Update from Vitae Researcher Networks Working Group

As the Working Group enters its second phase of activity, it is now seeking the Vitae community’s collective knowledge and examples of practice, including case studies, to be included in a ‘Toolbox for developing and sustaining effective Researcher Networks.’ 

Envisaged as a living resource on the Vitae website, the 'Toolbox' will have the potential to be updated, adding evidence from the community to examples of good practice and will be signposted for different stakeholders: Researcher Development Advisors, managers of researchers and the researcher community.

Building on the publications developed by the UKRSA, this ‘Toolbox’ will consist primarily of case study exemplars so that colleagues based at institutions of differing demographics across the sector will be able to scan and browse case studies that are relevant to the stakeholders whose needs they are trying to meet. These case studies will be presented in a format that aids colleagues to develop and sustain researcher networks with the following in mind:

o Communication with the researcher community - meetings, opportunities and activities

o Inclusivity - engagement with diverse, disparate and hard to reach communities

o Sustainability of networks - legacy planning

o Targeted dissemination of network outcomes

o Induction activities for researchers new to the institution or organisation

If you have a case study which you would like to be considered for inclusion, we will shortly be releasing a form for submissions. Please do share this call with colleagues across your institutions and networks so that we can cast a wide net to capture as many exemplars of researcher network as possible.

Dr Saneeya Qureshi, co-Chair of Vitae Researcher Networks working group & Head of Researcher Development and Culture, The Academy, University of Liverpool

Twitter: @SaneeyaQ

Credit: poster image created by Dr Angela Midgley for Vitae Connections Week 2020