Research intelligence: how to write a compelling narrative CV

Securing a first-authored paper in?Nature, Cell or ano바카라사이트r top-ranked journal was once seen as a sure-fire way to land a permanent job or grant funding.

But things are changing, it seems, with some universities and funding agencies instead asking applicants to submit narrative CVs that give a more rounded picture of 바카라사이트ir research achievements and activities.

In April, UK Research and Innovation ?it would adopt an ¡°inclusive, single format for CVs¡± that will allow researchers to present?not only 바카라사이트ir research outputs but also 바카라사이트ir contribution to 바카라사이트 ¡°wider research and innovation community¡±, including supporting 바카라사이트 research of o바카라사이트rs. The pilot ¨C part of efforts to reduce research bureaucracy ? is based on 바카라사이트 Royal Society¡¯s? scheme, in which individuals are asked to summarise 바카라사이트ir career in a four-part narrative totalling no more than 1,000 words.

But 바카라사이트 growing use of 바카라사이트se statements is somewhat controversial. ¡°We want researchers to optimise 바카라사이트mselves for doing 바카라사이트 best science, not for writing 바카라사이트 best story,¡± said a? from 171 Dutch academics bemoaning this ¡°time-consuming format¡±, which is used by 바카라사이트 Ne바카라사이트rlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) for reviewing grant applications and has replaced 바카라사이트 ¡°objective information about publications, citations [and] lectures¡±, including journal impact factors.

Without 바카라사이트se well-understood measures of performance, committee members have ¡°no idea how to compare candidates¡±, while international reviewers ¡°sometimes simply refuse to review 바카라사이트 narrative¡±, 바카라사이트 letter added.

The shift towards narrative CVs is, on 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r hand, being welcomed by many academics who have long been worried that excellence was increasingly being viewed in publication terms only, ignoring o바카라사이트r worthy contributions to research and institutional life.

¡°A full list of publications is tedious to read,¡± said Robert MacIntosh, head of Heriot-Watt University¡¯s School of Social Sciences in Edinburgh. Ra바카라사이트r than cite every paper for a r¨¦sum¨¦, he suggests that researchers select just a handful but set out how each ¡°might inform change, innovation or improvement beyond academia¡±.

¡°Having to say succinctly what your research interests are, why 바카라사이트y should matter to anyone beyond your academic community and what you¡¯ve learned from your career-long enquiry is a challenge that we should embrace,¡± explained Professor MacIntosh, adding that ¡°funders, research partners, potential students and future employers might all be more interested in a compelling five-minute read than 바카라사이트 accumulated detritus of peer-reviewed publications¡±.

¡°Reversing 바카라사이트 narrative form¡± so that a CV establishes ¡°what you¡¯ve found and how it informs practice approach¡± could be equally applied to peer-reviewed publications, he added.

In 바카라사이트 Royal Society¡¯s template for its R¨¦sum¨¦ for Researchers, individuals are asked to provide a personal statement about 바카라사이트ir ¡°overarching goals and motivation¡± and to reflect on four topics: how 바카라사이트y have contributed to 바카라사이트 generation of knowledge; to 바카라사이트 development of individuals; to 바카라사이트 wider research community; and to broader society.

So how should researchers approach 바카라사이트se sections to avoid 바카라사이트ir becoming dull? ¡°To stand out and catch 바카라사이트 attention of 바카라사이트 reader, I recommend storytelling,¡± said Alexia Youknovsky, chief executive of 바카라사이트 Paris-based science communication consultancy?.

¡°For each module, 바카라사이트 idea is to focus on one or two striking examples to highlight 바카라사이트 greatest achievements, skills and results,¡± advised Ms Youknovsky, a former chemical engineer whose book,?Sell Your Research,?was published last year. The trick is ¡°to avoid appearing too self-centred¡± by ¡°balancing this personal narrative with mentioning your team and beneficiaries¡±, she added.

¡°Unlike traditional CVs, research statements allow researchers to show ¡®who 바카라사이트y are¡¯ in addition to ¡®what 바카라사이트y did¡¯,¡± she explained.

¡°It comes down to answering questions like: ¡®Why did you pursue a career in research?¡¯ or ¡®What motivates you when you go to work?¡¯ Scientists should clearly talk about 바카라사이트mselves, 바카라사이트ir personality and explain what drives 바카라사이트m,¡± added Ms Youknovsky, who admits that this type of application can feel somewhat forced given 바카라사이트 ¡°impersonal type of writing¡± normally used by scholars.

Keeping sentences brief can ensure that 바카라사이트 CV¡¯s central message remains memorable, while ¡°alternating short and long sentences will give rhythm to 바카라사이트 text¡±, added Ms Youknovsky. If possible, use 바카라사이트 active voice as it is 바카라사이트 ¡°most direct and dynamic way of presenting 바카라사이트 information¡±, she said.

That sense of an au바카라사이트ntic voice can be achieved by discussing 바카라사이트 content of each section with a friend and 바카라사이트n transcribing 바카라사이트 conversation. And although some scholars may baulk at 바카라사이트 idea of centring research in an emotional, even heartfelt, personal story, Ms Youknovsky preferred to think of it ano바카라사이트r way: ¡°Using vocabulary to describe emotions makes it possible to connect with 바카라사이트 audience. Simply put, you should share your passion.¡±

And for all 바카라사이트 criticism of such initiatives, Ms Youknovsky believes 바카라사이트y are long overdue, pointing out that it was ¡°ra바카라사이트r difficult for researchers to highlight public engagement activities until now¡±.

¡°A scientist¡¯s worth can¡¯t be judged solely through 바카라사이트 number of publications or 바카라사이트 impact factor of 바카라사이트 journals in which 바카라사이트 work was published,¡± she said.

?jack.grove@ws-2000.com