ERA Energy Research Accelerator

Online Writing Retreat series for Postdoctoral Researchers and PhD Students (April – July 2026)
2026-05-11 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-06-08 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-07-13 13:30 - 15:30 (Europe/London) | On-line via MS Teams
Join C-DICE and Energy Research Accelerator (ERA)  in a quiet, structured space for postdoctoral researchers and PhD students to focus on your writing. This series of four writing retreats are designed to give you protected time to work on your own projects, benefitting from peer presence to support focus and momentum.

You can register for as many of the sessions as you like.

Monday 13 April, 13.30 – 15.30
Monday 11 May, 13.30 – 15.30
Monday 8 June, 13.30 – 15.30
Monday 13 July, 13.30 – 15.30

You are welcome to work on any form of academic writing, including journal articles, thesis chapters, grant applications, reports, or other research outputs. If you have been meaning to make progress on something but haven’t had the space, this is a chance to step back and write.
Why attend
Many researchers find it difficult to protect time for writing during busy working weeks. This retreat provides:

Dedicated writing time – at least 90 minutes (plus optional break half way through)
A clear structure to support focus, including brief welcome, informal goal setting and brief progress reflection
A shared space with other researchers working quietly alongside you

Who is this for
This session is open to:

PhD students at any stage
Postdoctoral researchers

You do not need to have a finished draft. The retreat is suitable whether you are starting, revising, or trying to move a stalled piece of writing forward.
Access and joining
The event will take place online via MS Teams. Registered participants will receive joining details in advance. You will be expected to bring a writing project to work on.

How to optimise Copilot as a researcher
2026-05-19 10:00 - 12:00 | On-line via Zoom
Join Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) and C-DICE for a two-hour online workshop designed for researchers who already understand the basics of AI and are ready to unlock Copilot’s full potential. Learn how to tailor Copilot to your specific research context – saving time, improving quality, and boosting confidence in your outputs.
Discover

How to use Copilot for optimised analysis, summarising, synthesis and idea development
Practical prompt crafting techniques to generate clearer, more accurate and relevant results
Ways to customise Copilot for academic, applied and evaluation focused research
How to navigate real world ethical, data handling and transparency considerations when working with AI

Receive:

Workshop slides and notes
Customisable prompt templates
Recommended AI Tools list

About the presenter:
Dr Naomi Tyrrell is an ICF Accredited Coach and runs Europe’s largest advice network for alternative-to-academic careers. After 18 years in academia, Naomi now runs an evaluation consultancy and training business. She is passionate about helping people and organisations develop their strengths and navigate periods of growth, offering expertise in areas such as programme monitoring, evaluation, organisational development AI training and executive coaching.
This event is open to doctoral and postdoctoral researchers from ERA partners and final-stage doctoral researchers and postdoctoral researchers from UK universities (non-ERA partners). Booking Link: How to Optimise Copilot as a Researcher – Fill out form , contact n.p.radford@lboro.ac.uk
ERA will contact you by email if they need further information or if they are unable to offer you a place. If your registration is successful, you will receive an Outlook calendar invitation confirming your place at the workshop.

ERA Conference 2026 - Register your interest
2026-06-16 | Vaillant Live, 2 Colyear Street, Derby, DE1 1LA, United Kingdom
Free to attend – Register your interest today!
Get ready for the region’s biggest ever energy event! The Energy Research Accelerator (ERA) Conference 2026 will bring together leading experts, researchers, and innovators to explore the future of energy.
From hydrogen and nuclear, to battery technology, energy storage, bioenergy, AI in energy and much more, this event will showcase the very latest in energy innovation, research, and technology.
Join us as we look ahead to a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable energy future.
Network with industry leaders, discover cutting-edge research, and be part of the conversation shaping the UK’s energy landscape.
Register your interest now to secure your place at this free conference and receive updates as the full programme is announced.

ERA Doctoral Showcase @ ERA UK Energy Innovation Expo'26
2026-06-16 | Vaillant Live, Derby, DE1 1LA, United Kingdom
The ERA Doctoral Showcase provides an opportunity for PhD or EngD researchers from ERA partners to present their research to the wide range of experts, researchers, industry specialists and government representatives attending the ERA Energy Innovation Expo’26 on 16th June 2026 at Vaillant Live, Derby. Around 10 doctoral researchers will be chosen to give lightening presentations (3 minutes, 3 slides consisting of one title slide and 2 content slides), on the main stage of the conference. Our aim is to showcase the brilliant energy and net-zero research taking place across the ERA partnership.
Presenters will receive coaching and support for their presentation through a workshop, 1:1 mentoring and live rehearsal time provided by the ERA Skills team.
To express your interest in presenting at the ERA Energy Innovation Expo ’26 Doctoral Showcase, you are invited to fill in the following simple on-line form: ERA Energy Innovation Expo’26 – Doctoral Showcase – Fill out form .
Expressions of Interest must be submitted by: 12 noon, Monday 23rd March 2026.
Eligible applicants will then be contacted and asked to provide their presentations slides. Final choices for presenters will be based on the submitted slides.
Further information on East Midlands Tech Week, of which the ERA Energy Innovation Expo’26 forms part, can be found at: East Mids Tech Week | Explore, Connect, Innovate Today
The call for expressions of interest is open, and I really hope that you will consider taking up the opportunity to showcase your research to this conference. Conference attendance is free and there may be some financial support available to presenters where the cost of travel or caring responsibilities e.g. childcare are a barrier to attendance (subject to separate application).
