His parallel session explores how research networks and networking practices can play a transformative role in supporting early career researchers (ECRs) as they transition into established researchers, with a particular emphasis on strengthening and sustaining the research pipeline. In contemporary higher education and research systems, success is increasingly shaped not only by individual academic excellence, but also by the ability to access, participate in, and contribute meaningfully to collaborative networks. As such, networks have become central to research visibility, leadership development, funding access, and long-term scholarly sustainability.
The session is grounded in the recognition that research careers are no longer linear or individually driven trajectories. Instead, they are shaped by complex ecosystems of collaboration that include universities, funding agencies, research councils, and disciplinary or thematic networks. Within this context, structured and intentional networking is emerging as a critical mechanism for enabling ECRs to build research profiles, develop leadership capacity, and secure opportunities for advancement within increasingly competitive and globalised research environments.
Bringing together representatives from national funding bodies, university-based research networks, and institutional research management offices, the panel will offer a systems-level perspective on how networks are designed, supported, and sustained across different parts of the research ecosystem. This multi-stakeholder composition will allow for a nuanced exploration of how different actors contribute to shaping opportunities for ECR engagement. Funders will reflect on how research programmes and grants are structured to incentivise collaboration and leadership development. University representatives will discuss how institutions facilitate access to national and international networks, while research offices will highlight the practical support provided to ECRs in navigating funding landscapes, partnerships, and collaborative projects.
The discussion will be guided by three key thematic areas. First, the panel will consider how networks support the progression of ECRs into leadership and agenda-setting roles within their respective disciplines and fields. This includes examining how exposure to collaborative environments enables ECRs to move beyond individual project work and begin to shape research priorities, contribute to consortiums, and participate in strategic research initiatives.
Second, the session will explore the role of institutions and funding bodies in creating equitable and sustainable networking opportunities. Particular attention will be given to questions of access, inclusion, and structural inequality, including how emerging researchers from under-resourced institutions or marginalised backgrounds can be meaningfully integrated into high-level research networks. The panel will reflect on existing models of support and identify gaps that may limit equitable participation.
Third, the discussion will focus on practical strategies that ECRs can use to engage effectively in networks and partnerships. This includes building professional relationships, identifying suitable collaborative opportunities, leveraging institutional support structures, and positioning themselves strategically within disciplinary and interdisciplinary research communities.
Audience engagement will form an integral part of the session, with moderated questions and interactive prompts designed to draw on the lived experiences of ECRs and institutional stakeholders. This participatory approach will ensure that the discussion is grounded in real-world challenges and opportunities faced by researchers at different stages of their careers.
The expected outcome of the session is to develop a shared understanding of how research networks can be strengthened as a deliberate component of research system development. The panel aims to generate practical recommendations for funders, universities, and research management offices on how to design, resource, and sustain networks that prioritise meaningful ECR participation and leadership development. In addition, the session will provide ECRs with actionable insights into how to engage strategically within networks, build collaborative relationships, and position themselves for progression toward established researcher status.
Ultimately, the session argues that investing in robust, inclusive, and well-supported research networks is not only essential for individual academic career development, but is also critical for building resilient, innovative, and impactful research systems capable of addressing complex societal challenges.