Whilst there’s plenty of support for new researchers and senior academics, those in the middle often find themselves navigating career challenges without targeted guidance.

The Established Researchers project explored the experiences of established researchers across the sector and identified a need for more relevant, practical support at this stage of a research career.

We define established researchers as “an academic who has achieved functional independence and institutional recognition in their research capacity, whilst continuing to develop their professional identity and navigate complex career transitions.” This includes those beyond early career stages whose roles and responsibilities are evolving and expanding, for example through taking on leadership responsibilities, managing people or teams, or shaping research direction or priorities.

What did the project look at?

Through interviews and engagement with researchers, the project examined:

• the challenges and pressures that emerge beyond early career stages
• how researchers make sense of leadership, progression, and responsibility
• what kinds of support are most useful at this stage

What did we find?

Our initial report findings highlight the unique professional development needs of established researchers. A consistent message from this work was that established researchers do not need generic advice or large volumes of new content. Instead, they value relevant perspectives, practical ideas, and opportunities for reflection that recognise the complexity of this career stage.

What came out of the project?

These findings directly shaped the Established Researchers Hub, a curated collection of good practice from across the sector, well-established models and frameworks, and practical tools and reflective prompts. The Hub is the first phase of a growing resource, and new materials will be added over time, with updates shared through White Rose communications.

Launched in March 2026, the Hub has three core sections:

1. Curated resources organised around five researcher personas, so you can find what is most relevant to your situation. At the heart of the hub is the Juggler, capturing the shared experience of competing demands that almost every established researcher recognises, alongside four distinct personas reflecting different research leadership models: the Lab Builder, the Independent Scholar, the Project Architect, and the Boundary Spanner
2. Peer discussion guides, designed for small self-organised groups to explore common challenges together
3. Career stories, offering honest, grounded reflections from established researchers on their own academic pathways

Related links

About the Hub: how it was created and how to use it
Slide deck: About the Established Researchers Hub
Discover your persona with our quiz
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