ECR Pioneer Award

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Call for Nominations for the BRNet Early Career Pioneer Award

The BRNet Early Career Pioneer Award recognizes outstanding independent and original contributions to body representation research, highlighting individuals with the potential to become future leaders in the field. Eligible nominees must have obtained their PhD (or equivalent degree) within six years prior to the nomination deadline, with allowances for career breaks or part-time employment. Nominees can hold a permanent position, but for no more than two years.

 

Nominations will be judged on the following criteria:

    •    Quality and originality of research contribution: 

            A clear contribution to body representation research. This may include advances in understanding a specific patient               group, novel methodological approaches or data analysis techniques (relative to the field), or applications of open                  science practices. Emphasis will be placed on work that meaningfully advances the field.

    •    Research impact (academic and/or societal): 

            Evidence that the research has had influence beyond the immediate project. This could include academic impact,                   influence on practice or policy, public engagement, or contributions to open science.

    •    Leadership and research independence: 

            Demonstrated ability to lead research projects. This is evidenced by leading and shaping research projects, and                     publishing work as first or senior author independently of their PhD supervisors.

    •    Mentorship and contribution to research culture: 

           Evidenced by supporting the development of other researchers, including supervision of students, peers or RAs,                      meaningful contributions to inclusive research environments, or broader contributions to the research community.

    •    Future potential and emerging influence: 

           This may be evidenced by an emerging coherent research programme, innovative thinking, or growing recognition                 within the field (invited talks and/or collaborations).

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Traditional academic metrics (e.g., publication count, H-index, journal impact factors) will not be considered in the assessment, with the focus on substance and influence of the work rather than quantitative metrics.

Nominations must be submitted by an established researcher in body representation (i.e., a PhD holder with relevant publications in the field). Self-nominations are also accepted. Each submission should include the nominee’s CV and a nomination letter (maximum two pages) detailing how the nominee meets the award criteria, supported by specific examples and key publications.

 

Nominations must be sent to the BRNet Chairs by 1st January, 2026 (m.longo@bbk.ac.uk; catherine.preston@york.ac.uk)

 

Award winners will be invited to give a prize talk at the following BRNet Conference. Travel and accommodation should ordinarily be covered in the same manner as for keynote speakers.