Series 10: Ep6 Narrative CVs Demystified

May 17, 2024

In this engaging discussion, Becky Iopolo, a researcher on the ARC Project at Cambridge, and Kate Murray, a careers consultant for researchers, unravel the concept of narrative CVs. They emphasize how these innovative tools can transform recruitment and career planning by showcasing diverse skills. Iopolo and Murray address their rising importance in academia, the challenges they tackle, and offer tips for writing compelling narrative CVs. They also highlight the need for accessible resources to empower researchers from all backgrounds.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Exploring the Impact of Narrative CVs on Research Culture

01:45 • 5min

Exploring the Impact and Use of Narrative CVs in Academia

06:49 • 4min

Navigating Narrative CVs in Recruitment

10:36 • 21min

Empowering Researchers Through Accessible Resources

31:58 • 2min

“Narrative CVs are an attempt to be able to surface all of the things which academics do in a structured way.”

We would like to invite all researchers and their supporters, developers and enablers to build their awareness of Narrative CVs (NCV) with this podcast episode. They are increasingly used for funding applications, in recruitment or promotion processes, and as such are also a useful framework for academic career planning.

We are delighted to be joined by narrative CV researchers, Becky Ioppolo and Kate Murray from the University of Cambridge who are doing fascinating research into the use of narrative CVs to uncover more about them and answer the big questions about whether or not they meet their purpose of being more inclusive, how to write a good one and where you can go to find out more.

Resources below mentioned in the episode:

King’s researchers can access one-to-one specialist careers support and narrative CV resources. If you are based in another institution, check for careers support and training available to you.
Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI): guidance – UKRI
Video-based resource from the University of Glasgow provides insights as to how other researchers have approached writing an NCV
The University of Oxford’s resource on writing NCVs. Search their website for more information on writing team NCVs.
NCV sharing platform - Join for access to narrative CV examples, set up by the Marie Curie Fellowship Alumni Association and others.
ARRC Project one-page PDF supporting researchers to write an NCV and signposting to many different sources of help.
ARRC Project NCV FAQs and do submit any you would like them to answer!
LSE blog post⁠ - Bordignon et al. summarise the reasons behind the creation of the NCV
Evaluation from the FNR, Luxembourg national funder, mentioned in connection with the amount of time it takes to write an NCV.
Alzheimer’s Research UK podcast on implementation and general advice

Jargon:

NCV - narrative CV

R4RI - Resume for Research Innovation (same as a narrative CV)

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation - UK government research funding

ARRC Project - Action Research on Research Culture