Training & Development

Trusted Research

International collaboration is central to the University's research and innovation activities. In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, it is important to recognise potential research security risks and take appropriate steps to protect research, data, intellectual property, and international partnerships. 

 

Trusted Research is a UK initiative led by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). It supports universities, researchers and industry in safeguarding research integrity and protecting against threats to national security. 

 

Research and Innovation support researchers in conducting international collaborations safely and securely including partner due diligence, risk assessment, and research security compliance. 

 

Trusted Research considerations are relevant for projects involving: 

• STEM disciplines 

• Dual-use technologies 

• Emerging and enabling technologies 

• Commercially sensitive research 

• Strategic international partnerships 

 

You should consider Trusted Research principles when: 

• Collaborating with an international partner or institution 

• Receiving funding from an overseas source 

• Working with sensitive data, technology, materials or know-how 

• Travelling overseas for research purposes 

• Sharing research outputs that may have dual-use applications 

• Establishing new partnerships or informal collaborations 

 

Principal Investigators, researchers, and departmental research support staff are responsible for identifying potential research security risks and implementing appropriate mitigation measures where required.

 

Export Controls

UK export controls may apply when goods, software, technology, or technical knowledge are shared outside the UK, particularly in STEM, dual-use technologies, advanced engineering, artificial intelligence, materials science, aerospace, electronics, quantum technologies. Export licences may be required before certain items or information can be transferred internationally. Failure to comply with export control legislation is a criminal offence and may result in fines, imprisonment, reputational damage and restrictions on future research activities. Researchers are encouraged to seek advice at an early stage to ensure compliance. 

For advice and support, please contact rgp@hud.ac.uk.  

 

How can I learn more about TR?

• Watch this short introduction to Trusted Research (2 mins).
• Find out more about Trusted Research and our process at Huddersfield.
• Complete our Trusted Research (TR) online learning, available via LearnUpon. This includes an introductory module (essential), plus an advanced module that delves deeper into core TR principles. You can self-enrol for both modules.
• Complete the free Higher Education Research Security Association (HERSA) Export Controls elearning (1-hour). Academic staff working in STEM disciplines are strongly encouraged to do this. Please complete this registration form and, once registered, you will receive an email directly from HERSA with instructions on how to access and begin the training.

 

You might also wish to:

• Get familiar with Export controls applying to academic research and the NPSA Trusted Research Guidance for Academia. 
• Review the UKRI Trusted Research and Innovation guidance to help identify and manage potential research security risks. 
• Explore the training resources provided by the NIST Research Security Office, part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. They cover a range of scenarios that researchers may encounter when engaging with international partners. 
• Explore the Canadian Government's Guidelines and Tools to Implement Research Security, providing a comprehensive framework for identifying, assessing, and mitigating research security risks. 
• Request Due Diligence on new partners. For research-related activities, please contact research.services@hud.ac.uk. For business, commercial, or consultancy activities, contact business@hud.ac.uk. 

 

Research Mentoring

Researcher mentoring is part of building a positive, inclusive research culture and brings benefits to both mentors and mentees. A number of different opportunities are available:

 

Pathways to Progression: mentoring for academic promotion

Championing women's academic progress!

This scheme (piloted during 2025-26 and back for 2026-27) is specifically targeted at female academics aspiring for promotion at the University of Huddersfield. It is intended to support the academic promotions process.

How does it work?

• Expressions of interest invited from GR8-9 female academics aspiring for promotion
• Mentor-mentee matching process
• 1-1 mentoring 

The next call for expressions of interest will open at the end of September 2026, with a deadline of 30 October 2026.

 

Mid Career Researcher (MCR) Mentoring

Bridging the gap – supporting mid-career development and challenges!

This cross-institutional Mid-Career Researcher (MCR) mentoring scheme matches 'mid-career' or 'established' researchers with a mentor from another university.

It works through a reciprocal arrangement, meaning that the number of mentee places available to each institution depends on the number of mentors from that university. Alongside inviting mentee applications, we therefore encourage experienced colleagues to apply to be a mentor as this maximises the number of mid-career colleagues who are able to access and benefit from this scheme.

The call for applications for the 2027 scheme (mentees and mentors) will open w/c 19 October 2026, closing on 4 December 2026.

 

Early Career Researcher (ECR) Mentoring

Empowering and supporting colleagues to navigate the research environment and their early research career!

We piloted a mentoring programme for ECRs during the academic year 2023-2024 (14 mentoring pairs), which ran again during 2024-25 with 6 mentoring pairs. Early Career Researchers were matched with an internal mentor from a different School, providing a safe space for reflection, development and considering different perspectives.

We don't currently have an ECR programme open for applications, but if you're an ECR and this is of interest or you would like support finding a mentor then please get in touch.

 

To find out more about any of the above researcher mentoring opportunities, please contact Alison Monkhouse.

 

Coaching and mentoring (all university staff)

All staff researchers can also apply to be matched with a qualified coach or experienced mentor through the university-wide scheme – visit Coaching and Mentoring to find out more.

 

Opportunities available externally

 

British Academy Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network

The British Academy ECR Network is an inclusive, researcher-led network for UK-based early career researchers working in the arts, humanities and social sciences. It was officially launched in Yorkshire & Humber in January 2026). The aim is to provide opportunities to develop skills and offer additional experiences to enhance career development, whether inside or outside of academia.

Some of the benefits of (free) membership of the network include training, networking events, mentoring schemes and other development opportunities, plus access to an online community platform. Travel to attend network events is covered, and travel grants are available to attend other events and conferences. As a network member, you are also eligible to apply for British Academy seed-funding.

Interested? You can find out more, check your eligibility and sign up to join the network on the ECRN page on the The British Academy website.

 

Prosper

The Prosper Portal is a self-service online portal, designed for postdocs and full of resources to support career development. Prosper is completely free to use and you don’t need to register – but if you do (still free!) you can access further functionality.

How might I use it? 

• If you are a postdoc or Early Career Researcher (ECR), you might find the Prosper portal useful for building self-awareness, figuring out what you want from your career, developing skills and action planning. Prosper resources are categorised as Reflect, Explore and Act.
• If you are a manager of researchers or Principal Investigator (PI), you might find the Prosper portal useful for supporting the development of others within your team. You can also join the Prosper PI Network, a community of practice open to PIs and managers of researchers across the UK.

If you need help navigating the Prosper portal or would like to know more about how it could be used, please contact Alison Monkhouse.

 

Established Researchers Hub

The Established Researchers Hub (White Rose University Consortium) brings together curated resources to support established and mid career researchers navigating the evolving responsibilities and expectations that emerge beyond early career stages.

Resources are organised around established researcher personas and informed by researchers’ career experiences.