The event was a chance to celebrate the positive change that LURA will bring as a hub of support for all involved in Loughborough’s research ecosystem. Attendees were also given a preview of some of the LURA projects currently in development, which include:
- A multi-strand fellowship programme that will take researchers from introductory grounding through to targeted expert support for securing fellowships.
- Targeted career mentoring for research and research professional staff, delivered through a pilot programme of mentoring circles.
- A secondments scheme to facilitate research visits, collaborations, and the development of cross-sector relationships.
- A Career Mobility Fund available as a first step to develop ideas.
- A summer school programme to nurture undergraduates and masters’ students into the research pipeline.
The LURA website is now live for colleagues to explore, and the LURA SharePoint provides more information on all LURA programmes, including a research training directory that collates all opportunities available to research staff from across the University. The SharePoint will continue to develop as further opportunities are added.
Dr Kathryn North, Director of LURA, commented: “There was a great sense of positivity in the room at the launch event, reflecting the exciting opportunity that LURA has to empower our research community. The LURA programmes launching in 2026 form part of our commitment to nurture talent and support world-leading research, with much more still to come.”
You can visit the Research Academy team in person at the Research Academy Hub in the Angela Marmont building (Graduate House) and promote your event/activity on the LURA SharePoint by emailing research.academy@mailbox.lboro.ac.uk.