Agenda announced for FBA Early Career Member networking event

Written By Jo Gamble

19 March, 2025

FBA is committed to supporting the professional development needs of early career researchers and practitioners.

In 2024, we set-up the Early Career Member Network (ECMN), chaired by Dr Dania Albini and currently supported by ECs Charlie Patel, Amritha Nair, Emma Kelly, FBA Fellow Prof. Rachel Stubbington and FBA Executive Director, Simon Johnson.

We are delighted to announce our first official in-person ECMN event will be on Thursday 26th June at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton Campus. This event takes place the day after our Annual Scientific Meeting to encourage early career researchers and practitioners to attend both gatherings. Much of the event will also be attended by FBA Fellows, to enable networking and establish mentoring partnerships that offer members of the ECM network members career support.

The FBA Early Career Member networking event is taking place on Thursday 26th June – Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus

This one-day event aims to:

  • Boost ECMN development and membership

  • Promote networking and collaboration

  • Launch a new mentoring programme with FBA Fellows

  • Identify future needs such as resourcing, training, field trips

  • Plan activities and events in 2025/6

The day is fully catered and free to attend for members of FBA and the ECMN. Spaces are limited, so please book early to avoid disappointment.

“The ECM networking event presents a unique and valuable opportunity for early career folk to connect with our fellowship, which comprises some of the UK and Europe’s finest freshwater scientists.”
— Simon Johnson – FBA, Executive Director

Interested in joining the FBA Early Career Member Network?

Through the ECMN, FBA wish to improve the support we give to early-career researchers and practitioners.

‘Early-career’ refers to anyone who is:

  • in education, who finished their terminal degree (e.g. BSc, MSc or PhD) or other education < 8  years ago and/or who has yet to secure their first permanent post

  • in the first 5 years of their practitioner career

  • returning to academia or work after a career break

Our ambition is that ECMN members benefit from career-related support, and our Fellows and staff are well-placed to provide such support.

If you are an existing member of FBA (meeting the above criteria) we invite you to join the new FBA Early Career Member Network (ECMN), by sending info@fba.org.uk an email with the title ECM Network and including your name, role, institution/employer (or other organisation, if you have one) and email address.

Agenda for Early Career Member (ECM) & Fellows
Networking Meeting
Thursday 26 June 2025

9:30
Refreshments including hot / cold drinks and snacks will be available upon arrival

10:00-11:00

Part 1 - Separate Fellows and ECN sessions

  • ECMs – Short intro to the day & ‘Find Me’ icebreaker

  • FBA Fellows – Short intro to the day / FBA update / Q&A. Volunteer mentors make posters for joint session*, including brief intro / bio, networks, skills, what they can offer as a mentor

11:00-11:30
Refreshments; ECN move room to join Fellows

Part 2 - Joint ECM & Fellows session

11:30-13:00
3-min ECM lightening presentations sharing practice and/or research, and including topics such as research / project blockers / career choices and challenges

Outcomes

  • Connecting with other members and their work

  • Understanding of where FBA can meet ECM needs and wants

  • Developing a supportive ECM network

  • Identifying opportunities for FBA Fellows and ECMs to support the network

  • Increasing ECM confidence and experience of sharing work with peers and professionals

13:00-14:00
Networking lunch including mentor posters*

14:00-15:00
Round table speed-networking

  • 1:1 chats to identify and explore mentor / mentee preferred partnerships that could support mentee professional development and career progress. Each mentee asked to shortlist their preferred mentors

Outcomes

  • Connecting ECMs with potential mentors

15:00-15:30
Refreshment break and completion of final mentor shortlists

Outcomes

  • Short-lists collected by FBA ECM reps for future allocation to ensure best fit across the group and capacity of mentors.

15:30-16:20
Facilitated discussion about development of the ECM Network and future events

  • creating / sustaining the network, strengthening the committee / comms and updates, social media, resources on website, future FBA courses, bursaries

  • spreadsheet provided to share contact details / interests

Outcomes

  • Agreeing a programme of events and meetings in 2025/26

  • Identifying future training needs

  • Discussing how to recruit new members

  • Building the ECM network

  • Establishing an ECM online community, e.g. WhatsApp group

16:20-16:30
Closing remarks

16:30
Depart (and optional pub meet-up)

Associated FBA event at NTU: FBA Annual Scientific Meeting on Wednesday 25 June – Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus

Please note that this meeting is the day after the FBA Annual Scientific Meeting, at which several ECMs will be presenting their work. Discounts and bursaries are available for members of the FBA ECM network. Click here for more information, ASM agenda and registration.

 

We look forward to welcoming you at the Early Career Member (ECM) & Fellows Networking Meeting on 26 June 2025!

 

Photos of Nottingham Trent University, Clifton Campus

Early Career Member & Fellows Networking Meeting 2025
Jo Gamble
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