retreat to support early-career researchers in developing productive and sustainable writing habits facilitated by Dr Catherine Davidson. This half-day writing retreat is designed for early-career researchers (post-PhD) who are establishing their academic writing practices.
The session combines structured writing time, guided reflection, and peer engagement to support participants in making meaningful progress on their current projects while developing realistic, sustainable approaches to writing.
The emphasis is on low-pressure productivity, encouraging participants to focus on progress rather than perfection.
Part 2: ECR Career Pathways
Featuring a panel discussion about various ECR career pathways and structured peer learning/networking, followed by a social mixer. More information to follow!
SIGN-UP TODAY to book your place. We look forward to seeing some of you there!
Past Events
The ECR Network celebrated its official launch with a Launch Event on Wednesday 12th October on the LSE campus, co-hosted by the Pro-Director for Research, Prof Susana Mourato and the Inaugural Chair of the Network, Dr Elizabeth Storer.
The ECR Network hosted its first event of 2024 with an opportunity for the LSE research community to meet the Network's Steering Committee and peers across LSE, to learn about the ECR Network's Changemakers Programme projects.
WHEN: 31 January 2024, 16:30 - 19:00
WHERE: Shaw Library, 6th Floor, Old Building, LSE campus
Agenda
- 16:30 Event Start – Networking
- 17:00 Introductions from ECR Network Steering Committee
- 17:15 Introduction from Grace McConnell, Deputy Director of LSE Research & Innovation
- 17:20 Introduction from Joshua Mead, Research Culture Manager, KCL and British Academy ECRN London Cluster representative
- 17:25 Changemakers Programme report
- 18:00 Introduction to Research Support Services at LSE
- 18:10 Networking
- 19:00 Event Close
In collaboration with the RISe Programme 2024-25, the LSE ECR Network offered three workshops from award-winning writer James Moran, featuring exclusive advice from academic publishers and writing tips from fifteen years of professional writing experience. James' workshops are always in heavy demand with limited spaces, so book now to avoid disappointment.
Other ECR activities
The LSE Fellows Network is a space for LSE Fellows, Teaching Fellows, Policy Fellows/Officers, Research Fellows/Officers, and postdocs at LSE to socialise, represent our collective interests, and engage in career development. The Fellows Network was set up in 2021 and encourages grassroots participation and a flat organisational structure. Members of the Network run an annual survey of the working conditions of Fellows and organise regular social events together.
Anyone who fits into any of the above categories can join the Network’s WhatsApp group and participate, as well as put on their own events and initiatives.