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Network

Early Career Researcher Network

The BERA 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. 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 BERA 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, and a dedicated Twitter account (@BERA_ECRNetwork) – to events designed specifically to meet the needs of this community, such as the Network’s annual symposia series and writing for publication workshops. The ECR Network also provides bursaries to enable ECRs to access developmental opportunities – such as the Event Funding Scheme – as well as offering awards to recognise the exemplary work that is undertaken within the field, including the Masters Dissertation Award and Doctoral Thesis Award.

Twitter: @BERA_ECRNetwork

 

Network Convenors

Profile picture of Sin-Wang Chong
Sin-Wang Chong, Professor

Director of Impact and Innovation at University of St Andrews

Sin Wang (Ph.D., SFHEA, FRSA) is Director of Impact and Innovation, and Affiliated TESOL Scholar at the International Education Institute, University of St Andrews and Head of Evidence Synthesis at the National Institute of Teaching in England....

Profile picture of Leanne Henderson
Leanne Henderson, Dr

Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast

Leanne Henderson is a lecturer in education studies in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research centres on young people’s educational trajectories and transitions. She was...

Profile picture of Gihan Ismail
Gihan Ismail, Mrs

PhD researcher at University of Bath

Gihan Ismail is a doctoral researcher at the department of education, University of Bath, and her research explores the interplay of knowledge, power and ethics in doctoral education with a focus on the sociology of difference, culture and...

Profile picture of Brittany Wright
Brittany Wright, Mrs

ESRC-funded doctoral student at University of Nottingham

Brittany Wright is the Early Career Researcher Network Regional Rep for the Midlands. Brittany Wright is an ESRC-funded doctoral student in the School of Education at the University of Nottingham. Her research explores women’s experiences of...

Regional Reps

Profile picture of Rebekah Ackroyd
Rebekah Ackroyd, Ms

Lecturer in Education at University of Cumbria

Rebekah Ackroyd is the Early Career Researcher Network Regional Rep for the North of England. Rebekah is a lecturer in education at the University of Cumbria working on postgraduate provision. Her PhD research examines how teachers of Religious...

Profile picture of Yan Zhu
Yan Zhu, Dr

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...

Profile picture of Alysean Banks
Alysean Banks, Mr

Doctoral Researcher (EdD) and EDI Project Coordinator at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Alysean Banks is the ECR Network Regional Representative for Wales. Alysean is an Equality & Diversity Project Coordinator, Co-Chair of the BAME Staff Network, and a Doctoral Researcher working towards the Professional Doctorate in Education...

Profile picture of Lisa Reed
Lisa Reed, Dr

Lecturer in Teacher Education at University of Dundee

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...

Profile picture of Nicola Marlow
Nicola Marlow, Dr

Lecturer in Education at Ulster University

Nicola is the regional rep for Northern Ireland. Nicola is a lecturer in Education and course director of the PGCE English with Drama and Media Studies programme at Ulster University. Her research interests include writing pedagogy and how...

Content associated with this SIG

The ECR Journey: At Crossroads of Becoming

5 Jun 2024 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

On this 2nd ECR Annual Conference we continue to celebrate the ECR journeys and welcome educational researchers and practitioners to join us in Leeds. This is a great opportunity to disseminate...

Upcoming event

BERA Doctoral Thesis Award

Closes 17 Jan 2024

Every year BERA recognises academic excellence and rigour in research by a Doctoral student. This underscores BERA’s commitment to championing educational research, and celebrating and recognise...

Doctoral

AwardOpen

BERA Masters Dissertation Award

Closes 17 Jan 2024

Every year BERA recognises academic excellence and rigour in research by a Master of Education student. This underscores BERA’s commitment to championing educational research, and celebrating...

Masters

AwardOpen

How to develop more reach for your research

3 Nov 2023 9:30 am - 4:30 pm

We are excited to host a BERA ECR conference at Ulster University in Belfast, Northern Ireland on November 3rd, 2023. This conference offers a range of strategies to ensure your research has...

Upcoming event

ECR Coffee Hour

Come along to the BERA ECR Network’s coffee hour during which time you’ll have the opportunity to find out more about the ECR Network and its activities as well as getting to know a little...

ECR coffee hour

Past event20 Sep 2023