We are now inviting proposals for next academic year’s ‘New Connections Programme’, a series of research talks at universities across the UK. 

The ‘New Connections Programme’ is a BAFTSS scheme supporting early career researchers and academics on fixed-term contracts, encouraging them to broker a fresh relationship with an academic institution. For the 2024 round of funding, BAFTSS will provide five bursaries of £150 each to enable them to present their research to a new audience. The bursary can be used to cover travel costs and/or academic book purchases. 

To benefit from the scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• hold an active BAFTSS membership 
• be an ECR within 8 years of the PhD being awarded or not be in permanent salaried academic work. These durations should exclude any period of career break, for example for family care, health reasons or reasons consequent upon the COVID-19 pandemic (such as home schooling or time on furlough). 
• not have any prior institutional connection with the chosen host university (such as teaching experience, undergraduate or postgraduate study). This is because we want the Programme to introduce ECRs to new audiences, to help them to network and enhance their CV. 

Applicants are invited to send: 

• the title of the research talk and an abstract of up to 100 words 
• a short bio, including name and affiliation (if any) 
• the name of the host institution* and department / research centre / cluster / group (and if relevant, the title of the university’s programme of research papers) 
• a provisionally agreed date (between January 2024 and December 2024), time and location of the talk (in-person, online or hybrid) 
• the name of the academic who could act as chair/respondent. We strongly encourage applicants to liaise with the latter in advance of the submission 
• your confirmation that this is a ‘new connection’ and that you have no research, teaching or studying history at the host institution 

The talk should primarily showcase the ECR’s own research. Should an online research talk be taking place, in line with the practice of the host institution and/or the circumstances of the participant, the recording of the talk will then be made available on the BAFTSS website. 

The application deadline is Friday 15 December 2023. 

Please send your application, or any queries you may have, to Eve Benhamou ([email protected]; FTC representative). 

*For support regarding the choice of host institution and/or respondent, you can contact the BAFTSS SIG convenors (https://www.baftss.org/sigs.html), BAFTSS mentors (via the BAFTSS Early Career Mentoring Scheme, https://www.baftss.org/early-career-mentoring-scheme.html), and/or the BAFTSS Representative for academics on fixed-term contracts and independent researchers (Eve Benhamou). 

We particularly encourage the participation from applicants across and beyond the UK, and whose research explores issues related to diversity and inclusivity across the disciplines represented by BAFTSS (film, television and screen studies). 

BAFTSS Inclusivity Statement
BAFTSS is committed to supporting its members regardless of age, race, nationality, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sex, sexuality, ability, body, or ethnic origin. We aim to build a culture in which fairness and inclusion are a fundamental part of everything that we do, and in which diversity is valued and celebrated. This statement reflects our approach to ensuring that our shared community is free from all forms of prejudice, discrimination, harassment, and bullying. We are diverse and inclusive, promoting a strong collegial community through openness, listening and co-operation. 

In support of these values, BAFTSS takes a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of behaviour that violate the dignity of others. Zero-tolerance means that the Association will never tolerate, condone or ignore bullying, harassment or hate crime of any kind. We recognise that these behaviours can take many forms. They may be carried out face-to-face or through electronic media (cyber bullying); they may be subtle or overt abuses of power. All members of our Association have a collective responsibility to encourage a culture of dignity and respect; to treat others fairly, with courtesy and consideration; and to challenge inappropriate behaviour when it is safe to do so. Academics have a particular responsibility to lead by example, identifying inappropriate cultures and behaviours when these occur and taking prompt action to stop or prevent them. 

We will treat any allegation of harassment (racial or sexual), hate crime, bullying or victimisation seriously, regardless of the seniority of those involved. BAFTSS has developed a set of Guidelines to ensure that we deal with grievances according to principles that are rigorous, fair, structured, sensitive, transparent, neutral and timely.