A deep dive podcast into the journeys, challenges and triumphs of Early Career Researchers, launched by the British Academy in collaboration with the Leverhulme Trust, will be hosted by an academic from Lancaster University’s new School of Global Affairs.

Dr Leonie Smith, a lecturer in Philosophy at Lancaster University, will take the mic to present Confessions of an Early Career Researcher’, ‘by ECRs, for ECRs’ providing survival tips and career advice for the journey into the sometimes daunting, but also rewarding, world of a post-PhD.

Dr Smith, also a member of the British Academy’s Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN), will be joined by two other Lancaster University academics, Dr Temidayo Eseonu, a lecturer in Politics and Policy, and Dr Inés Gregori Labarta, a lecturer in Creative Writing, who take up podcast guest chairs.

The podcast offers support and advice to early-career academics by demystifying the world of higher education and increasing their knowledge of opportunities.

The season features six episodes of roughly 30 minutes each, covering topics such as navigating the ECR landscape, how to apply for grant funding, networking and mentoring.

Guests include Dr Ayesha Omar, British Academy International Fellow, Professor Anna Vignoles, Fellow of the British Academy and Director of the Leverhulme Trust, Cardiff University sociologist Dr April-Louise Pennant and King’s College London Lecturer in Global Cultures Dr Pavan Mano.

Dr Eseonu features on the first episode: ‘Finding Your Voice: What makes an ECR?’. This episode is live now. Dr Gregori Labarta will be on the last episode: ‘Wellness and community in academia’ which comes out on 15 October.

Host Dr Smith said: “We set out to make this podcast guiding and supportive, while also being realistic about the first few years of an academic career. Each episode is packed with personal stories and practical tips from ECRs at different career stages.

“Through the individual, authentic and personal experiences of our guests, you really get to understand the realities of building a life in, and sometimes beyond, academia - and how to do this while holding on to the joy and fulfilment of the research, teaching and desire to make an impact that brought us all here in the first place.”

Director of the Leverhulme Trust and Fellow of the British Academy Professor Anna Vignoles said:“The Leverhulme Trust’s centenary year is an opportunity not only to provoke a wider discussion about the value of blue skies research but to increase our support for early career researchers.

“To that end, we are excited to be collaborating with the British Academy on this new podcast to help early career researchers navigate every stage of their career journey.”

Listen and subscribe to the first three episodes of ‘Confessions of an Early Career Researcher’ at www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/audio-video/confessions-of-an-early-career-researcher.

The new podcast is launched after the British Academy’s Early Career Researcher Network (ECRN) became nationwide earlier this month.

Established in 2021, the ECRN is a UK-wide, inclusive, researcher-led membership body for all ECRs based in the UK and working in the humanities and social sciences, regardless of their funding source or background.