Event

Mid-career professional development skills workshop 2026

Brighton, UK
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A one-day series of professional workshop sessions for mid-career academics, such as lecturers and senior lecturers, designed to give a unique insight into the challenges and rewards of a life in academia. We bring together an esteemed group of academics to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities facing mid-career scholars. The workshops offer a variety of topics and give you the skills and knowledge to enhance your professional lives, including issues related to promotion, academic publishing, university and disciplinary service, grants, and engagement outside the academy. The sessions will also address balancing work and life, including parenting, care responsibilities, and ill health.

Draft programme

10am - Arrival and registration

10.15 – 11.30am 

Session 1 - From Emerging Scholar to Established Scholar- This session focuses on the process of going from an early career post, such as a Lecturer, to the most senior post of Professor. 

  • Victoria Basham (Cardiff University)
  • Mark Webber (University of Birmingham)

11.40am – 1.10pm 

Session 2 - Surviving and thriving in department, university, and disciplinary service.

This session offers advice on serving in senior department leadership role like head of department, serving in university administration, and working in disciplinary associations like BISA and ISA. 

  • Juanita Elias (Warwick University)
  • Kyle Grayson (University of Newcastle)

1.10 – 2.10pm - Lunch

2.15 – 3.30pm 

Session 3 - Academic publishing in theory and practice

This session looks at the other side of academic publishing, namely the process of running a journal, serving as an editorial board member, and overseeing a book series. 

  • Jack Holland (University of Leeds; Editor, British Journal of Politics and International Relations)
  • Andrew Mumford (University of Nottingham; Editor, European Journal of International Security)

3.40 – 4.55pm 

Session 4 - Funding and external impact

This session focuses on applying for big grants and prestigious fellowships. It also discusses opportunities to engage with the government, think tanks, and NGOs. 

  • Kseniya Oksamytna (City St. George’s, University of London)
  • Simon Rushton (University of Sheffield)

5.00 - 6.15pm - Drinks reception

Join the editors of Review of International Studies and European Journal of International Security and other participants for a drinks reception and networking.

All prices include refreshments, lunch and reception:

  • BISA members - £25pp

  • Non BISA members - £55pp 

We recommend joining BISA to save money on this and future BISA events.

Registration will close on 19 May 2026 or when all places are filled. Should the event be over-subscribed BISA members will be given priority for places.

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