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Action Research in Research Culture: Testing the effect of Narrative CVs on scientific recruitment

Abstract

Using live recruitments at the University of Cambridge, this project investigates the effect of CV format on shortlisting decisions for Postdoc recruitment, and ithe causes of any differences. Applicants will be asked to submit a Narrative CV (in the Résumé for Research and Innovation format) alongside their standard academic CV. Two application packages (ie CV + covering letter + additional materials) will be produced for each candidate - one with the Narrative CV, one with the Standard CV. These packages will be independently ranked to test if the format of the CV affects the order of the ranking. The whole panel will then be given both application packages; repeat the shortlisting; and then follow the usual processes for interviewing and offering an appointment. To add depth to our observations, we will interview a sample of applicants and recruiting researchers to explore their experiences of preparing and reviewing the different CV formats.

Aim

To determine if Narrative CVs affect shortlisting decisions in the recruitment of Postdocs and if these changes are likely to affect recruitment; to both characterise these differences and explore why they occur.

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