Forging new research talent

Promising researchers sought for Welsh Crucible

The search is on for the next generation of talented researchers building their careers in Wales.

Welsh Crucible, the development scheme for the nation’s research leaders of the future, is recruiting for this summer’s capacity-building programme.

Welsh Crucible selects 30 of the most promising of the nation’s early to mid-career researchers for a series of intensive workshops. The residential workshops, or “labs” aim to build innovative thinking skills and help researchers think about how their knowledge can usefully be applied in the public sphere.

The three two-day residential labs include guest speakers, seminars and skills sessions. The researchers will learn to:  

• develop a network of research peers across disciplines and build links with Welsh Government, the National Assembly for Wales and the Welsh media;
• find new ways of thinking and working
• improve their effectiveness within and beyond their organisations
• develop skills in public engagement and interaction with the media and policy makers, building the potential impact of their research

Now in its second year, Welsh Crucible, is run by the five Welsh Universities of the St David’s Day Group, which includes Bangor. Many of last year’s participants are now developing interdisciplinary research projects as a result of taking part in the programme.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Bangor University, Professor David Shepherd, explained his enthusiasm for the Welsh Crucible programme, saying "I have long held a belief that collaboration between researchers and entrepreneurs of all disciplines is absolutely key to successful innovation. The Welsh Crucible is an excellent example of this approach in action and the results from last year's initial programme demonstrate that this exciting approach to research and development in Wales is creating the leaders and innovators that will help to secure the future of Wales' knowledge economy."

Chair of the Welsh Crucible Steering Group, Professor Peter Halligan said: “The Welsh Crucible benefits researchers, their employers and the nation as a whole. We are looking for talented people with an interest in building new collaborations and with a commitment to Wales. Last year’s Welsh Crucible built some very promising partnerships and some of the researchers say their participation has helped them achieve recent grant funding success. We expect this year’s Crucible to be just as productive.”

Applicants for Welsh Crucible must have at least three years’ postdoctoral research experience or equivalent. They can be working in any discipline, including science, technology, engineering, medicine, arts, design, social and political science.  Participants must work in Wales, either at a St David’s Day university (Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Glamorgan or Swansea) or in research and development in business, industry or the public sector.

Further information on applying can be found at http://www.welshcrucible.org.uk/ or by contacting Penny Dowdney,  Research Skills Development Manager (KESS) on t: 01248 382266 or by emailing p.j.dowdney@bangor.ac.uk

Publication date: 8 February 2012