British Academy Leadership and Advancement SHAPE Programme Supported by the British Academy ECR Network

The British Academy is the UK’s national academy for the humanities and social sciences. We have been working with Wellcome since 2020 on two of our core programmes – Small Research Grants and Conferences – supporting researchers working across SHAPE disciplines with a focus on health and wellbeing. Our organisations have been in discussion for several months about supporting SHAPE Researchers utilising the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network as a platform for delivery. The Network is an inclusive, researcher-led membership body accessible to all UK-based early career researchers (ECRs) working in the humanities and social sciences – regardless of their funding source or background. The Network currently numbers over 5,000 ECRs in six regions with plans to extend nationally by summer 2025. This document sets out a Leadership and Advancement Programme supporting the British Academy and Wellcome ECRs. The programme responds directly to the needs expressed by the community, which we believe, will also benefit Wellcome ECRs working in SHAPE disciplines. The Programme aims to provide and enhance leadership opportunities, which will empower ECRs to build confidence, to be competitive and resilient in their careers, to equip them with the research skills, to develop professionally and to thrive in the job market.