A selection of current news items for managers of Early Career Researchers.

Note: Access to some of the publications referenced here is metered and/or involves a free registration of basic details, and we hope you find the material worth any such inconvenience. We try our best not to include paywalled articles, but there are sometimes differences between jurisdictions. We hope that your institution’s subscriptions will allow you to see any pieces that do turn out to be restricted in your location.

Research matters

Publishing pressure. Rankings could be made a double-edged sword for institutions that are prone to over-emphasising publication output.

Authorship agonies. Another reminder of the ethical and practical problems plaguing the publication process as a result of a continued emphasis on quantity of output.

Reality bites. Open Research Europe will only operate sustainably as a publishing non-profit if the EU recognises the true value and costs of academic publishing and resources ORE accordingly.

Open access booster. The Gates Foundation’s move to require grantees to post preprints may be good for open science but isn’t universally welcome.

That sinking feeling. Debate over the crisis around sham research publications has moved squarely to the mainstream.

Value through engagement. A reminder that delivering research value doesn’t necessarily mean achieving direct impact.

Rating reform. A faculty perspective on the need for a step-change in the way productivity and impact are measured.

Doubt and distrust. A senior astrophysicist’s new book ranges widely over diminishing public trust in research, its causes and potential fixes.

Only cheating themselves. The case for universities to switch attention from policing students’ AI-use to assessing what they’ve actually learnt.

Cow-poo and confabulation. Template disclaimers are all very well, but if LLMs can now create apparently authentic databases to support conclusions, how much trouble is research in?

Management matters

Fundamental adjunct. Contingent teaching deserves the same respect and consideration as the tenured variety.

Credit where it’s due. A 2023 study nails a range of problems affecting postdocs and calls for specific changes to improve their conditions and recognition.

The parlous state of postdocs. When a funding body like the National Institutes of Health decides something must be done about the situation of postdocs, it must be serious…

Postdoc outlook. Nature’s post-COVID pulse-take survey reports small gains in optimism, confidence and job satisfaction.

Mastering stress. Scholars open up about their mental health and wellbeing struggles, and how they’ve responded.

Strong demand for soft skills. The data shows a post-COVID surge in interest from employers in interpersonal skills - so what does it mean?

No-one succeeds alone. Practice makes perfect when it comes to interpersonal attributes, a.k.a. the ‘enduring skills of the future’.

The authentic adviser. What does it take to deliver effective, supportive research supervision and mentorship?

Managing monsters. 10 veterans of ‘big team science’ projects have produced a guide to preparing and running large-scale collaborative research efforts.

More than words. How to organise writing retreats that deliver maximum career development horsepower.

Less chat, more purpose. Meetings without clear aims that result in more meetings and chew up valuable work time…: surely we can do better?!

Personal press

Job-hunt tech support. A uni-based careers adviser suggests where and how best to use AI in a job search.

Navigating integration. Adapting to a new working culture is a process of phases that you can plan for.

Value-add in admin. Advice on focusing on, and registering, wins in the areas that matter most to you.

Negative equity. We’re naturally heavily invested in the people we are, so it’s tough to ‘unlearn’ our unhelpful behaviours.

Tempered expectations. An ecologist advocates for assessing our own productivity in the context of ever-shifting time, body and mind-related variables.

Remotely better. Introverts challenge assumptions that equate physical presence with greater productivity and collaboration.

All in the mindset. The issue of growth vs fixed mindset behaviour is central to success in life, but it’s also quite nuanced.

Handling refusal. Useful words on having your proposals denied and the benefits of a ‘civil reaction to No’.

Let’s do lunch! Reasons why to take the time you’re due, and how to make it count.

Serious research

Kangaroo Carnival. Rio and roos come together in the quirky, exuberant winner of this year's ‘Dance your PhD’ competition.

We hope you find this Update for Research Managers helpful. 
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