Early Career Research Network
Who can join the network?
The network is open to anyone who considers themselves to be early in their academic career. We recognise that this is a subjective category that varies by individual and context. The group includes ECRs directly involved in the THRIVING Food Futures project, but we are also keen to extend the invitation to ECRs based at participating institutions and beyond to promote wider engagement and foster new connections.
THRIVING Food Futures Early Career Network
The THRIVING Food Futures Early Career Researcher (ECR) network, established in May 2025, offers a space for all ECRs interested in healthy, sustainable, and equitable diets and food systems to connect, share expertise, develop new skills, and collaborate across projects. The network aligns with the broader goals of the THRIVING Food Futures project and its interdisciplinary nature.
What is the focus of the network?
The ECR network will focus on three core areas:
1.Skills sharing and development
We aim to organise bi-monthly online skill-sharing sessions to help ECRs build methodological, substantive, and practical expertise, while also developing transferable skills for future roles and funding/fellowship applications.
2. Project-specific collaboration
The network will support collaboration opportunities aligned with the aims of THRIVING Food Futures and career development, sharing these with members as they arise. Researchers at host institutions are encouraged to advertise relevant activities.
3. Visibility and dissemination
We want to raise the profiles of ECRs and the THRIVING Food Futures project by supporting dissemination. This may include contributing blog posts to the THRIVING Food Futures website, or other opportunities.
Upcoming events
Introduction to grant writing
The THRIVING Food Futures ECR network is holding their first in-person event: an Introduction to Grant Writing.
Date: 21 April 2026
Time: 10:00-13:00 (session), following by networking lunch 13:00-14:00
Location: University of Oxford (in-person only)
This session is designed to give ECRs an accessible introduction to grant writing, with insights from senior academics and THRIVING leads, including:
- Professor Martin White, University of Cambridge
- Professor Jean Adams, University of Cambridge
- Professor Katherine Smith, University of Strathclyde
- Dr Christian Reynolds, City St George's, University of London
The session will cover:
- Crafting strong research questions
- Routes to funding (fellowships, collaborative applications)
- Funding opportunities, including smaller or lesser-known grants
- What makes a proposal successful from a funders' perspective
The session combines short talks, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities (including lunch) with other ECRs, senior academics, and researchers with funding experience.
The event is scheduled the day before the LEAP conference in Oxford, making it the perfect opportunity to connect with the THRIVING community and other ECRs before the conference begins.
Places are limited. Express your interest using this form.
Terms of Reference
The full Terms of Reference document provides further details on the network's aims, structure, activities, and participation.
Join the Thriving Food Futures Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network