Developing a narrative CV: guidance for researchers

Developing a narrative CV need not be daunting. These pages will give you what you need to get started and sign-post you to further information.

Researchers are increasingly being asked to write narrative CVs. Narrative CV formats, which UKRI call the Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI), prompt descriptions of contributions and achievements, allowing researchers to reflect a broader range of skills and experiences.

But some researchers, whatever their career stage, can lack confidence in using the new approach. These webpages provide guidance for individuals and teams on developing narrative CVs and should give you all you need to get started. Research facilitators may also find the resources useful. 

Learn more about the who, why and what of narrative CVs

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Many funders, nationally and internationally, are increasingly asking researchers for narrative CVs to support funding applications. Some universities and employers are piloting narrative CVs for job applications or promotions.

Traditional CVs tend to focus on the quantity of researcher contributions, rather than the quality.

They often measure a narrow range of metrics, focusing on grants and publications which do not capture the full range of research activity, or the value researchers may add to peers, research groups or wider society.

Traditional CVs don’t allow researchers to explain how they have overcome barriers, made the most of the opportunities they have been given, or talk about non-research related work or life experience.

Traditional CVs may therefore favour researchers who have had linear or traditional career paths.

The narrative CV allows you to tell your story!

It provides a structured yet flexible format that prompts a description of contributions and achievements that can reflect a broad ​range of skills and experience.

The narrative CV approach aims to reward a broader set of research-related activities;​ values diverse contributions and career paths​​; improves diversity and inclusion​​; and encourages responsible use of metrics.​

 

Narrative CVs usually allow researchers to give information in four areas:

  • Knowledge: Contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies or knowledge
  • Developing others: Contributions to the development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
  • Wider research community: Contributions to the wider research and innovation community 
  • Broader society: Contributions to broader research/innovation users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit.

But do check the requirements of your specific funder or potential employer as their requirements (and narrative CV formats) may differ.

 

Most funders will provide a template. Check to see if this is the case and, if so, use the template provided.

If not, use the four sections - knowledge, developing others, wider research community, broader society - to structure your information. See the Guide for Applicants for details.

NB Narrative CVs are usually less than 1000 words and 4-pages long. Information about personal details, educational profile, and employment history are usually captured in a separate form, if they are required.

 

Key resources

Further support

Additional information

We welcome feedback and additional suggestions and will be updating the pages with more resources over the coming months. Feedback can be submitted here (SSO required) or contact mary.muers@medsci.ox.ac.uk

 

Next steps

Further support

 

Case-studies