This project sought feedback from prospective and current fellows on their experiences of processes in the departments throughout the fellowship ‘life-cycle,’ from before applying to the end of the fellowship.  The report highlights best practice as well as gaps in provision to help improve practices and build upon the existing support in the departments.

• The Independent Research Fellows’ ‘Life-cycle’ at Imperial College London: A review of fellows’ experience of processes across departments final report (pdf)

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC leads Stefanie Edler-Wollstein and Dr Muhsincan Sesen. 

The project concluded with a report showcasing the methods adopted within HE and at Imperial to tackle bullying and harassment and improve research cultures. This informed the work of an advisory board, focused on the actions needed to improve ECRs’ wellbeing. 

• Improving the wellbeing of early career researchers through tangible actions against bullying and harassment final report (pdf)

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC lead Stefanie Edler-Wollstein. 

This project concluded with a report highlighting the factors influencing the career perceptions of Imperial ECRs and recommendations that encourage a balanced view of the range of career opportunities available to them, including those outside academia.

• Understanding ECR Career Perceptions final report (pdf)

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC lead Dr Ines Perpetuo. 

This was an independent, qualitative study in response to the small representation of women in academia and at Imperial. The project team spent over 50 hours hearing from academic women about their experiences and challenges. 

• What do women need to progress in academia final report (pdf)

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC lead Dr Karen Hinxman. 

This project was in response to the instability and stress of researchers’ fixed-term contracts, and investigated the numbers of long-term researchers at Imperial, their experiences, and how they are perceived at Imperial. Over 300 survey respondents were involved.

• Quantifying and describing the experiences of long-term researchers (LTRs) at Imperial final report (pdf)

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC lead Dr Karen Hinxman. 

This project evaluated the current and potential future support provision for teaching fellows and learning technologists at Imperial. This involved 45 survey responses and 22 in-depth interviews.

• Enhancing Academic Culture final report (pdf)
• Enhancing Academic Culture final report (accessible version pdf)

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC lead Dr Ines Perpetuo. 

In collaboration with Dr Steve Hutchinson

Six management development sessions were delivered to 77 postdoc reps between March and July 2022. These covered aspects such as resilience, managing teams and influencing skills, and received very positive feedback.

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC lead Stefanie Edler-Wollstein. 

In collaboration with Dr Jess Wade

The event took place between 29 June – 1 July 2022 and was attended by 25 Black physicists and engineers from across the UK. This was an opportunity to encourage ECRs from historically marginalised groups to aim for academic leadership roles. The feedback was very positive.

An article about this event was published in Nature and can be accessed from here: Lessons from a UK research school for Black physicists and engineers.

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC lead Dr Ines Perpetuo. 

In collaboration with Dr Tanweer Beleil

This event took place on 10 June 2022 and was attended by approximately 30 Black and mixed Black heritage PhD students and research staff at Imperial. It was an opportunity for networking and showcasing achievements and received very positive feedback.

If you have any questions about this project, please email PFDC lead Dr Ines Perpetuo.