Building connections: Peer learning for researcher developers across Europe
Develop international connections and share learning on researcher careers
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme within the framework of the ERA TALENT Project funded under grant agreement No 101103476.
We invited those involved in supporting researchers across Europe to apply to be part of a new peer learning programme!
This peer learning program will facilitate cross-border connections among those with responsibility for supporting researchers with their career and professional development across Europe.
The aim of the program is for participants to have the opportunity to share practice, discuss key challenges, and learn from each other.
There will be a focus specifically on exchanging knowledge on supporting researchers transition into careers outside of academia, but peer groups are welcome to set the agenda for their own discussions based on their interests.
What are the aims of the programme?
- To facilitate international networking and practice sharing between researcher developers, especially on supporting researchers with transitions beyond academia
- To provide a safe space for sharing experiences and challenges
- To facilitate problem-solving through supportive peer groups
- To enable sharing of knowledge and practice across organisations and between countries
What is the commitment required?
We ask that participants commit to full participation, including:
- Attending the induction meeting
- Participating in three meetings with their group
- Contribute to organising and facilitating their circles
- Ensuring equitable, inclusive and accessible participation with their group
It is suggested that groups meet online 3 times during the course of the programme.
Participants were matched into small learning groups of between 3-5. An induction event will introduce the programme and offer some guidance on how to organise your sessions. Groups will be encouraged to meet three times over the course of the programme.
The pilot was open to anyone in an active role developing researchers who works at a research performing organisation.
The programme is focused on building connections within Europe. If your organisation is outside of Europe, please contact us. We may still be able to include you depending on numbers.
We recognise that job titles and exact roles for ‘researcher developers’ vary greatly across the sector – indeed, understanding how these roles differ across the world will be a key outcome of the programme.
An induction event will introduce the scheme in more detail and provide some guidance on running your groups. Individual groups will be given autonomy on exactly how they wish to run the group and when they meet. They will need to set up calls themselves and let the Vitae team know when they are planned. Vitae will also act as the contact point for any questions, issues or feedback. There will be a debriefing session to provide a chance to discuss the scheme and any next steps.
Researcher careers across borders: supporting careers beyond academia webinar
As part of this project we held a webinar in November 2024 to share international approaches to how researchers are supported to explore careers beyond academia.
It aimed to bring researcher development professionals from across Europe together to discuss:
- What does this transition look like in different countries
- What works and doesn’t work in supporting researchers to navigate researcher careers
- Innovative approaches to supporting researchers
- How researchers are supported on the ‘other side’
During the event we heard from:
- Johanna Stadlbauer – Head of the Postdoc Office at the University of Graz, Austria
- Teresa Rosas – Academic Talent and EDI Officer, CREAF, Barcelona
- Developing Business Aware Academics project, Centre for Innovation in Business Education at the University of Exeter, UK
- Xavier Eekhout Chicharro – EU Project Manager – Researcher Career Development and Mobility at Fundación Española para la Ciencia y la Tecnología, FECYT
