Careers in Your Ears

“Narrative CVs are an attempt to be able to surface all of the things which academics do in a structured way.” We would like to invite all researchers and their supporters, developers and enablers to build their awareness of Narrative CVs (NCV) with this podcast episode. They are increasingly used for funding applications, in recruitment or promotion processes, and as such are also a useful framework for academic career planning. We are delighted to be joined by narrative CV researchers, Becky Ioppolo and Kate Murray from the University of Cambridge who are doing fascinating research into the use of narrative CVs to uncover more about them and answer the big questions about whether or not they meet their purpose of being more inclusive, how to write a good one and where you can go to find out more. Resources below mentioned in the episode: King’s researchers can access one-to-one specialist careers support and narrative CV resources. If you are based in another institution, check for careers support and training available to you. Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI): guidance – UKRI Video-based resource from the University of Glasgow provides insights as to how other researchers have approached writing an NCV The University of Oxford’s resource on writing NCVs.  Search their website for more information on writing team NCVs. NCV sharing platform - Join for access to narrative CV examples, set up by the Marie Curie Fellowship Alumni Association and others. ARRC Project one-page PDF supporting researchers to write an NCV and signposting to many different sources of help. ARRC Project NCV FAQs and do submit any you would like them to answer! LSE blog post⁠ - Bordignon et al. summarise the reasons behind the creation of the NCV Evaluation from the FNR, Luxembourg national funder, mentioned in connection with the amount of time it takes to write an NCV. Alzheimer’s Research UK podcast on implementation and general advice Jargon: NCV - narrative CV R4RI - Resume for Research Innovation (same as a narrative CV) UKRI - UK Research and Innovation - UK government research funding ARRC Project - Action Research on Research Culture

'It's really an art' - join us for an enjoyable and informative conversation with Antonio Forte about the ups and downs of applying for fellowships, the importance of resilience and building a supportive network and the joy of thinking outside the box (and how this helps with applications). There is also a fascinating glimpse into the future in the form of shape shifting meta materials. For King's researchers applying to fellowships you can also find recordings from fellowship funders on the CRSD webpages and get support and advice from the King's funding teams in addition to speaking to careers consultants about CVs and applications.

In this episode, Dr. Sarah Burton, writer and researcher tells us about her career in education and about her experience of gaining funding from the Leverhulme Trust, what that meant to her and gives some tips on making an application. Many thanks to the Trust for introducing us and making this episode possible.

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Dmitry Kishkinev who is a lecturer in animal behaviour and behavioural neuroscience at Keele University. He tells us all about his career history, moving countries, the need to think strategically about your career and the support he has received from the Leverhulme Trust. We'd like to thank the Leverhulme Trust for their generosity in helping us record this episode.

We’re celebrating International Women’s Day with a special episode and we're joined by Drs Amal Abuzainab, Lovelin Obi and Rokhshid Ghaziani who are all academic researchers, teachers and involved in many other things alongside their main careers. In a very uplifting conversation, we hear about how they came to be academics, what kinds of barriers women can face in academic life (and how to overcome them) and the challenges of managing complex careers and responsibilities.

Join us for an inspiring chat with Professor Michael Sanders as he lets us in on his approach for getting things done in academia, the need for code-switching to develop a career in multiple sectors and how to view and use your own privilege to empower others. Michael demonstrates the power of a porous career that spans academia, Chief Scientist in the Behavioural Insights Team, Chief Executive of a What Works charity and advisory work. He provides insight into the role of a professor and shares his take on protecting your wellbeing whilst building a fulfilling, multidisciplinary career in a competitive environment. 

In this episode we hear from Dr. Nigel Eady, Dr. Amy Moore and Dr. Kathy Barrett. All our guests began their careers in research and now have roles at King's College London where they support the training and development of PhDs and Research staff. We hear from them about their own career journeys, what they do from day to day in their current roles and their professional challenges. They also share their reasons to be cheerful about the future of healthy workplaces for researchers and their top tips for someone thinking about working in their roles. You can find out more about support for PGR well being at King's College London here and how we support our staff here.

Professor Evelyn Welch, Senior Vice-President for Service, People & Planning at King’s and Professor of Renaissance Studies talks about her own career journey from when a PhD was expected to last 10 years (hers didn't!), balancing temporary jobs with childcare and no maternity leave to today, in her new role as Senior Vice-President and a Wellcome Senior Investigator. She is keen to use her experience and role to support researchers to thrive in their careers through job design, career planning, secondments, collaboration, community and more. 

