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Networking

What does the word “Networking” mean to you?

For some it is a necessary evil, for others it fills them with dread, but for others it is an exciting process of getting to know lots of people.

Whatever it means to you, it is something that is worth getting to grips with and is simply the process of getting to know people and building relationships for the purpose of sharing and increasing knowledge and uncovering new opportunities.

Developing these contacts can mean the difference between getting a promotion, being invited to speak at a conference or being in the know about departmental developments and job opportunities.

As well as helping you to develop contacts, networking allows you to share your experiences and ideas with others, helps combat isolation and can result in increased confidence and self-esteem.

The following ideas should help to get you started but be creative and come up with your own ways too…

Networking opportunities

• Read “Meeting the right people” (Pdf 66Kb) and “Networking Tips” (Word 26.5Kb)

• The University has identified several interdisciplinary Research Themes. Each theme is led by a senior academic and there are events and seminars organised within many of them. These are great opportunities for networking.

• The University’s Institute for Advanced Studies has funding available for researchers who want to organise interdisciplinary events

• Research Staff Mentoring or becoming a Research Staff Rep would enable you to meet research staff in other departments

• Vitae, a national organisation supporting the training and development of researchers runs events and courses.

• Visit the Research Staff web pages for your area of research on the Royal Society website. Where you can find information about programmes and networking opportunities allowing you to make contacts with people in your field.

• Bristol Enterprise Network (BEN) is designed to help build relationships between organisations at all levels of business, as well as researchers and academics. 

• British Science Association Festival of Science
  This event is a great place to network with other researchers and scientists from UK and abroad as well as media representatives passionate about sharing science with the public.

• If you are a woman in Science, Engineering or Technology, visit the UK Resource Centre for women in SET community webpage and consider joining one of the University of Bristol Women in SET Mentoring Circles.

• The Graduate Junction is an online global research community bringing together Masters, Doctoral and Postdoctoral researchers from many disciplines with the aim of sharing experiences and knowledge, and building collaborations.

• Case studies of ways in which networking has helped people to get ahead

• Relevant training:

• As well as developing your skills, training can be a great way to meet and connect with other researchers. You can find details of internal and external training courses on the training pages. In particular:

• The Effective Networking in Research course aims to give you tools and practise to help you network with more confidence

• You may find Information Overload Part II: Memory Systems and Skills useful if you find it difficult to remember names!