GW4

GW4 Early Career Symposia Scheme

*2020 scheme now closed*

The GW4 Alliance is piloting an exciting initiative to bring together Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to deliver a series of flagship PGR- and ECR-led symposia. Based on the highly successful GW4 Early Career Neuroscience Day, we aim to create a space where PGRs and ECRs can showcase their research, gain experience in managing the delivery of a symposium, broaden their networks and form new collaborative, cross-cohort interdisciplinary research communities.

This year, the GW4 symposia will focus on three themes:

  • Creative Economy
  • Climate
  • Antimicrobial Resistance.

We encourage a broad interpretation of these themes to harness a wide range of expertise and interests to ensure diverse and stimulating events which reflect the breadth of research excellence across GW4. If you are a GW4 PGR or ECR with an interest in any of the above themes and are interested in this exciting development opportunity, we would like to hear from you!

How to apply

To express an interest in participating please fill out this linked form.

Deadline for expressions of interest has been extended to midday on Tuesday 18 February 2020.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to get in touch with us at talentandskills@gw4.ac.uk.

Eligibility

To be eligible you will be a PGR or ECR at Bath, Bristol, Cardiff or Exeter universities.

You will be expected to take part in an introductory sandpit workshop (one per theme) in Bristol where successful applicants will meet and share ideas. The sandpit will be facilitated by an expert in collaboration and interdisciplinary research to establish successful foundations for each event.   During the sandpit, you will network with other participants to identify an organising theme for the symposium (one per theme) based on the interests and expertise of participants. You will also discuss the key challenges of organising a symposium, identify potential members of the symposium’s management team, and begin a plan of action for the event.

The outcomes of the sandpits will be the organisation of a management team for each symposium, as well as a preliminary outline of each programme. Participation in the sandpit event is a requirement of eligibility to join the management team. We expect the sandpits to be held in Bristol on:

  • Creative Economy: 28 February 2020
  • Climate: 16 March 2020
  • Antimicrobial Resistance: 30 March 2020

Funding will be made available for travel and, if required, accommodation.

It is intended that the symposia will take place in early summer. The delivery of these symposia will be led by the PGR and ECR management team in terms of topics, content and speakers, and supported, where necessary, by the GW4 Talent and Skills team.

We expect to award each symposium up to £2500 towards the organisation and delivery of the event. The management team of each symposium will be expected to submit a short report on their event by the end of July.