#Conference: Developing the Next Generation of Researchers

2-4 April 2019, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Organised in collaboration with the University of Ibadan, Developing the next generation of researchers will provide an opportunity for emerging researchers to explore innovative approaches to professional development and support them to take the next step in their careers.

Over the course of three days, delegates will learn about international good practice in career and professional development planning for early career researchers. This will include looking at how best practice is being applied within Nigeria, and hearing first-hand from rising academic stars from across the country about how they are forging ahead in their research careers.

The workshop will cover:

• The benefits of professional development as a researcher
• Making the most of mentoring
• Research cooperation for ECRs
• Professional Development Planning (PDP)
• Research uptake – getting research into use
• The mobile researcher in a global research environment
• Preparing to be an effective research leader

Programme

During the course of the workshop, participants will hear from various academics, including CIRCLE Visiting Fellowship Alumni, leaders of the ACU STARS programme, and top graduates from the University of Ibadan.

Who should attend?

The workshop will be open to academic staff from universities across Nigeria.

• Early career academics wishing to learn techniques for developing themselves as researchers and research leaders
• Senior academics, research managers, directors of graduate schools, and anyone with a responsibility for academic staff development

Why participate?

In a period of fast-paced change and growth in higher education, early career researchers find themselves confronted with a wider array of challenges – such as increasing competition for funding and rising student numbers – than ever before. By participating in this workshop, you will learn how to develop a reflective and proactive approach, helping you to navigate these challenges.

Benefits for emerging researchers:

• Academics need a diverse skillset to become research leaders. As well as the knowledge and technical skills to be able to conduct research, they also need the ability to manage time and resources, and to communicate their knowledge effectively to a range of audiences, both expert and non-expert.
  
• This workshop is geared towards exploring how early career researchers can better manage their own professional development to become research leaders and effective mentors to other emerging researchers.
  
• First-hand accounts will empower academics to emulate the success enjoyed by talented peers.

Benefits for universities and senior researchers:

• If universities want to stay at the forefront of research, early investment needs to be made in strengthening academics' abilities to be as effective as possible in developing themselves and others.
  
• Academic staff are the biggest asset that a university possesses. Investing in their development is an effective means to enhance university research capacity.
  
• Developing structures and processes that institutionalise the training of academics can instil a culture of professionalism in staff who will then go on to represent the institution. It can also ensure that staff maximise their use of time and resources.

Register

• Register online here

The registration fees, which include refreshments/lunch and workshop materials only, are as follows:

• NGN 15,000 - attendees from ACU member universities
• NGN 25,000 - attendees from non-ACU members, or ACU members who are in arrears

Payment must be received in advance of the workshop and by Friday 15 March at the latest.

Further details will be added shortly. 

Cancellation/refund policy

If you should have to cancel your registration after payment, notification must be sent in writing to: eventsfinance@acu.ac.uk

• A refund of 50% will be given for cancellations received by Friday 15 March latest
• No refund will be given for any cancellations received from Saturday 16 March onwards, nor failure to attend

NB Instead of cancelling, we would strongly encourage you to find a replacement to attend in your place.
Substitutions (with full details) must be communicated as soon as possible in advance of the workshop to eventsfinance@acu.ac.uk, and by Friday 22 March latest.

Force majeure
The ACU shall not be liable to refund fees or for any other penalty should the event be cancelled due to war, fire, strike lock-out, industrial action, tempest, accident, civil disturbance or any other cause whatsoever beyond their control.

Data protection

We ensure that we comply with all applicable data protection laws when handling your information. Your personal data will be processed in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 of the European Union and the Data Protection Act 2018. For more information about this, your rights, and our approach to Data Protection and Privacy, please see our privacy notice and cookie policy.