Developing the next generation of researchers

Wednesday 12 – Friday 14 July 2017
University of Lagos, Nigeria

This workshop – organised by the ACU in collaboration with the University of Lagos, Nigeria – will explore innovative approaches to academic mentoring and career development for emerging researchers.

In a period of fast-paced change and growth in higher education, Early Career Researchers (ECRs) find themselves confronted with a wider array of challenges than ever before. With growing student numbers, greater competition for research funding, and ever more exacting demands from funders, a reflective and proactive approach to developing academic skills is becoming increasingly critical to a flourishing research career.

Over the course of three days, delegates will learn about international good practice in career and professional development planning for ECRs. This will include looking at how best practice is being applied within Nigeria, and hearing first-hand from rising academic stars from across the country about how they are forging ahead in their research careers.

The ACU wishes to express its gratitude to the leadership of Ebonyi State University in instigating the first iteration of this workshop, held in Abakaliki in June 2016. You can read past participants' testimonials below.

Programme

The workshop will cover:

• Good practice in academic mentorship
• Professional development planning
• Research uptake – getting research into use
• Becoming a mobile researcher
• Making effective research networks and collaborations

Download the programme here.

Who should attend?

• Early career academics wishing to learn techniques for developing themselves as researchers and as research leaders
• Senior academics, research managers, directors of graduate schools, and anyone with a responsibility for academic staff development.

Why participate?

Benefits for emerging researchers:

• As well as the knowledge and technical skills to be able to conduct research, academics need a diverse skillset to become research leaders and also the ability to manage time and resources, and to communicate their knowledge effectively to a range of audiences.
• First-hand accounts will empower academics to emulate the success enjoyed by talented peers.
• This workshop is geared towards exploring how ECRs can better manage their own professional development to become research leaders and effective mentors to other emerging researchers.

Benefits for universities and senior researchers:

• If universities want to stay at the forefront of research, early investment needs to be made in strengthening academics’ abilities to be effective in developing themselves and others.
• Academic staff are the biggest asset that a university possesses. Investing in their development is an effective means to enhance university research capacity.
• Effective institutional structures to train emerging academics can enhance staff retention and instil a culture of professionalism. It can also ensure that staff maximise their use of time and resources.

Past participants (EBSU, 2016) have said:

'If you have not attended this workshop, you are ten years behind in all that you have to do with research, regardless of your academic rank.'
- Professor and Deputy Director, University of Calabar

'I will tell my colleagues that it is a 'must-attend' event.'
- Senior Lecturer, EBSU

'The workshop was an eye opener to opportunities available for any young PhD interested in academic pursuit.'
- Senior Lecturer, University of Calabar

'The most useful aspect for me was meeting and collaborating with my peers on mobile research.'
- Assistant Lecturer, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture

'I learnt and was challenged by the shared experiences of the CIRCLE Visiting Fellows.'
- Assistant Lecturer, Salem University

Further queries

If you have any additional queries, please contact [email protected]