Become a Champion

We are now recruiting for the 2022 intake of Open Research Champions!

Would you like to join a vibrant community of like-minded people committed to making University research more open and reproducible?

 

The Open Research Champions programme launched in 2021 with the appointment of 19 Champions across nine Schools. We are now looking for researchers, members of staff connected with research (including professional services staff), and research students (second year onwards) working any discipline who are willing to spend a few hours a month helping to build a culture of Open Research at the University.

As an Open Research Champion you will volunteer a small amount of your time to promote Open Research within your School, provide information and support to peers and colleagues, and facilitate the adoption of open and reproducible research practices.

In return we offer you opportunities to gain new knowledge and skills; to raise your public profile and extend your networks, both within and outside the University; to inform University strategy and service development; to get involved in projects; and to obtain funding for Open Research activities. You will receive training and support from the Library’s Research Engagement team.

The main qualifications to be a Champion are enthusiasm for Open Research, and a willingness to learn and share. You don’t need to be an expert – we will provide training ­– but knowledge and skills in specific open practices are always welcome!

Auvikki de Boon (PhD student, Agriculture, Policy and Development) says: ‘Being part of the Open Research Champions programme allowed me to connect with very inspiring people across the University and to learn from their experience. This programme showed me that every step, regardless how big or small, toward a more open research culture counts. Being able to contribute to this cultural change both through making my own research more open and by supporting others has been a really valuable experience. I would encourage anyone to apply to become an Open Research Champion because it is a very rewarding experience and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to become part of this cultural change.’

You can find out more about the Champions programme here. There may already be Champions in your School, but there is no limit on the number of Champions a School can have, and we encourage Champions to work together. You can contact any of our current Champions for an informal chat about the programme.

Appointments of Open Research Champions will be made for a 12-month term from April/May 2022, and may be renewed by a further 12 months on request.

This call is open for applications until 12.00 noon on Friday 11th March 2022.

There will be an information session on Thursday 17th February at 13.00-14.00. You can book your place here.

For informal enquiries, contact Robert Darby, Research Data Manager (0118 378 6161).

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming an Open Research Champion:

What’s in it for you?

Gain new experience, knowledge and skills

  • We will provide you with training and opportunities to gain new knowledge and learn new skills, which may be of direct benefit to your research and in your future career.
  • You will have the opportunity to develop transferable professional skills in communication, presentation and training delivery.

Increase your public profile and expand your network

  • We will provide you with a public profile on the Open Research Champions website (unless you choose to opt out). See profiles of current Champions here.
  • You will be recognised in your School as a local Open Research contact and voice for Open Research.
  • You will become part of the Open Research Champions community, and have opportunities to make connections throughout the University.
  • By participating in initiatives and external events you can engage with national and international networks of researchers and professionals working in different ways to advance Open Research.

Inform University strategy and service development

  • You will be an advocate for the Open Research needs of your School, and will be able to communicate those needs to the University through the Open Research Forum.
  • You will be able to propose items for discussion at meetings of the Committee on Open Research and Research Integrity (CORRI).
  • You can apply to serve for a 12 months as an ex officio member of CORRI. This will provide valuable experience of University committee work. (Only one place is available.)

Obtain funding for activities

  • You can claim up to £500 per School 12 months to support Open Research activities, e.g. to organise a workshop, to cover the expenses of speakers or trainers, or to attend an external training course or event.

The Open Research Champions programme launched in 2021 with the appointment of 19 Champions across nine Schools. We are now looking for researchers, members of staff connected with research (including professional services staff), and research students (second year onwards) working any discipline who are willing to spend a few hours a month helping to build a culture of Open Research at the University.

As an Open Research Champion you will volunteer a small amount of your time to promote Open Research within your School, provide information and support to peers and colleagues, and facilitate the adoption of open and reproducible research practices.

In return we offer you opportunities to gain new knowledge and skills; to raise your public profile and extend your networks, both within and outside the University; to inform University strategy and service development; to get involved in projects; and to obtain funding for Open Research activities. You will receive training and support from the Library’s Research Engagement team.

The main qualifications to be a Champion are enthusiasm for Open Research, and a willingness to learn and share. You don’t need to be an expert – we will provide training ­– but knowledge and skills in specific open practices are always welcome!

Auvikki de Boon (PhD student, Agriculture, Policy and Development) says: ‘Being part of the Open Research Champions programme allowed me to connect with very inspiring people across the University and to learn from their experience. This programme showed me that every step, regardless how big or small, toward a more open research culture counts. Being able to contribute to this cultural change both through making my own research more open and by supporting others has been a really valuable experience. I would encourage anyone to apply to become an Open Research Champion because it is a very rewarding experience and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to become part of this cultural change.’

You can find out more about the Champions programme here. There may already be Champions in your School, but there is no limit on the number of Champions a School can have, and we encourage Champions to work together. You can contact any of our current Champions for an informal chat about the programme.