Listen to this episode of Careers in Your Ears to understand more about a very experienced academic's route.  Kate Murray talks to Simon Wessely (https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/professor-sir-simon-wessely), Professor of Psychiatry at King's College London, about his experiences as a clinician and epidemiologist, about the peaks and troughs of research life and the excitement of making an impact.  We also discuss the SMaRteN (https://www.smarten.org.uk/) network, a student-led research network looking at student mental health issues, and talk about the issues involved in understanding research studies looking at perceptions of mental health and stresses in occupations.  Simon describes the importance of a healthy social network, and of a good manager, in promoting good mental health. KCL PGRs can access the new PGR Wellbeing Hub here: tinyurl.com/pgrwh  Please email careers@kcl.ac.uk if you would like a transcript of this podcast.

In this episode of Careers in Your Ears, we talk with Tim Newton, Professor of Psychology as Applied to Dentistry and Dean for Research Culture at King's College London. We hear about Tim's journey in academia and why he ventured into Ethics and now Research Culture.  Tim shares 4 key pillars for the work of research culture; ethics, governance, integrity and community.  We talk about the role of community in supporting researchers' mental health, what needs to change and what's working well.  Learn more about Tim's work here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/tim-newton Science R.I.O.T. Club: http://riotscience.co.uk/ Science R.I.O.T Club on Twitter: https://twitter.com/riotscienceclub Dignity at King's: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/hr/diversity/dignity-at-kings/index For more information about support from the Centre for Research Staff Development at KCL: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/support/professional-development/centre-for-research-staff-development KCL PGR Wellbeing Hub: tinyurl.com/pgrwh   For a transcript of this episode please email careers@kcl.ac.uk  

Roger Carles-Fontana is a PhD student at King's College London and Mental Wellbeing and Events Lead at King's Doctoral Students Association (KDSA). He talks with us on this episode of Careers in Your Ears about why PGR students might struggle with their mental wellbeing and what they can do to address it.  Roger invites you to follow @KDSA_KCL on Instagram and/or Twitter to find out more information about events and resources.  They will also provide updates here about the new Mental Wellbeing Hub. You can also email them on kdsa@kclsu.org  King's Counselling & Mental Health Support: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/counselling King's Counseling & Mental Health Support (internal pages): https://self-service.kcl.ac.uk/article/KA-01164/en-us  If you would like a transcript of this episode please email careers@kcl.ac.uk with the title 'Careers in Your Ears' transcript.

This episode is the second part of a conversation about race and identity in research careers which we recorded in June 2021. Alexandria Mitchell, a PhD student at King's College London (KCL) and co-chair of the KCL Race Equality Network (www.kcl.ac.uk/hr/diversity/get-involved/networks/race-equality-network) talks with Mary Okesola who is also a PhD student at KCL and Dr. Bernadine Idowu of KCL and University of West London. (Listen to the first part of this conversation where we find out how the speakers got into academia and what that was like without visible representation of female black scientists: www.anchor.fm/careersinyourears/episodes/Series-6--Episode-8-Race-and-Identity-in-Research-Careers-Part-1-e12ffs6)     In this episode, you’ll hear the speakers discussing how the Black Lives Matter movement has affected EDI spaces in academia and science, and how we can move forward. You will also hear how, as academics, they deal with set backs (cue, conversations about resilience and the importance of not just having one, but multiple, mentors!), Bernadine runs the annual BME Early Careers Conference. Follow them on twitter you can stay up to speed with future plans for the conference: @BmeEcr  If you require a transcript of this episode please email careers@kcl.ac.uk with the title 'Transcript for CinYE S6E9' Follow us on Twitter @kcldo1thing

This episode is the first part of a conversation about race and identity in research careers. Alexandria Mitchell, a PhD student at King's College London (KCL) and co-chair of the KCL Race Equality Network (www.kcl.ac.uk/hr/diversity/get-involved/networks/race-equality-network) talks with Mary Okesola who is also a PhD student at KCL and Dr. Bernadine Idowu of KCL and University of West London. In this episode, you’ll hear why the speakers went into science and what that was like without visible representation of Black female scientists. You’ll also hear their thoughts on mentoring, job hunting and learn more about the day to day life of a senior academic. Bernadine runs the BME Early Careers Conference (www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-5th-black-and-minority-ethnic-early-career-researchers-conference-2021-tickets-143563764083) which has a waiting list for this year's event on 09 July 2021 however if you follow them on twitter you can stay up to speed with future plans for the conference: @BmeEcr  If you require a transcript of this episode please email careers@kcl.ac.uk with the title 'Transcript for CinYE S6E8'

