AsSIST-UK ECR
The AsSIST ECR (Early Career Researchers) group brings together PhD students and post-doctoral researchers in the United Kingdom, working on science, technology, and innovation studies. We try to foster a supportive community for early-stage academics navigating the challenges of research careers. We aim to create a space where members can share experiences, discuss career anxieties, and learn from predecessors in the field. To achieve these goals, we organise bi-annual workshops that facilitate knowledge exchange and networking opportunities. Additionally, we host writing retreats, providing a dedicated environment for members to make progress on their research projects while benefiting from peer support. We are also launching a series of online workshops focused on developing key research skills.
The recent events:
ECR summer workshop in York
The AsSIST UK summer school is a space for early career researchers (ECR) to engage in activities that enhance professional development. Whether you are a postgraduate or a post-doctoral researcher, the event provides insights into the benefits and challenges of a career in research, inside and outside academia. And of course, the event also creates a space for networking enabling ECRs to build new relationships and connections among research colleagues in the field of Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS).
The 2024 AsSIST UK summer school took place at The Hospitium, a venue located within the beautiful York Museum Gardens, in York city centre. Our attendees had the opportunity to hear about the professional experience and research journey of more senior colleagues and engaged in table discussions on popular topics of interest like publishing, applying for funding, and finding jobs outside academia, among others.
Event venue: The Hospitium, York
We concluded the event by announcing the Andrew PhD Webster Prize Award, followed by the 2024 Andrew J Webster Annual Lecture where Prof Jack Stilgoe discussed ‘The Organised Irresponsibility of AI’, both in memory of AsSIST-UK co-founder, Prof. Andrew Webster and in recognition of his unwavering commitment to supporting early career researchers.
The 2024 Andrew Webster PhD prize was awarded to Dr Benedetta Catanzariti (University of Edinburgh) for her thesis: Seeing Affect: Knowledge Infrastructures in Facial Expression Recognition Systems. Congratulations!
Winter writing retreat in Highlands:
ISSTI-AsSIST UK Early Career Researchers’ Winter 2024 Writing Retreat
The Winter Writing Retreat, organised and sponsored by ISSTI- AsSIST UK, took place at the historic Castle Brodie, offering participants both the physical and mental space to focus on their writing projects. This retreat gathered ECR scholars from STIS, including PhD candidates, post-doctoral researchers, and lecturers, who were at various stages of their academic careers. The picturesque setting of Castle Brodie, steeped in Scottish culture and heritage, provided a perfect backdrop for the week of intense writing and networking. We learned that participants worked on their PhD dissertations, journal articles, book chapters, and concept notes, while also getting to know each other and building connections.
The daily structure of the retreat revolved around both writing and socialising, offering participants the opportunity to share their plans, seek feedback, and bond with their peers. Having clear, realistic objectives in advance was crucial for making the most of the retreat. For example, first-time participants share how they benefited from the advice and instructions on preparing materials, tables, and notes in advance to ensure a productive writing experience during the retreat. Alongside writing, participants enjoyed moments of relaxation, cooking meals together, watching documentaries, and sharing funny videos, which added to the fun and camaraderie.
The retreat not only provided a focused environment for writing but also fostered a sense of community and support among participants. It facilitated the exchange of ideas, academic guidance, and constructive feedback on both writing and publishing. The experience was a balanced integration of productive writing sessions and meaningful connections, offering a unique opportunity for development in a supportive and inspiring setting. The organiser generously sponsored food and accommodations and looked after the well-being of the participants, further enhancing the sense of care and support to ECR in STIS.
ECR committee members:
Isaac Lemo, PhD Student at Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU), University of Sussex Business School
Pablo Molina Rossolino, PhD student at the Department of Sociology, University of York
Polina Chizhova-Wright, LUDeC PhD student in Curating and Architecture at Manchester Metropolitan University
Xiao Yang, PhD student at Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation, University of Edinburgh