Prosper Initiative Expands to Nearly 70 UK Institutions, Accelerating Postdoc Support

University of Liverpool Hosts Prosper's First Annual Practice Exchange Event

On 6th February 2025, the Prosper team, part of the Academy at the University of Liverpool, hosted the inaugural Practice Exchange event at the Kimpton Clock Tower in Manchester. This event marked a pivotal moment in the UKRI-funded phase of the Prosper project, which seeks to accelerate the implementation of its innovative career development model. This model aims to support the growth and potential of postdoctoral researchers across the UK.

Initially funded by Research England during its pilot phase, Prosper is designed to unlock the potential of postdoctoral researchers, enabling them to excel in diverse career paths, both within and beyond academia. Led by the University of Liverpool and partnered with the University of Manchester and Lancaster University, the Prosper model was co-created with input from postdocs, employers, Principal Investigators (PIs), and the wider academic sector. Following the success of the pilot, funding was secured to expand Prosper’s reach, benefiting the UK researcher development community. UKRI funding will conclude in Autumn 2026. In its second year, the rollout is progressing well, with nearly 70 UK institutions adopting Prosper in various ways. Some promote it as a self-directed tool for postdocs’ career development, while others offer cohort-based programs with facilitated sessions and career coaching.

The Practice Exchange provided a platform to showcase how Prosper is being used by higher education institutions, share best practices, and facilitate networking. Attendees included research development staff from 39 institutions and senior representatives from sector bodies like N8 Research Partnership, NCUB, UKRI, the British Academy, and Vitae. The agenda allowed institutions using Prosper to share insights on its implementation and impact on postdoc career development. Institutions like the University of Manchester, Durham University, and the

University of Southampton presented their experiences. Key themes included the importance of academia-industry collaboration to promote career porosity, discussed in a fireside chat on external partnerships. A key topic was sector-wide collaboration, with an emphasis on Prosper as a free resource amidst growing challenges. Andrew Moss, Research Culture Manager at Durham University, highlighted Prosper's role in enabling collaboration and empowering postdocs. The need for guidance on supporting postdoctoral career development was also discussed, with Prosper’s resources for managers and the PI Network Series being recognized for their value.

The Practice Exchange highlighted Prosper's progress in creating a thriving community of practice. Alex Lewis, Director of Research at the British Academy, praised the "warm and engaging" atmosphere, noting the positivity around career development. Next year’s event will focus on advancing Prosper’s framework for sustaining impact, with a focus on the Reciprocation Framework, introduced by Fiona McBride. The Reciprocation Framework seeks to formalize mutual exchange between institutions and Prosper. An example is Prosper supporting the University of Southampton’s cohort, and in return, the university developed resources for the Portal and hosted a PI Network session for researchers' managers. The Practice Exchange event underscored Prosper's significant progress and its role in fostering a collaborative and thriving postdoctoral community.

Editor's Note:

The inaugural Practice Exchange event, hosted by the Prosper team at the University of Liverpool, marks an important step in supporting the career development of postdoctoral researchers across the UK. The Prosper project, now funded by UKRI, has already made significant progress in helping postdocs advance their careers through stronger links between academia and industry. The event highlighted how nearly 70 UK institutions have successfully implemented the Prosper model, showing its potential to transform postdoctoral career paths.
As the Prosper project continues to grow, it is encouraging to see institutions committed to supporting postdoctoral researchers. The Practice Exchange event not only allowed for the sharing of best practices but also emphasized the importance of collaboration in tackling challenges faced by the academic community.

Skoobuzz thinks that the upcoming focus on sustaining Prosper’s impact, especially through initiatives like the Reciprocation Framework, further strengthens the project’s goal of creating a supportive and thriving environment for postdoctoral researchers.