Guidance and support received
As a new format for many, the narrative CV needs proper explanation. And while CRUK has made efforts to help (on top of the guidance in our scheme application guidelines and in the application form itself, we provide a summary and FAQs on our website) it’s clear researchers will need training to draft a narrative CV and, though research institutions have begun providing this, it’s evidently not reaching everyone.
A handful of applicants suggested we provide example narrative CVs, but that’s something funders and institutions are generally opposed to doing. And there is actually a good reason for that. Providing example CVs risks setting a standard of what a narrative CV should look like, even of an ‘ideal researcher’, which is in opposition to the aim of facilitating diversity in the research community.
At CRUK the plan is to act upon applicants’ suggestions of providing more examples of activities suitable for inclusion in their CV by expanding upon the list of prompts found in the application form. We also encourage researchers to join the newly-developed Peer Exchange Platform for Narrative-Style CVs (PEP-CV), where they can seek a mentor (or even mentor themselves) on how to structure a compelling narrative CV.
Potential concerns
We also asked users whether they had any concerns about using the narrative CV, as part of our efforts to ensure it actually promotes equality, diversity and inclusion in research. We’re reassured that half of applicants (46%) and reviewers (48%) had no concerns whatsoever, but there were some issues that became apparent.
For reviewers, 9% and 7% feel it is ‘less clear than the traditional CV’ and ‘more time-consuming/wordy’, respectively. To help address this, CRUK are going to ensure reviewers have adequate time and guidance to carry out their assessment.
Applicants’ most common concern (12%) was a potential disadvantage to researchers who are either introverted, identify as neurodivergent, and/or do not speak English as their first language. These comments on writing fluency and confidence are important to note – and to mitigate any potential bias based on language, we will emphasise to our peer reviewers the importance of . A well-written narrative can help clarify a researcher’s journey and skillset, but we will ensure that our reviewers
