Early Career Researcher Community

Welcome to our Early Career Researcher (ECR) Community – an inclusive and supportive platform designed to empower emerging researchers in digital innovation and the circular economy across the UK. 

This group is led by Dr. Lirong Liu, Associate Professor at the University of Surrey.

We’re here to nurture a strong pipeline of talent that will drive forward digital innovation and circular economy implementation, offering tailored opportunities for collaboration, development, and visibility. In developing our Inclusive Community, we’re promoting our ECR community and supporting development through:

     Regular meetings to share research, advice and collaboration​

     Dedicated events and skills development, including Summer Schools​

     Funding opportunities, with support to access those opportunities​

     Introductions to wider Networks and ECR groups

Meet our ECRs

Discover and connect with ECRs in our vibrant community and learn more about their innovative research.

We define an ECR in line with UKRI guidance – typically within 8 years of completing a PhD or equivalent professional experience. We also recognise the impact of career breaks and welcome researchers from diverse career paths.

Read more >

Our ECR Community Objectives

Enhanced understanding & capability

Focused on upskilling and capacity building, through a range of activities, ECRs are empowered to deepen their knowledge, grow professionally, and connect meaningfully across the network. Opportunities include workshops, webinars, roadshows and networking events.

Inclusive leadership & network influence

Supporting ECRs to build confidence, visibility and connections across academic networks, we also offer access to extensive industry and policy partners. Through skills development and outreach support, we provide opportunities to raise awareness and amplify ECR voices across the network.

Accelerate adoption & implementation​

Helping ECRs turn ideas into impact through signposting and providing access to funding opportunities. Including practical support and knowledge exchange, our dedicated activities aim to accelerate the adoption of circular economy research and its implementation in real-world contexts.

Join Our Community

Our ECR Community is open to all Early Career Researchers interested in digital innovation and the circular economy. By joining, you’ll become part of a supportive and inclusive network offering:

  • Monthly meetings to share research, advice, and opportunities
  • Access to funding support and guidance
  • Skill-building workshops and Summer School events
  • Mentorship from senior researchers and peers
  • Visibility for your research through newsletters and showcases
  • Introductions to other ECR groups and networks

📩 Interested in joining? Email us at dice-network@exeter.ac.uk to get involved!

Hear from Dr Marcos Oliveira Jr., part of our ECR community, on what excites him most about the DICE Network+ and the opportunities for digital innovation in accelerating the transition to a circular economy.

Launched in January 2025, the Digital Innovation and Circular Economy (DICE) Network+ is an EPSRC-funded, three-year programme that seeks to leverage the digitalisation of industry to foster a circular economy across sectors and value chains for digital and communication technologies. Our Network+ comprises eleven investigators from nine UK universities, along with a breadth of academic, industry and policy partners.