One | 2026
A selection of current news items for managers of Early Career Researchers.
Note: Access to some of the publications referenced here may be metered or involve a free registration of basic details, and we hope you find the material worth any inconvenience. We try our best not to include paywalled articles, but there are sometimes differences between jurisdictions and 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
Reaching out. Working with non-academic partners is challenging but survey data indicates cross-sectoral projects generate more impact.
Impact conundrum. The character, drive and networks of individual researchers dictate the success of research impact.
Switching lanes. Cross-disciplinary study of researchers stepping outside their established niches suggests there is a penalty to pay.
Bought and sold. A critique of the incompatibility of for-profit publishing with advancing knowledge for the public good.
Open to improvement. A new study suggests that, so far, the evidence of the benefits of open access research is underwhelming.
Citation hunting. Analysis of 37,000 articles with open peer review shows reviewers are way more likely to approve publication if their own work is cited.
Dues paid. The NISO’s CRediT is gaining traction as a standard system for clarifying who did what in published research.
The knowledge stack. A project to reshape publishing in ways that recognise all of scholars’ contributions to research.
Best practice AI. Publishers are getting their act together by offering clearer guidelines for authors and reviewers on using gen. AI.
Retaking control. The case for a new paradigm where all personal data is owned by the individual and private by default.
Management matters
Fair, transparent, inclusive? A multi-national survey captures what ECRs think about the evaluation of their research and performance.
2nd-time success. Cross-border analysis of grant applications suggests ‘near-miss’ researchers deserve more targeted support.
Systemic career support. The EUA’s pithy report identifies five areas needing reform to promote sustainable academic careers.
Career-cast. Research career support specialists Vitae and Taylor & Francis have teamed up on a practical skills development series.
Observatory in action. ReICO’s new database allows researchers to compare conditions and careers for PhDs across multiple countries.
Helping students to have 'that talk'. It can be hard for PhD candidates to talk about non-academic career options with a supervisor, so when and how should these discussions unfold?
Effective oversight. Guidelines with postdocs in mind on supervising students’ short-term research projects.
Parallel research program. Born from experience of neurodivergence, a call for a self-directed, publication-driven alternative to traditional PhD and postdoc research options - and a note about the unease some feel about it.
Assessment reform. New guidance for academics worried about how to assess students effectively in this era of AI.
AI guardrails. For anyone lecturing in a vacuum when it comes to AI policy, some ideas for in-course guidelines on AI use.
Partners in prose. Rough rules of the road for getting the best out of joint writing projects.
All about rhythm. For anyone not familiar with the Writing Partners programme, a summary of the benefits of ‘Shut Up & Write’.
Hybrid hints. Some challenges affecting meetings combining virtual and physical attendees, and suggested solutions.
Personal press
New IDP resource for admin. There’s now a career planning tool specifically for higher ed./research managers.
Planning for luck. The outline of a career planning approach that embraces change and chance opportunity.
Non-linear approach. A career coach in the uncertain US academic arena offers strategies for planning in complex times.
Driving with the brakes on. What to do if your job search and applications aren’t converting to offers.
Coming unstuck. If you start feeling trapped in your role there are some ready ways to reclaim control.
Look before you leap. Using low-risk career experiments to explore the options.
Professional profile. The many ways in which joining professional societies can contribute to career development.
Serious research
Don’t cry for me… Card-game Academic Tears offers a light-hearted look at the tricky decisions involved in Early Career research.
Would your PhD cohort or postdocs benefit from help with managing their time? Our interactive half-day workshop equips participants to tackle their own time management challenges, live and directly.
“The workshop guides us through our own goals, how to think about our priorities and how to take action. I liked the practical aspect of it. At the end of the workshop I had my own plan, and that was an accomplishment!”
“…Discusses relevant issues and offers concrete and applicable advice on how to improve time management. Most importantly, it is interactive and enables you to identify some most important drawbacks in your own time management setup”
(Feedback from workshop participants in Australia and Sweden)
If you would like to explore workshop options like this for your early career researchers, contact Dr. Kerstin Fritsches at info@postdoctraining.com.