Early Career Researcher (ECR) Programme

ECRs

Overview

The Conservation Research Institute's bespoke Early Career Researcher (ECR) Programme supports master's and PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and early career professionals as they develop the skills needed for successful careers in academia, conservation, policy and beyond.

The programme is also open to individuals within Cambridge Conservation Initiative (CCI) partner organisations who identify as early career researchers, recognising that career pathways into conservation are diverse.

A Programme Shaped by Researchers

The ECR Programme was developed in response to a needs-assessment survey that explored participants' training priorities and their enthusiasm for leading activities themselves.

This has evolved into a programme of weekly, term-time events, with many sessions organised and led by ECRs, providing valuable leadership experience alongside professional development.

Activities include:

  • Entrepreneurship for science
  • Coding clubs
  • Writing workshops
  • Interdisciplinary dialogues
  • Termly events with external speakers and facilitators, covering topics such as Building a Career in Conservation and How to Network

Building Skills for Conservation Careers

The programme helps participants develop transferable skills that are increasingly important for tackling today's conservation challenges, including:

  • Fundraising
  • Policy impact
  • Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Leadership and professional development

By bringing together researchers from different disciplines and organisations, the programme helps break down traditional academic boundaries and encourages the collaborative approaches needed to address the biodiversity crisis.