Appointments of Open Research Champions will be made for a 12-month term from April/May 2022, and may be renewed by a further 12 months on request.

This call is open for applications until 12.00 noon on Friday 11th March 2022.

There will be an information session on Thursday 17th February at 13.00-14.00. You can book your place here.

For informal enquiries, contact Robert Darby, Research Data Manager (0118 378 6161).

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming an Open Research Champion:

What’s in it for you?

Gain new experience, knowledge and skills

  • We will provide you with training and opportunities to gain new knowledge and learn new skills, which may be of direct benefit to your research and in your future career.
  • You will have the opportunity to develop transferable professional skills in communication, presentation and training delivery.

Increase your public profile and expand your network

  • We will provide you with a public profile on the Open Research Champions website (unless you choose to opt out). See profiles of current Champions here.
  • You will be recognised in your School as a local Open Research contact and voice for Open Research.
  • You will become part of the Open Research Champions community, and have opportunities to make connections throughout the University.
  • By participating in initiatives and external events you can engage with national and international networks of researchers and professionals working in different ways to advance Open Research.

Inform University strategy and service development

  • You will be an advocate for the Open Research needs of your School, and will be able to communicate those needs to the University through the Open Research Forum.
  • You will be able to propose items for discussion at meetings of the Committee on Open Research and Research Integrity (CORRI).
  • You can apply to serve for a 12 months as an ex officio member of CORRI. This will provide valuable experience of University committee work. (Only one place is available.)

Obtain funding for activities

  • You can claim up to £500 per School 12 months to support Open Research activities, e.g. to organise a workshop, to cover the expenses of speakers or trainers, or to attend an external training course or event.

The Open Research Champions programme launched in 2021 with the appointment of 19 Champions across nine Schools. We are now looking for researchers, members of staff connected with research (including professional services staff), and research students (second year onwards) working any discipline who are willing to spend a few hours a month helping to build a culture of Open Research at the University.

As an Open Research Champion you will volunteer a small amount of your time to promote Open Research within your School, provide information and support to peers and colleagues, and facilitate the adoption of open and reproducible research practices.

In return we offer you opportunities to gain new knowledge and skills; to raise your public profile and extend your networks, both within and outside the University; to inform University strategy and service development; to get involved in projects; and to obtain funding for Open Research activities. You will receive training and support from the Library’s Research Engagement team.

The main qualifications to be a Champion are enthusiasm for Open Research, and a willingness to learn and share. You don’t need to be an expert – we will provide training ­– but knowledge and skills in specific open practices are always welcome!

Auvikki de Boon (PhD student, Agriculture, Policy and Development) says: ‘Being part of the Open Research Champions programme allowed me to connect with very inspiring people across the University and to learn from their experience. This programme showed me that every step, regardless how big or small, toward a more open research culture counts. Being able to contribute to this cultural change both through making my own research more open and by supporting others has been a really valuable experience. I would encourage anyone to apply to become an Open Research Champion because it is a very rewarding experience and will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to become part of this cultural change.’

You can find out more about the Champions programme here. There may already be Champions in your School, but there is no limit on the number of Champions a School can have, and we encourage Champions to work together. You can contact any of our current Champions for an informal chat about the programme.

Appointments of Open Research Champions will be made for a 12-month term from April/May 2022, and may be renewed by a further 12 months on request.

This call is open for applications until 12.00 noon on Friday 11th March 2022.

There will be an information session on Thursday 17th February at 13.00-14.00. You can book your place here.

For informal enquiries, contact Robert Darby, Research Data Manager (0118 378 6161).

How to apply

If you are interested in becoming an Open Research Champion:

What’s in it for you?

Gain new experience, knowledge and skills

  • We will provide you with training and opportunities to gain new knowledge and learn new skills, which may be of direct benefit to your research and in your future career.
  • You will have the opportunity to develop transferable professional skills in communication, presentation and training delivery.

Increase your public profile and expand your network

  • We will provide you with a public profile on the Open Research Champions website (unless you choose to opt out). See profiles of current Champions here.
  • You will be recognised in your School as a local Open Research contact and voice for Open Research.
  • You will become part of the Open Research Champions community, and have opportunities to make connections throughout the University.
  • By participating in initiatives and external events you can engage with national and international networks of researchers and professionals working in different ways to advance Open Research.

Inform University strategy and service development

  • You will be an advocate for the Open Research needs of your School, and will be able to communicate those needs to the University through the Open Research Forum.
  • You will be able to propose items for discussion at meetings of the Committee on Open Research and Research Integrity (CORRI).
  • You can apply to serve for a 12 months as an ex officio member of CORRI. This will provide valuable experience of University committee work. (Only one place is available.)

Obtain funding for activities

  • You can claim up to £500 per School 12 months to support Open Research activities, e.g. to organise a workshop, to cover the expenses of speakers or trainers, or to attend an external training course or event.