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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, 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 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 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. 

Twitter: @BERA_ECRNetwork

Network Convenors

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

Director of Research & Director of Impact and Innovation at University of St Andrews

Sin Wang (Ph.D., SFHEA, FRSA) is Director of Research and Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute, University of St Andrews. Concurrently, he is Honorary Research Professor, Head of...

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 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...

Profile picture of Rebekah Ackroyd
Rebekah Ackroyd, Dr

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 examined 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 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...

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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

BERA Doctoral Thesis Award

Closes 22 Jan 2025

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 22 Jan 2025

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

ECR Coffee Hour – Autumn 2024

8 Nov 2024 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

This BERA ECR Network’s coffee hour will give you the opportunity to find out more about the ECR Network and its activities as well as get to know a little more about the team behind it. There...

Upcoming eventVirtual