The specific positions that are available are Chair, Secretary, Events, Treasurer, Communications Officer, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Brief role descriptions can be found below. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved in an active, dynamic, and highly collegiate committee, to contribute to an array of well-received events and activities organised by the ECN, and to shape the future of the PSA’s provision for early career researchers.

Nominations are now open and will close on Friday 25th June, with elections held as necessary after that.

To nominate yourself or someone else (with their permission) please send an email to [email protected] indicating the position that you or the nominee wish to stand for along with a short (200 words maximum) statement on why you or the nominee are suitable for the post and wish to stand for it.

To be eligible for a position on the committee, nominees must be studying for their PhD or within three years of completing their viva.

All of the roles entail attendance at ECN meetings, which take place at most once a month, either in person or via Skype. Further, all committee members are involved in the organisation of the ECN’s events (such as activities at the PSA Annual International Conference, and the ECN’s own annual conference), and should be available to attend at least some of them over the course of the year. All travel and subsistence costs incurred in relation to ECN activities can be claimed back from the PSA, and ECN committee members enjoy free attendance at the PSA Annual International Conference.

Which roles are up for election?

Chair
 

•  Chairs and introduces public events organised by the ECN
•  Chairs the monthly ECN committee meetings
•  Represents the ECN to and within the PSA
•  Acts as the first point of contact for high-profile external speakers at ECN events
•  Contributes to the general activities of the ECN and, especially, event organisation
   

Secretary
 

• Draft and circulates the agenda and minutes relating to the monthly ECN committee meetings
•  Coordinates the activities of the ECN committee and ensures relevant information is shared
•  Manages the ECN’s shared Dropbox folder
•  Supports the Chair in their activities
•  Contributes to the general activities of the ECN and, especially, event organisation

Events

• Work with the committee to organise events that the Early Career Network puts on every year.
• Organise events ranging from stand-alone ECN events like our annual conference, to careers and training workshops.
• Cooperate on events collaborations with the PSA’s specialist groups.
• Help run ECN events at the main PSA Annual Conference.
• Lead on the ECN’s grant scheme for member-run events.

Treasurer 
 

• Drafts the ECN’s annual budget request to the PSA, in consultation with the ECN committee
•  Maintains a record of the ECN’s expenditure and available funds
•  Advises the ECN committee on appropriate expenditure relating to its activities
•  Maintains contact and coordinates with the PSA Finance Officer
•  Contributes to the general activities of the ECN and, especially, event organisation
   

Communications Officer
 

• Maintains the ECN’s Twitter account and Facebook page
•  Regularly posts information and updates on the ECN’s activities via the above social media
•  Draws together and sends the ECN’s quarterly e-newsletter and additional mailshots as required
•  Sets and maintains the schedule for ECN communications as well as keeping the ECN committee appraised of the copy deadlines for PSA News and the PSA’s e-newsletters
•  Maintains contact and coordinates with the PSA Communications and Media Relations Officer
•  Contributes to the general activities of the ECN and, especially, event organisation

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer 

• Responsible for ensuring that the values of equality, diversity and are embedded within the PSA ECN
• To support and represent the interests of our diverse body of politics ECR’s, including but not limited to: mature, disabled, international, LGBTQ, carer, women, multiple faith group and socioeconomically precarious ECR’s
• Ensure that PSA ECN events are accessible to all ECR’s
• Maintain communications with under-represented or disadvantaged groups, and draw attention to any instances of discriminatory behavior within the PSA ECN and wider PSA
• If/where possible, develop and maintain contacts with relevant external community and voluntary organisations representing under-represented or disadvantaged ECR groups