Early Career Development Academy

• Champion our community of fellows, identify common issues and propose improvements to university-wide issues.
• Support discipline specific groups to maximise their training opportunities, and to develop and disseminate best practice. 
• Facilitate networking opportunities across and outside of the University, and to provide a cohesive sense of community.  
• Act as a crucible of ideas and provide a safe space to challenge pre-conceived ideas.  
• Support fellow-related projects, e.g., the Researcher Development Concordat, HR Excellence in Research Award (HREiR). 
• Evaluate & report annually to UEB on activity and aspirations.  
• Facilitate regular ECF culture and environment review.  
• Celebrate the success of our fellows both within and outside of the institution. 

The University of Birmingham is committed to The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, commonly known as  the Researcher Concordat.  

The Concordat sets out three clear principles of environment and culture, employment, and professional and career development. The principles are underpinned by obligations for the four key stakeholder groups, funders, institutions, researchers, and managers of researchers, to realise the aims of the concordat. 

As a signatory to the Concordat, the University has developed an Action Plan to meet its obligations. 

If you are interested in accessing the academy's emerging support networks, please contact your local ECDA representative. These are as follows:

ECR Hub (MDS)

ECDN (EPS and LES) 

ECARs (CoSS and CAL)

Or alternatively, please contact Vince O'Grady or Lily Liu who will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. 

The ECDA will manage and report on the University’s commitment to The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. We seek to apply the Concordat’s principles to all members of the ECF community.

The ECDA will be led by its Management Group, comprising of a senior and early career academic representative from each College, representatives from People and Organisational Development and chaired by the Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Projects, Professor Jonathan Rowe.

We welcome your feedback and encourage you to contact your local representative or the ECDA management group if you have any ideas or suggestions to improve the ECF environment.