Introducing the Early Career Forum: Strengthening Networks, Building Resilience
Picture this: you’ve just stepped into the world of anti-poverty and social justice work. You care deeply about change, and you’re eager to make a difference—but the reality you encounter is often harsh. Jobs can be short-term and low-paid, the emotional weight of witnessing injustice can feel overwhelming, and mentorship and support are scarce.
Many of us are navigating these challenges, and perhaps, if you’re reading this, you are too. This is why the Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN) is launching the Early Career Forum—a space for people at the start of their social justice careers to connect, share knowledge, and support one another. In this blog, I want to outline why this forum is needed and introduce what it will offer.
The Significance of Early Career Workers in Social Justice
Early career workers in poverty and social justice fields are engaged in some of the most significant and challenging areas of practice. Take, for example, an activist campaigning against unfair housing policies, a researcher documenting structural causes of food insecurity, or a charity worker coordinating an anti-poverty network. Whether designing community interventions, gathering evidence to inform more equitable policy, or supporting people through crises, their work has life-changing and lasting impacts. Much of this work happens quietly, often without recognition or celebration.
These roles, however, are carried out amid systemic challenges. Job precarity, short-term contracts, limited mentorship, and unstable funding are common features of early career life. In justice-oriented fields, the additional emotional burden of witnessing trauma can lead to exhaustion, disillusionment, and isolation, creating what has been described as a “resilience deficit” among early career workers. Meanwhile, the support available is often patchy—dependent on the organisation you happen to work for—or entirely absent. Across sectors, disciplines, and roles, there are few spaces to connect, share experiences, and reflect on the conditions in which this work is carried out.
The Invisibility of Early Career Workers in Social Justice
Unlike in academia, the challenges faced by early career workers in the public sector, civil society, and activism are frequently overlooked. Research on postgraduate students highlights long working hours, pay below minimum wage, and high levels of anxiety and isolation—with one-third seeking help for anxiety or depression, and two-thirds reporting that a career in research can be lonely. By contrast, there is far less understanding of the experiences of early career workers outside academia—their voices remain largely invisible.
These workers also miss out on the “lifeline” that professional associations provide their academic counterparts. For example, the British Sociological Association holds events specifically for postgraduate and early career researchers, while the British Academy supports ECRs through networking, professional development, and funding schemes. In contrast, nothing equivalent exists for early career workers, who often “remain isolated, working alone,” siloed across academia, the public sector, civil society, and activism.
Perhaps most importantly, there is a striking deficit of specific support for those working in anti-poverty and social justice fields. My own PhD research highlighted this: despite access to academic associations, there were few structured opportunities to discuss poverty-related questions or engage with peers who understood the practical and emotional challenges involved, and even fewer chances to connect with people working across different sectors.
Introducing the Early Career Forum
So, how can we create stronger networks and meaningful support for those working at the forefront of poverty and social justice? This is where PRAN’s Early Career Forum comes in. It is a cross-sector space for early career workers in academia, the public sector, civil society, and activism to collaborate, access peer support, and build visibility for their work. Participation is open to anyone identifying as being at an early stage in their research or practice career, with no restrictions on sector or discipline.
Early career workers in poverty and social justice already make a tangible difference in the lives of people and communities. With the right support, connections, and resources, that impact can be even greater—and the Early Career Forum is designed to provide exactly that.
Join the Movement, Join the Forum
We have lots of exciting plans for the Early Career Forum.
We are introducing a monthly peer support group—a safe space to share concerns, ask for advice, and offer support. It will also be a place to build momentum, exchange insights, develop ideas, and drive change. The first session will be held on the 17 November at 12:30—13:30 via Zoom, and anyone interested is welcome to join.
We also want the Forum to truly be a collective and collaborative space. Its shape and focus will be guided by your needs, experiences, and interests. We have a short form where you can tell us about your early career journey—past or present—and what you would like the Forum to offer. Have resources, ideas, or insights to share? Click here.
Finally, we will be running an Early Career Symposium in Oxford on May 6th – so make sure to save the date. This event will bring together early career researchers, practitioners, and activists from across academia, public services, civil society, and grassroots organisations to connect, share expertise, and reflect on the conditions in which they work. More information is coming soon. Join our LinkedIn Group to stay updated.
If you have any questions or want to get involved, please get in touch: freya.colenorton@law.ox.ac.uk
In Solidarity, Freya
