As reported last month, the CIB Board has launched a new initiative to support a global network of researchers in the early stage of their career. Complimentary individual membership of CIB is available for such “Early Career Researchers” (ECRs) if they are not already employed by a CIB Member organisation, and the network will kick off with a series of online meetings and events, followed by the development of a mentoring activity.
We ask all CIB members to pass on this information to current students or colleagues who are ECRs, and also to former colleagues who qualify but may now be outside our membership network. Those interested in joining the network should click here to register contact details and ensure they are notified of the first activities in 2021.
Who qualifies?
CIB defines Early-Career Researchers (ECRs) as those researchers with less than 5 years’ research experience or within 5 years of obtaining a PhD or other terminal degree. It is not necessary for ECRs to hold any specific level of qualification, the network is fully inclusive no matter your level of formal educational qualification, and you may work within a university, an industry research or technology organisation, or a construction or manufacturing firm for example.
How are ECRs different, and what are their needs?
ECRs are a population of researchers who will be potentially engaged in research or innovation activities to impact the construction and built environment sectors. They are ambitious and looking to develop their career, so development of research skills, connections with researchers and stakeholder organisations around the world, and profile and recognition are some of the opportunities they are looking for.
As an ECR you may have been involved in CIB as a student or when working for a CIB member organisation, but now find yourself outside our global network. Our new ECR network provides a pathway for such recent students to stay involved with our work. Of course we hope that your employer is sufficiently enlightened to be a member of CIB already, or be willing to join, but we do not want this decision to be a barrier to someone wishing to continue to participate in our work.
Others may not have had any previous exposure to our work and know nothing about us, and we want this network to be just as valuable to you too, so you too should click here to register contact details.
Complimentary Individual Membership of CIB
We are offering Complimentary Individual Membership for up to two years to anyone who meets the above criteria and wishes to join our ECR network. All you need to do is contact us and we will add you to our database and notify you of future activities. You can then participate in the work of CIB free of charge, and at the end of two years you or your employer can decide to join CIB to allow your involvement to continue. If an ECR leads the recruitment of a new Full or Associate member of CIB, that organisation will be entitled to a 30% reduction in the normal membership fee for two calendar years.
Network activities
A programme of online events for ECRs, to add value for early career researchers and for CIB members, and to grow the network – topics will include an introduction to CIB, key research themes, and opportunities to meet leading players in the global world of research.
Participation in CIB Working Commissions and Task Groups and engagement with CIB’s global network of Student Chapters.
Connections with “CIB’s strategic global partners” with whom we liaise regularly and collaborates when opportunities present, eg UN, FIDIC, IEA, etc.
A CIB Mentoring scheme will be developed for ECRs after consultation on key features including: what do we mean by mentoring; what subjects and skills will ECRs be interested in; where do we recruit mentors from within our membership, Working Commissions etc; and how do we upskill mentors as required to make it a professional and valued service.
A CIB ‘Recognition Scheme’ for ECRs, conferring a title or citation such as “CIB Affiliated”.
CONTACT US NOW!
In order process your registration, please provide the following:
- CV
- Terminal Degree with date
- Current affiliation
- Description of expertise
- Provide 2 CIB Commissions for participation
Once received, our Programme Director Michael Behm will review your application for ECR membership. We will be in touch shortly to provide you with an update and confirmation of our first ECR Meeting planned for February 2021. Click here to register your contact details and ensure you are notified of our activities for ECRs in 2021.
