Protective or Precarious? The role of research centres in supporting ECRs in an uncertain higher education sector

About this project

Research centres are a vital part of higher education institutions’ academic infrastructure. They foster collaboration, support innovation and connect universities with wider society. Centres have the potential to serve as epicentres of ethical knowledge production and researcher support, but recent researchLink opens in a new window has revealed that more connectivity is needed between research centre stakeholders to develop inclusive research culture practices. Centres often host Early Career Researchers (ECRs), including doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. In a rapidly changing UK HE sector, where concerns about finance prevail, there are questions as to whether research centres can provide nurturing environments for ECRs while managing financial and structural uncertainties.

This project takes the form of an event held at Warwick (on campus) which encourages debate across different stakeholders about the place of ECRs in research centres. Following on from the event, an Actionable Guide will be developed to advise research centre leads on developing a supportive research culture for ECRs.

The 'Protective or Precarious' event

This event welcomes attendees who are located in and/or interested in research centres from any institution or organisation, career stage, job type or course of study.

Registration is required. To register, please go to www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ces/desresearch/dear/popeventregistrationLink opens in a new window

Event details: Thursday 21st May 2026, 9:30-13:30, on Warwick campus (room number will be provided to registered attendees)

Arrival, registration and coffee: 9:30am - 10:00am

Main session: 10:00-12:30

1. The Research Centre Perspectives Panel will showcase current involvement of ECRs in centres and discuss the duality of protection versus precarity within centres.  
2. The Institutional Stakeholder Panel will discuss the involvement of ECRs in research centres from an institutional policy and strategy perspective.  
3. The final section will focus on developing an Actionable Guide for research centres to build a supportive and sustainable research culture for ECRs. 

Networking lunch: 12:30-13:30

The event is hosted by the Doctoral Education and Academia Research Centre (DEAR) at Warwick, and funded by the Spotlight Society & Culture Small Grant Scheme. 

Registration is required. To register, please go to www.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ces/desresearch/dear/popeventregistrationLink opens in a new window

 

 

This project is funded by the Warwick Spotlight Small Grant Scheme - Society & Culture This project runs January to May 2026

Who works on the project?

Principal Investigator: Evan Zheng, DEAR Centre & Education Studies (SELCS), University of Warwick

Co-Investigator: Prof Emily HendersonLink opens in a new window, DEAR Centre & Education Studies (SELCS), University of Warwick