- About
- Programme 2018
- Past Events
- ECR Women's Network
- CRASSH Mentoring Programme
- Being a Research Leader Programme 2018
About
The CRASSH Post-Doctoral Researcher Forum supports researchers in Arts, Humanities and Social Science at Cambridge, offering post-doc specific resources for career development and intellectual invigoration. Here you can:
- Meet and engage with other postdocs and visiting scholars, including visiting Humanitas and Mellon Professors at CRASSH
- Take up opportunities for expanding skills, horizons and thinking – on careers, research trajectories and contexts, methodologies
- Explore what it is you want from your experience at Cambridge – whether that’s becoming a better researcher and more persuasive thinker, understanding how to navigate University systems and process, becoming confident in research leadership, or considering new and emerging career paths
- Find a space for lively and intelligent exchange in an interdisciplinary context
The forum programme includes workshops and seminars addressing pressing questions in our disciplines (such as open access publishing or crafting those ever-present research narratives); roundtable events where we meet and talk with senior scholars on broad-based topics; and a competitive, post-doctoral thematic research group scheme (open at the end of January). In addition, the forum initiated the PhD/Postdoc Mentoring Scheme to support doctoral students as they negotiate the challenges of a rigorous and sometimes isolating academic programme; and to help post-docs become knowledgeable, experienced mentors.
Previous Forum Conveners
Dr Alison Wood (Mellon/Newton Research Fellow, CRASSH)
Dr John Regan (Research Associate, CRASSH)
We also host the Early Career Researchers mailing list, the official announcement list for any events run by the forum. Suggestions for events or other ways of supporting postdoctoral researchers are very welcome. Please contact Michelle Maciejewska for further updates about this programme.
The Postdoctoral Researcher Forum is a joint initiative of CRASSH and the Schools of Humanities & Social Sciences and Arts & Humanities
Past Events
Programme 2016-17
Michaelmas Term 2016
Tuesday 15 November 2016
Becoming a Research Leader Workshop 1: The Personal and Academic Landscape
Lent Term 2017
Wednesday 25 January 2017
Becoming a Research Leader Workshop 2: Principled and Self Aware Leadership
Thursday 23 February 2017
Becoming a Research Leader Workshop 3: Working Productively with Others
Friday 24 February 2017
An Introduction to Mentoring
Programme 2015-16
Michaelmas Term 2015
Monday 12 October
Becoming a Research Leader: Know the Landscape (closed seminar)
Wednesday 14 October
Getting Connected in Cambridge AHSS: Insights and Opportunities for Research Staff
Wednesday 14 October
Michaelmas Term Welcome Lunch
Thursday 5 November
Becoming a Research Leader: Know Yourself (closed seminar)
Thursday 3 December
Becoming a Research Leader: Know about Others (closed seminar)
Lent Term 2016
Getting Connected in Cambridge AHSS: Insights and Opportunities for Research Staff
Monday 14 March 2016
Writing and Winning the Large Programme Grant
Easter Term 2016
Thursday 21 April
Becoming an Expert Consultant
Tuesday 17 May
Writing and Winning the Large Programme Grant, Part II
Thursday 3 June
Introduction to Mentoring
Past Events
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Welcome Lunch for Cambridge Postdocs 15 Oct 2014 12:30pm - 2:00pm, Atrium, Ground Floor, Alison Richard Building CRASSH Postdoctoral Researcher Forum welcome lunch |
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Talking on Television 11 Nov 2014 4:00pm - 5:30pm, CLAS Meeting Room, ARB Postdoctoral Researcher Forum Seminar |
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Talking to Publishers 26 Nov 2014 4:00pm - 6:00pm, CLAS Meeting Room, ARB Postdoctoral Researcher Forum Seminar |
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Postdoctoral Researcher Forum New Year Drinks 21 Jan 2015 5:30pm - 7:00pm, The Atrium, Alison Richard Building A Postdoctoral Resarcher Forum event |
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What do I work on? 12 Feb 2015 11:30am - 1:00pm, CRASSH Meeting Room, Alison Richard Building A Postdoctoral Researcher Forum Event |
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Talking on Social Media 26 Feb 2015 12:00pm - 1:30pm, S2 Alison Richard Building |
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Getting Connected in Cambridge AHSS: Insights and Opportunities 22 Apr 2015 11:00am - 12:30pm, S2 Alison Richard Building Postdoctoral Researcher Forum Seminar |
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Postdoctoral Research Forum Easter Term Welcome Lunch 22 Apr 2015 12:30pm - 2:00pm, The Atrium, Alison Richard Building Postdoc Forum Lunch |
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Talking to New Audiences 30 Apr 2015 12:30pm - 2:00pm, S2 Alison Richard Building Postdoc Forum Seminar |
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The Idea of a University Reading Group 11 May 2015 2:00pm - 3:30pm, CLAS Meeting Room, 204, Second Floor, Alison Richard Building Postdoc Forum Reading Group |
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The Idea of a University Reading Group 26 May 2015 2:00pm - 3:30pm, CLAS Meeting Room, 204, Second Floor, Alison Richard Building Postdoc Forum Reading Group |
