Establishing networks

Networking is a vital skill. It can help you to:

• exchange information and keep up-to-date with new developments
• secure personal, political or managerial support for your work
• identify potential areas for collaboration
• establish disciplinary, cross-disciplinary, cross-institutional and cross-sector special interest groups
• get published
• explore career options.

Networking is a two-way process - giving support and information as well as seeking it.

You already have a network comprising work colleagues, friends, family, ‘friends of friends', etc. Networking skills help you to deliberately extend your network. Networking can take place:

• at conferences and other meetings
• via online discussion groups
• by participating in an activity of common interest.

There is also some evidence that social networking sites, such as MySpace, are beginning to be used for work-based networking.

Effective networking requires some planning:

• What type of people do you want to network with, and for what purpose?
• How will you encourage them to network with you? - what can you offer them?; how can you appeal to their good nature?
• Where will you go to meet them? - conferences?; meetings?
• How will they remember you? - do you need to get a business card printed?
• How will you store their details? - database of contacts?; address book?; business card holder?; notebook?
• Remember, you can help other people to network too by introducing them to your contacts.

If there is no existing forum for you to meet the people that you want to network with, consider setting one up. Most research councils offer competitive funding for individuals/groups of individuals to set up research seminars. Some institutions offer similar opportunities. Consult your research council or university website for more information.  Here are two examples, one from a research council, one from an institution:

• ESRC Research Seminars Competition  
  
• University of Warwick's Postdoctoral Workshop Fellowship Competition