Early Career Researcher Programme

For the modern-day researcher, research visibility matters. While publishing in peer-reviewed journals is vital, it is also important to consider other ways of reaching wider audiences such as policymakers and the public.

RU partners with The Conversation Africa (TC Africa), who will conduct the virtual 2-hour workshop on popular writing for scientists. The workshop is designed to be a hands-on and interactive session to equip researchers with the skills to pitch and publish on The Conversation Africa. The workshop will focus on how researchers can best communicate research findings and insights to non-academic audiences, be they the general public or policymakers for impact

Maximum 30 people

[This one is for RU staff, postdocs & PhD students only]

11:30am - 1:30pm

Wednesday 28 July

Presenters: Editors from The Conversation Africa

Click here to register for the session

This seminar introduces participants to the basics of the South African NRF Rating programme. The seminar will concentrate on different rating categories, internal processes at RU, and the different reviewing committees at the NRF.

We will also take you through the different sections of the actual online application so you get an idea of what the application looks like.

2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 4 August

Presenter: Sinazo Peter, Research Office @ RU

Recording of session here

There has been repeated research implicating the dominance of the master-apprentice model of postgraduate education in the low throughput rates in the Humanities and Social Sciences (which includes Commerce, Law and Education). This model (also known as the Oxbridge model) is now the exception rather than the rule in the countries from which we inherited it.

This seminar looks at other models which may be more suitable for many of our students and which allow novice supervisors to work in supportive teams that build their careers. The seminar reflects on the pros and cons of supervising in project teams and what it takes to form them.

2pm - 3:30pm

Wednesday 11 August

Presenter: Sioux McKenna, CPGS @ RU

Click here to register for the session

In South Africa, the DHET includes funding for accredited research outputs as part of its annual grant to universities. This session looks at how the accreditation system works, which journal lists are accredited, and how RU fares within the subsidy count.

2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 18 August

Presenter: Thumeka Montolo, Research Office @ RU

Recording of session here

There are a number of platforms that allow us to track the impact and uptake of our research. In this session, you will be shown how to navigate Google Scholar, Incites and Orcid.

2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 25 August

Presenter: Debbie Martindale, Library @ RU

Recording of session here

Engaged research is research with a strong societal impact. As a public good, the university has a responsibility to ensure that its research has positive impact. This seminar will look at some of the forms of engaged research evident at RU and help early career researchers to consider the relationship between their research and the wider community.

2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 15 September

Presenter: René Oosthuizen

Click here to register for the session

A teaching portfolio provides an opportunity to critically reflect upon your approaches to teaching and the context in which you teach, and how you respond to input from students and colleagues. It is an opportunity to consider your course design and teaching and assessment practices. At Rhodes University lecturers are required to submit teaching portfolios to meet probationary requirements and to apply for personal promotion. In this seminar, we will explore how you can begin the process of developing your portfolio and collecting the evidence you will provide as a scholarly teacher of your discipline.

2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 22 September

Presenter: Lynn Quinn, CHERTL @ RU

Click here to register for the session

Navigating social media can be a daunting task, but it a very useful tool to promote your work and to build a network of peers. In this session, the Communications Team will take you through how to set up different social media accounts, how to integrate them, what audiences they serve and how to use built-in analytics to understand what is working with your audience and what isn't. We will also give tips on how to safely increase the impact of your knowledge dissemination and the best practices for compiling an effective social media post.

2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 29 September

Presenter: Ilva Pieterse, Communications and Advancement, Rhodes University

Click here to register for the session

In this session, Jo-Anne will look at the various ways in which our research and teaching work can intersect to reinforce rather than compete with each other.

2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 6 October

Presenter: Jo-Anne Vorster, CHERTL @ RU

More detail and sign-up to follow

Taking on the complex role of 'academic' can mean incredibly rewarding opportunities for growth and service and comes with more autonomy than most other careers. But it can also mean conflict between multiple responsibilities and the 'autonomy' to work all weekend every weekend. In this seminar, we look at how previous Early Career Researchers have navigated this journey and hear their advice.

2pm - 3pm

Wednesday 13 October

Chair: Mandy Hlengwa, CHERTL @ RU

Register for the session here

Gatekeepers are significant role players for undertaking ethically sound research. However, gatekeepers can either enable or constrain research if their roles and functions are not contextualised and, in turn, misunderstood. This discussion can be of interest to researchers, supervisors, students, community leaders and ethics managers and reviewers.

2pm - 3pm

Thursday 21 October

Presenter: Gladman Thondhlana Department of Environmental Science @ RU

Register for the session here

Speak to us! We'd love to hear if there's a particular seminar, workshop, discussion or focus area that you think needs consideration in this Early Career Researcher series.

Email: cpgs@ru.ac.za