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Open Data: a workshop 4 Jun 2015 12:45pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH meeting room |
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The Idea of a University Reading Group 8 Jun 2015 2:00pm - 3:30pm, CLAS Meeting Room, 204, Second Floor, Alison Richard Building Postdoc Forum Reading Group |
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Talking about…’the Impact Agenda’ 16 Jun 2015 12:30pm - 2:00pm, SG2, Alison Richard Building Postdoc Forum Seminar |
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The Idea of a University Reading Group 22 Jun 2015 2:00pm - 3:30pm, CLAS Meeting Room, 204, Second Floor, Alison Richard Building Postdoc Forum Reading Group |
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‘Nature’s Office & Work’: Recovery from Illness in Early Modern England, 1580-1720 17 Oct 2012 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 Dr Hannah Newton (History and Philosophy of Science) presents at the Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Research Information Day 26 Oct 2012 All day, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG1 This onel-day event is aimed at researchers at all stages of their careers. The event includes an afternoon session on research funding applications for early career researchers and postdocs |
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The Criminal Tribe in India Before the British 31 Oct 2012 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 Anastasia Piliavsky (Social Anthropology) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Postdoctoral Research Forum Welcome Lunch 14 Nov 2012 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Atrium, Alison Richard Building |
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Translating the Rousseauvian Legislator: Female pedagogues in the works of Félicité de Genlis and Mary Wollstonecraft 21 Nov 2012 12:30pm - 2:30pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 Dr Laura Kirkley (French) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Non-academic careers: Plan B 21 Nov 2012 9:00am - 12:00pm, Peterhouse, Upper Hall A CRASSH Postdoctoral Researcher Forum seminar jointly organised with the Careers Service |
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Revolution as moral contract: reflecting on the social revolution of Western Sahara’s liberation movement 16 Jan 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, S3 (Third floor) Alice Wilson (Social Anthropology; Homerton College) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Research Incubator Series: Memory 23 Jan 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (Ground Floor) Postdoctoral Researcher Forum: Research Incubator Series (RISe) |
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Research Incubator Series: Bodies 30 Jan 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, S3 (Third floor) Postdoctoral Researcher Forum: Research Incubator Series (RISe) |
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Research Incubator Series: Resilience 6 Feb 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (Ground Floor) Postdoctoral Researcher Forum: Research Incubator Series (RISe) |
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Research Incubator Series: Developmental Workshop 1 – Memory and Objects 20 Feb 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (Ground Floor) Postdoctoral Researcher Forum: Research Incubator Series (RISe) |
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Villainy and the Figure of the ‘vilain’ in French Renaissance Satire 27 Feb 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, S3 (Third floor) Jonathan Patterson (French) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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The Truth of Literary Criticism 13 Mar 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, S3 (Third floor) Josh Robinson (Queens'; English) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Research Incubator Series: Developmental Workshop 2 – Bodies of Exception 15 Mar 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, S3 (Third Floor) Postdoctoral Researcher Forum: Research Incubator Series (RISe) |
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Mentoring Programme 2013: Workshop 1 – Mentoring: myths, assumptions & solutions 22 Apr 2013 12:00pm - 2:30pm, Peterhouse, Upper Hall A CRASSH Postdoctoral Researcher Forum workshop jointly organised with the Careers Service and the Researcher Development Programme at PPD |
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Anxiety, Profusion and the Nineteenth-Century Natural History Object 24 Apr 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (ground floor) Alison Wood (English; Divinity; Lucy Cavendish) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Bilingualism and Biliteracy in Oscan South Italy? 1 May 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (ground floor) Nicholas Zair (Peterhouse; Classics) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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The Articulation of Bureaucratic Everydayness in the Indian Himalaya 8 May 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (ground floor) Nayanika Mathur (Social Anthropology; CRASSH) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Memory, Cosmology and Materiality in Prehistoric Malta 15 May 2013 12:00pm - 2:00pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (ground floor) Isabelle Vella Gregory (Christ's; Archaeology) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Jaroslav and the Taste for Folkloric Performances in Socialist Mongolia: an Ideal–Type Inspired from Fictional Literature 22 May 2013 12:00pm - 1:30pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (ground floor) Laurent Legrain (Social Anthropology) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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The Artist and the Museum: a Clash of Disciplinary Cultures? 