Activities and events

The ECRC holds regular formal meetings. While the Associate Dean (Research) attended the meetings in the past, since the beginning of 2025 a mid-career researcher has been attending as a mentor to the Committee. These meetings provide a forum to discuss issues, share updates, and work collaboratively to find solutions that support ECRs across the Business School. They also serve as a space to plan upcoming ECR events. By staying connected, addressing challenges, and celebrating successes, these meetings foster a strong sense of belonging, empowerment, and community among ECRs in our faculty.

The ECR Symposium is an annual event designed to connect, inspire, and support emerging researchers. Bringing together early career academics from across the Business School, the symposium offers a mix of engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities. Participants can learn about the work of our Research Centres and Research Beacons, exchange ideas in collaborative roundtable sessions, and hear practical advice from experienced academics on building a scholarly identity, developing research networks, and navigating the challenges of academic life. With plenty of time for informal conversation over refreshments, the symposium provides a welcoming space to share research, spark collaborations, and strengthen our early career researcher community.

The ECR Writing Retreat is designed to give ECRs the time, space, and support to focus on their writing and advance their research goals. Across two productive days, participants engage in dedicated writing sessions alongside professional development activities, such as panels on publishing in high-impact journals, navigating peer review, and building research visibility. Set in a peaceful location away from campus, the retreat also offers opportunities to network, share ideas, and connect with fellow ECRs in a relaxed environment. With a balance of focused work, expert guidance, and community building, the retreat helps ECRs make meaningful progress on their projects while strengthening their academic networks.

The ECR Job Market Workshop supports PhD students, postdocs, and Professional Teaching Fellows aspiring to secure research-active positions, as well as ECRs seeking to prepare their students for the academic job market. Featuring speakers from across departments and guests from industry, the workshop offers first-hand insights from those who have successfully navigated this competitive process. Rather than replacing formal guidelines from the School of Graduate Studies, it complements them with personal experiences, practical tips, and candid advice rarely found in official resources. Organised annually by the ECR Committee, the workshop is well-attended and fosters knowledge-sharing that helps position our graduates for success both within academia and beyond.

The ECRC hosts regular catch-ups for all ECRs with coffee and cake in the Toroa Collab Lounge on Level 3 in the Business School. These monthly gatherings are a great way to meet fellow ECRs in a relaxed setting. Keep an eye on your inbox for the next invitation — all ECRs in the Business School are warmly welcome!