Spotlight on...

Shining a spotlight on some of our latest researcher development opportunities and resources...

 

Opportunities for the Autumn term 2025

We've been busy over the summer developing a new programme of RIKE researcher development opportunities, supporting our five core development themes for Huddersfield researchers and Vitae's Researcher Development Framework. Take a look at what we have on offer, including:

• Reflections for Researchers (monthly sessions to support reflective practice, starting again in September 2025).
• 'Research Funding Ready' - a series of 3 sessions taking you from vision to submission (29 October, 12 November and 26 November 2025).
• Introduction to Pure (30 October 2025) - for all academic staff with a Pure profile.
• How to engage with policy makers - an introductory online session delivered by IfG Academy (15 October 2025).
• Design Thinking for researchers - a one day workshop for creative problem solving, delivered by Skillfluence (18 November 2025). [Read more about Design Thinking for Research Impact].

All our courses are available to view and book via the drop-down menu at the top of the RIKE Training & Development page.

 

British Academy Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network

The British Academy ECR Network was first established in Autumn 2021 and is launching in the Yorkshire & Humber region in September 2025. It's an inclusive, researcher-led network for UK-based early career researchers working in the humanities and social sciences. The aim is to give researchers opportunities to develop their skills and provide additional experiences to enhance career development, whether inside or outside of academia. We'll share more details of the specific activities and opportunities available for ECRs in SHAPE disciplines as these become available.

You can find out more, check the eligibility criteria and sign up to join the network through the British Academy ECR Network webpage.

 

Resource of the month - Vitae's Researcher Development Framework

This month our spotlight is on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) which has been refreshed for 2025 and is being formally relaunched in September 2025 for the 2025-26 academic year. The RDF describes the values, skills and behaviours of effective researchers and is a useful resource for taking control of your own professional and career development. The updated framework is structured around three domains (researcher, research and research communities) and places researchers and people at the heart. If you'd like to spend a bit more time exploring the RDF, why not book onto our new session, 'The development-focused researcher', on 7 October 2025.