Introducing the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Early Career Researcher Assembly 

What is the Early Career Researcher Assembly? 

Starting in January 2024, an Assembly for early career researchers at the University of Cambridge in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (AHSS ECRs). Supported by the Schools of Arts & Humanities/Humanities & Social Sciences, and hosted by CRASSH, the Assembly aims to address the isolation and detachment often felt by ECRs. 

Why has it been created? 

To enhance support for Early Career Researchers, providing opportunities for AHSS ECRs to form communities beyond their home departments. The Assembly seeks to advocate for issues like career progression and reward. 

What will it do?  

The Assembly offers a space for AHSS ECRs to meet, discuss development needs, and raise concerns. It identifies challenges, proposes resource improvements, and contributes to implementing external frameworks. School representatives act as a direct link between the Assembly and executive bodies. 

How does it work?  

The Assembly meets termly, offering occasional development activities. It has its Teams channel for easy communication. School Reps (appointed in Nov/Dec for the following calendar year) attend Council and Strategy Group meetings, ensuring AHSS ECRs' voices are heard.

Formal Terms of Reference for the Assembly are available [link here].

Why should you consider joining? 

Joining the Assembly enhances peer support and engagement with concerns like REF, promotion, teaching, and collaboration. Serving as a School rep provides leadership development, career enhancement, and support from the Postdoc Academy. 

Do I need to enrol? 

All AHSS ECRs will receive an invitation to join automatically. Enrolment in the Teams channel is encouraged for discussions. University Teaching Officers are also welcomed to participate. Self-enrolment via AHSSResearchStrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk is also welcome!

If you are interested in becoming a School Rep in 2026, please register your interest with AHSSResearchStrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk. School reps attend Council meetings, contribute to strategy reviews, and receive an end-of-appointment allowance. 

What happens next? 

Let's build a stronger AHSS ECR community together. Sign up for the Assembly, consider being a School Rep in 2026, and engage with these new opportunities. Stay connected, share your thoughts, and actively participate in the Assembly's activities.    

To join the Teams channel for the ECR Assembly and be part of emerging conversations, please email AHSSResearchStrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk with ‘Join ECR Assembly’ in the subject line and you will be added manually. Alternatively, find our channel directly in Teams and request to join. **Sign up to the ECR Assembly Teams Channel**  

Background

Support for Early Career Researchers is a key development priority for both Schools and for the University as a whole. The Schools are keen to provide more opportunities for AHSS ECRs to form communities beyond their home Department, and to develop advocacy for issues that are important to them, such as reward and career progression.  

ECRs often express a sense of detachment from the decision-making process at Cambridge, and a sense of isolation as many are in lone-scholar teams. The Assembly seeks to address both of these issues.  

The Assembly will provide a space where AHSS ECRs can meet for peer support, discuss development needs and raise issues or concerns to executive level (via School representation).  

The Assembly will be asked to identify challenges encountered by AHSS ECRs, and to bring forward proposals for how resources can be better structured to meet their current needs and career aspirations, and to recognise contributions to teaching and research. This could include mobilising existing facilities and structures or proposing new activities. The Assembly will also contribute to localised implementation of relevant external frameworks such as the Researcher Development Concordat and DORA.  

For all queries, please contact AHSSResearchStrategy@admin.cam.ac.uk

Get involved!

Feel free to contribute, attend events, and share your ideas within the Assembly. There's no long-term commitment required - participate to the extent that suits you. The doors are always open for collaboration and knowledge exchange.