5 Jun 2013 12:00pm - 1:30pm, CRASSH, Alison Richard Building, SG2 (ground floor) Alana Jelinek (Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology) presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Cultural violence and affective atmospheres: thinking about consequences 4 Nov 2013 2:00pm - 4:00pm, SG1, Alison Richard Building Dr Dacia Viejo Rose presents at the CRASSH Postdoctoral Research Seminar |
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Responding to epistemic violence: Indigenous pupils’ racialised classroom experiences in Chile 18 Nov 2013 2:00pm - 4:00pm, SG1, Alison Richard Building Dr Andrew Webb presents at the CRASSH Postodoctoral Research Seminar |
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Postdoctoral Research Forum 2014 Launch Party 28 Jan 2014 4:15pm - 6:00pm, Atrium, Ground Floor, Alison Richard Building Postdoctoral Researcher Forum 2014 Launch Party |
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Who Owns the Past? Recent Issues, Debates and Controversies’ 5 Feb 2014 4:15pm - 6:15pm, CRASSH Meeting Room Roundtable discussion with HVP Margaret MacMillan (Oxford) |
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Is the Future of the Humanities Interdisciplinarity, and, if so, How? 5 Mar 2014 4:15pm - 6:15pm, CRASSH Meeting Room Roundtable discussion with Mellon CDI Visiting Professor, Mary Poovey (NYU) |
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Crafting your Research Narrative 19 Mar 2014 4:15pm - 6:15pm, CRASSH Seminar room S1, Upstairs in ARB Seminar with Dr Steve Joy |
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Collective Volition: Twitter and the Many in One 24 Apr 2014 1:30pm - 3:00pm, Room SG2, Alison Richard Building Digital Humanities Seminar |
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Pizza, Beer and Interdisciplinary Networking Event 14 May 2014 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Atrium, Ground Floor, Alison Richard Building Postdoc Forum Event |
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Publishing: What, Where, When? 29 May 2014 4:00pm - 5:00pm, CRASSH Seminar room S1, Upstairs in ARB Postdoc Researcher Forum Seminar |
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Global Food Security: Interdisciplinary Perspectives 6 Jun 2014 9:30am - 2:00pm, CRASSH Seminar room S1, Upstairs in ARB |
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Collaborative Research and the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: A One Day Workshop at CRASSH 18 Jun 2014 10:00am - 5:30pm, CRASSH Seminar room S2, Upstairs in ARB A Postdoctoral Resarcher Forum seminar |
ECR Women's Network
This network is intended to support women as they negotiate the challenges of beginning and pursuing an academic career.
The network is open to all women across the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. We meet once a month, usually over coffee, and usually at 9am (although we treat the start and end times flexibly). Our sessions are run as a no pressure, no judgement coaching group. We seek through academic kindness and compassion to promote better living, better work, and greater understanding of the interplay between gender, institution, and career.
To give some background to our coaching practice: the process we follow has been developed by a brilliant set of academics at MIT in business and psychology who work on leadership, transformative leadership especially. This particular tool is being used in large and small organisations, hospitals, governments. You can read more about it here: https://www.presencing.com/tools/case-clinics.
The process is designed to help people think more clearly together, drawing on collective as well as individual resources.
Following group discussion, we split into smaller teams of up to six peers. In each group, a “case giver” presents a challenge they have encountered or are working through, and their peers help as consultants.
Case Clinics of this kind allow participants to:
– Generate new ways to look at a challenge or question.
– Develop new or innovative approaches for responding.
– Access the wisdom and experience of peers
– Develop a high level of trust and positive energy among the peer group.
– Practice skills in deep listening
– Enjoy and benefit from the support of their peers
Please get in touch with Michelle Maciejewska if you'd like to know more, or be added to the Network's mailing list.
CRASSH Mentoring Programme
“I am very glad to welcome this excellent initiative. The opportunity for doctoral students and postdocs to interact in this way will be enriching for both sides, and help to release the huge potential that is embedded in our postgraduate community in Cambridge.”
Professor Steve Connor, Grace 2 Professor of English, Cambridge
This mentoring programme is intended to support doctoral students as they negotiate the challenges of a rigorous and sometimes isolating academic programme; and to help post-docs become knowledgeable, experienced mentors.
