Our worldwide Early Career Researchers (ECR) network was announced in December 2020, and is open to researchers with fewer than 5 years’ research experience or recently obtained their PhD. The network is an opportunity to engage with fellow researchers, experts within their fields and the global network of CIB members.
Who qualifies?
CIB defines 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 are 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, register with secretariat@cibworld.org
ECR Network membership
CIB has been offering complimentary individual membership to anyone who meets the above criteria and wishes to join our ECR network. This has now come to an end, and members will now be required to pay an annual fee of €50 to participate in CIB commissions, attend events and collaborate with the global network. All you need to do is contact us. If an ECR is employed at an organisation which is a Full or Associate member of CIB, the ECR is automatically a member of the network through their institiution and there is no ECR network membership fee to pay.
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. Events so far announced specifically for ECRs can be seen here.
Participation in CIB Working Commissions and Task Groups and engagement with CIB’s global network of Student Chapters.
ECR Committee
The ECR network is overseen by Future Leaders Committee drawn from a range of types of CIB members around the world, chaired by CIB Board Member Srinath Perera. We would like to grow involvement of ECRs in this committee, so expressions of interest are invited at any time from ECRs or others with an interest and value to add. Please contact us.