Curious about InterAct? We’ve compiled a selection of our most commonly asked questions to help you to determine if joining our community is right for you.
If you can’t find the answer you are looking for, you can always contact us at info@interact-hub.org.
What is InterAct?
InterAct is an ESRC funded network that aims to bring together economic and social scientists, UK manufacturers, and digital technology providers to address the human issues resulting from the diffusion of new technologies in industry.
We aim to build a strong, vibrant, interdisciplinary community where funding can be effectively distributed to researchers who will generate actionable economic and social science insights for the benefit UK businesses.
What funding is available to me?
There are several distinct funding opportunities available to members of the InterAct Network, including:
- Systematic reviews
- Early career research fellowships
- Storytelling fellowships
- An impact accelerator fund
- Sandpit projects
- Traditional research funding calls
These opportunities range from those limited in duration to some spanning the three year length of the project. To find out more about what funding is currently available, visit our funding opportunities page.
How can I get involved?
We welcome stakeholders from academic, business, or digital technology sectors to join the InterAct Network.
We will be regularly holding events over the next three years, both online and in-person, to facilitate the development of relationships within the network and build connections. You can view a full list of upcoming dates on our events page.
In addition, you can follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter for news and updates or subscribe to our newsletter on our Join InterAct page.
If you are seeking funding for a project or want to see what opportunities are currently available, please refer to our funding opportunities page.
What is the definition of an Early Career Researcher (ECR)?
Early Career Researchers are normally broadly defined as within 8 years of PhD submission or having held an academic position for less than 4 years (full-time equivalent). We are also open to applications from PhD candidates in the later stages of their studies (with written permission from their PhD supervisor). ECR applicants must have a contractual arrangement with a UK university or research organisation (either as an employee or as a student), who will hold the grant on behalf of the fellow.
InterAct want to be as inclusive as possible and welcome diversity in all that we do. In recognition of the increasing diversity of career trajectories we will not narrowly follow a timebound definition of ‘early career researcher’, but rather use this as a guide.
We recognise that some researchers will embark on an active research career directly following their PhD but others will not and, as such, could still be considered as being an early career researcher for a longer period of time. If this applied to you then just tell us why we should consider you as an early career researcher (in a max of 300 words). This justification will be considered as part of the peer review process.
For example:
• Those who have spent periods of time outside of academia i.e., due to illness, parental leave, unemployment, or employment outside of academia in non-research roles.
• Applicants who may have been employed in academia but in posts with limited or no scope for their own research such as teaching-only contracts.
• Applicants may have had prior experience in one discipline but are aiming to re-skill in a new area of research.