Network
The Â鶹ÒùÔº Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network aims to offer support to those who are in the process of completing their masters or doctorate in education, as well as those who have completed their studies within the past 5 years, or longer if including a career break. It seeks to meet the needs of not only those who are pursuing studies and/or careers as researchers within Higher Education, but also those who are practitioners seeking to undertake research to support their development.
The principal objectives of the ECR Network are to provide opportunities for early career researchers (ECRs) to engage with their peers to develop their knowledge and skills; to network and collaborate; and to be connected with Â鶹ÒùÔº and the broader academic community within education. The ECR Network accomplishes this in a number of ways, from targeted correspondence with ECRs – including its termly newsletters, routine features within Research Intelligence, to events designed specifically to meet the needs of this community, such as the Network’s annual symposia series and ECR Conference.
The ECR Network also provides bursaries to enable ECRs to access developmental opportunities such as the Career Development Scheme – as well as offering awards to recognise high quality work that is undertaken within the wider research community, including the Undergraduate Award, Masters Dissertation Award and Doctoral Thesis Award.
This symposium series explores the often-overlooked but essential dimension of research: working with people. From supervisors and collaborators to participants and co-authors, research is...
The ECR Conference is an annual event to support those who are in the process of completing their masters or doctorate in education, as well as those who have completed their studies within the...
Every issue of Â鶹ÒùÔº’s Research Intelligence magazine features a contribution from the Early Career Network. Explore the 2025 ECR features below.
Trust CPD Lead, L.E.A.D. Academy Trust at University of Nottingham
Dr Brittany Wright is Trust CPD Lead for L.E.A.D. Academy Trust, leading professional development across 27 primary and secondary schools. She is also an Expert Advisor on reading for the Department for Education and a Convenor for Â鶹ÒùÔº’s Early...
Senior Lecturer in Education at University of Cumbria
Rebekah Ackroyd is a convenor of the Early Career Researcher Network. Rebekah is a senior lecturer in education at the University of Cumbria working on postgraduate provision. Her PhD examined how teachers of Religious Education (RE) construct...
Lecturer of Teacher Education at Sheffield Hallam University
Joe is a Lecturer in Teacher Education and an Associate Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. His EdD research at the University of Sheffield explores teacher identity formation in FE ITE. He's also a Fellow of the HEA, an external examiner,...
Lecturer in Teacher Education at N/A
Lisa is the ECR Network Regional Representative for Scotland Lisa is a lecturer and ECR in Teacher Education at the University of Dundee. She was awarded her doctorate from the University of Cumbria in 2021, which is focused on the importance of...
Lecturer in Education at University of Ulster
Nicola Marlow is the Regional Representative for Northern Ireland and a Lecturer in Education at Ulster University, where she is Course Director for the PGCE English with Drama and Media Studies programme. She also serves as the School of...
Research Officer at Welsh Government
Rhianna Murphy is a Research Officer. She is also former primary school teacher, with experience teaching in Spain and England. Her research interests focus on curriculum development and teacher agency. During her master’s degree, she started...
Lecturer in Education Studies at University College London
Yan is the ECR Regional Rep for the South East. Yan is a Lecturer in Education Studies at University College London. Yan was a Teaching Fellow in Childhood Studies and Programme Leader for MA Childhood Studies at the University of Leeds after she...
PhD Researcher at University of Glasgow
I am a James McCune Smith Scholar and PhD researcher within the School of Education at the University of Glasgow. My research is situated at the vital intersections of race, gender, and class, with a specific focus on the lived experiences of...
Depute Head Teacher at studying at University of Strathclyde
Chris is a ECR Network Regional Representative for Scotland. He is a depute head in a secondary school in Scotland and is currently completing his EdD at the University of Strathclyde where he is focusing on standardised testing in Scotland's...