The programme is open to post-docs across Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, and doctoral students in English and HPS (we hope to extend this to other faculties soon).
Whether you've had some experience with mentoring, or even none, this programme offers you the chance to refine your understanding of it and gain valuable experience with the support of experienced mentors at CRASSH and the Careers Service.
– As a post-doc you'll have the opportunity to support doctoral students and build mentoring skills (both great things to have on your CV) including getting a sense of what a mentoring relationship is and can be, and its benefits to you and the person you are supporting.
– As a doctoral student you'll have the chance to talk directly with someone who is navigating the demands of early career life, from research to job applications, from network-building to goal-setting (to give just a few examples), and to think about life within and beyond the doctorate.
The relationship will be yours to develop. CRASSH will offer an initial matching of post-doc and doctoral student, and an introductory session for everyone involved outlining what mentoring is, how to go about it, what you might expect, and some useful questions to ask yourself before you begin. You'll also have the chance to reflect on what you gained from the process, and what you might improve on, at an end-of-programme session in November 2016.
Convenors
Dr Alison Wood and Dr Rachel Holmes
To register please complete the form here (for doctoral student) or here (for post-doc) and send to the organisers by 15 February 2017.
Timeline:
- Friday 24 February, CRASSH. A compulsory session ‘Introduction to Mentoring’ with lunch provided
- February -July: Initial mentoring period
- Monday 17 July, Room S3, Alison Richard Building, Review session
- July – February, Continued mentoring
Being a Research Leader Programme 2018
Great leadership makes things happen in ways that are truly generative and sustaining. The CRASSH ‘Being a Research Leader’ programme will help you build the knowledge and qualities that make such leadership credible and possible. Intellectual bravery and bravura are givens. Throughout, we will traverse personal and structural practices in order to model an organisational culture alert to the possibilities of transformative leadership. Together, we will work to:
• map out the research landscape (now and predicted)
• identify and challenge limiting and enabling assumptions (our own and others’)
• balance intellectual commitment with epistemic openness
• build resilience and greater self-awareness
• clarify our strengths, blind-spots and ambitions
• develop strategies for decision-making and managing competing demands
• practice effective, active listening and communication
• understand influence, networks and the usefulness of coaching
• cultivate a self-reflective approach to collaboration and teamwork
Keywords and Concepts
Power, transparency, difficult conversations, honesty, openness, mindfulness, assumptions, clarity of purpose, authenticity, mentoring, intersectionality
The programme is intensive: a small group of people meeting for 1 full-day and 2 half-day workshops over 3 months (May – July 2018) supported by peer-mentoring and a reading programme. There will also be small amounts of homework before each workshop.
Participants in the programme say:
• “It’s transformative, game changing”
• “[it] surpassed expectations”
• “I have greater confidence, better tools for action, better self-awareness: what the programme offered is already making a difference to my career”
• “The best ‘training’ environment I have encountered”
Eligibility
Early Career, post-doctoral staff: up to 10 years post-doctorate. JRFs, Research Associates and Fellows, CTOs, UTOs welcome. Previous participants in CRASSH leadership programmes are also welcome.
Places are (very) limited and only available by application.
Deadline for Applications: 12.00pm noon on Thursday 10 May 2018
Further details, including on how to apply, can be found here.
Hosted by CRASSH and the Researcher Development Programme, Cambridge
Convenors: Dr Alison Wood, Mellon/Newton Research fellow at CRASSH
Dr Rachel Holmes, Research Associate, Crossroads of Knowledge in Early Modern England, CRASSH
Facilitators: Dr Mary Beth Benbenek: Researcher Developer (Post-docs), University of Cambridge. Mary Beth works closely with postdoctoral researchers and designs and delivers courses on academic and educational leadership with a particular focus on teaching and learning in higher education. Mary Beth is a tutor on the Teaching Associates' Programme run by the University’s Centre for Teaching and Learning. She holds a PhD in history and, before joining the RDP team, taught at American international universities in London and in Italy.
Hannah Clements: Researcher Developer (Post-docs), University of Cambridge. Hannah specialises in the design and delivery of a range of skill-development courses for postdoctoral researchers and research staff, focusing specifically on leadership, coaching and mentorship. Hannah's background is in career development and, before joining the RDP team, she worked in a number of London universities establishing and managing mentorship programmes, and teaching on careers education and guidance courses. She gained Senior Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy in 2015.
Logistics: Workshops will be held at the Sidgwick Site, West Rd, Cambridge.
Costs: All costs of the workshop (facilities, catering, materials) will be covered by CRASSH. We regret however that we cannot cover costs for transport or accommodation.