In this episode we wanted to explore what’s happening with recruitment to roles in academia and in sectors outside academia, which PhDs and Research Staff are typically attracted to. To do this, we spoke with Rebecca Oakey, a King’s Professor of Epigenetics and Dean for Doctoral Studies and Andrew Wright, Head of Employer Engagement in King’s Careers & Employability. Listen out for advice from Rebecca about getting into academia, the value of the PhD and from Andrew, listen out for his thoughts on skills which are increasingly needed by employers and how sectors are recruiting at the moment. NB: we recorded this episode over July and August 2021, and the information shared here is time sensitive. If you require a transcript of this episode, please email careers@kcl.ac.ukquoting Transcript CinYE S6E8. Please do leave a review if you like what you hear! Links and resources mentioned in this episode: King’s Student Services  - advice on visas: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/campuslife/services/advice/advice#Immigration Institute of Student Employers (ISE) survey [available to organisation members only] this article covers some of the information Andrew referred to in this episode: https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/65171-graduates-lack-work-ready-skills-that-businesses-need-during-covid-ise-student-development-survey#!/ccomment-comment=288 Virtual work experience (and a specific programme for King’s PGRs): https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=4487645 Follow us on Twitter @kcldo1thing Remember King’s Careers and Employability can review your applications for jobs and help you with you career decision making. Simply book a 1-1 appointment, looking for ‘PhD and Research Staff’ under appointment type: https://kcl.targetconnect.net/unauth

Dr Jason Myers is a Data Scientist with Faculty AI.  Prior to this, he completed his PhD with the 'Cross-Disciplinary Approaches to Non-Equilibrium Systems' (CANES) Centre for Doctoral Training at King's College London. Jason joins us on Careers In Your Ears to talk about his (not always easy) experience finding work after the doctorate. He also shares insights into his current role and answers a question a current PhD student shared with us about the difference between coding in academia and in industry.  Jason gives us insights into tackling issues around diversity in tech. If you have questions you'd like to ask our speakers on Careers in Your Ears, please tweet us @kcldo1thing or email careers@kcl.ac.uk. We'd love to hear from you. King's PhDs and Research Staff can book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'PhD + Research Staff' under appointment type. If you would like a transcript of this episode please contact careers@kcl.ac.uk.

Dr. Hilary Jones is a former post-doctoral researcher who has worked in careers and employability, started her own business, is in training to be a psychotherapist and is now working for a non-profit organisation. In this episode she tells us her career story so far and gives us her insight into her varied career path. King's PhDs and Research Staff can book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'PhD + Research Staff' under appointment type. Check out our Career Change course: https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/mod/page/view.php?id=4821037 If you would like a transcript of this episode please contact careers@kcl.ac.uk.

Bethan Cornell is a final year PhD student at King’s College London’s Physics Department and she’s also a Policy Officer in the Higher Education Unit in the UK’s Department for Education. We discuss taking on other opportunities during the PhD, the value of connecting with people who share your interests, and we ask Bethan how a Physics PhD prepares you for non-science policy work? Starting her PhD full time, Bethan became interested in the gender disparities in people studying and researching Physics and became energised by the issues belying these inequalities. She also became interested in broader issues in higher education and happened to come across Higher Education Policy Institute. Listen in to find out what happens next. If you would like a transcript of this episode please contact careers@kcl.ac.uk. King's PhDs and Research Staff can book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'PhD + Research Staff' under appointment type.

We explore why Mohamed decided to do his PhD (which is around differences in neurodevelopment in children with different diseases).  Listen to this episode, to find out more about finding (or even creating) the right PhD for you, applying to a PhD, how it's different from a Masters, and how helpful Google can be.  He also talks about his side project of tutoring and his thoughts about his future.  'As long as you find enjoyment in what you're doing, that's your motivation.' If you're a King's student thinking of applying for a PhD, use the careers team to work through these questions for yourself. If you would like a transcript of this episode please contact careers@kcl.ac.uk. King's PhDs and Research Staff can book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'PhD + Research Staff' under appointment type.   If you're a UG or Masters student considering applying for a PhD, please see our KEATS resources on this topic https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=41567&section=17.  You can also book an appointment via kcl.targetconnect.net by looking for 'Careers Guidance' under appointment type.

Dr. Fawzi Abou-Chihane is a former science researcher who now runs his own careers consulting business. He has a background in sustainable technologies and sensor development. In this episode he talks about his decision to pursue opportunities outside academic life and his new career. If you would like a transcript of this episode, please contact us at careers@kcl.ac.uk. 

Vicki is a part-time PhD student with extensive work experience in international banking and science policy, doing a PhD in Policy and Bioethics, incorporating publications. Join us as we explore career transition and the benefits and importance of establishing a flexible career, tips for managing a part-time PhD and a fascinating insight into the world of science policy.