University of Gloucestershire is a member of a South West consortium of universities supporting a new programme aimed at creating the research leaders of the future.

The British Academy, the UK's national academy for the humanities and social sciences, has just announced an expansion to its Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Network into the South West region, aimed at UK-based postdoctoral researchers in humanities and social sciences.

University of Gloucestershire, which offers a variety of postgraduate taught degrees and postgraduate research degrees, will work with four other universities in the region - Bath Spa, Bournemouth, Plymouth and UWE - and the four universities within the GW4 Alliance - Bath, Bristol, Cardiff and Exeter - to help facilitate networking events and activities for ECRs in the South West.

This two-year pilot programme, made possible due to a partnership with the Wolfson Foundation - an independent charity with a focus on research and education - aims to establish an inclusive, UK-wide network for ECRs in the humanities and social sciences, providing opportunities for skills development and networking across the whole country.

Dr Joanna Jenkinson MBE, GW4 Alliance director, said: "We are delighted that the British Academy has recognised our commitment to supporting ECRs and to creating the research leaders of the future, which is directly relevant to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) R&D People and Culture Strategy.

"This new ECR network further strengthens GW4's core mission, which is to enable new collaborations and research opportunities across the region that would not be possible within one institution alone."

The launch of the new hub in the South West region follows the launch of the first hub in the Midlands in September, led by the University of Birmingham.

One further hub will be announced during the two-year pilot programme.

Following the launch of the second hub, researchers from both the South West and the Midlands are invited to join the ECR Network via the British Academy's website.

Humanities and social sciences researchers who identify as early career are eligible to join, regardless of their funding source or background. This includes those working outside of academia, in independent research organisations and other policy or third sector institutions, and those not in employment, but with relevant links into the Midlands and South West research communities.