oUC2: Navigating the research maze: Creating sustainable research cultures for early career researchers
Thriving research cultures are integral for developing researchers’ methodological knowledge and research profile. However, the current climate of financial insecurity across the higher education sector has compounded time constraints, subsequently creating challenges to devoting precious time to learning and developing new research, methods, and collaborations. This is particularly challenging for early career researchers who are trying to upskill in research methods, learning to teach and create an emerging research profile. In this unconference, we will discuss approaches we have taken at the University of Dundee, Scotland, noting successes and the challenges encountered. For example, department-wide weekly research seminars, brown bag sessions, writing groups and building a research community into teaching via poster mini conferences. We also invite other researchers to contribute to a conversation about their challenges and what has worked (or not) to help build a broad and thriving research community that fosters researcher development and interdisciplinary collaboration.