What is a narrative CV / R4RI?
The Resume for Research and Innovation (R4RI) is a narrative CV designed to help you evidence a wider range of skills and experience. It provides a new format that prompts written descriptions of contributions and achievement which moves beyond traditional metrics-based CVs which are primarily lists of publications, employment and education history with little context.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are introducing this approach as an inclusive, single format for CVs across UKRI. It is part of a wider UKRI ambition to create a more inclusive and supportive research and innovation culture.
Further information and guidance can be found on the UKRI Introducing R4RI pages.
The four modules of the R4RI/narrative CV template prompt you to detail how you have contributed to the:
1. Generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies or knowledge.
e.g., skills acquired from past research projects, key outputs such as data sets, software, and research and policy publications.
2. Development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships
e.g., management, supervision, or mentoring critical to the success of a team or its members, or strategic leadership in shaping the direction of a team, organisation, company or institution.
3. Wider research and innovation community
e.g., across disciplines, institutions, and / or countries, commitments such as editing, reviewing and committee work, positions of responsibility, aiding improvement of research integrity or culture, or strategic leadership in influencing a research agenda.
4. Broader research/innovation-users and audiences and towards wider societal benefit
e.g., engagement across the public and / or public sectors or with the wider public, research which has contributed to policy development or public understanding, other impacts across research, policy, practice and business, and other research users.
Download the UKRI R4RI template
Read the UKRI R4RI guidance
Our approach
At Sheffield Hallam, we piloted the use of R4RIs in the 2023 calls for the Sheffield Hallam Research & Innovation Fund (SHRIF) and the Early Career Research & Innovation Fellowships.
The experience of creating Narrative CVs and the usefulness of the support sessions and resources available are currently being evaluated as part of the SHRIF scheme evaluation. Findings from the evaluation will inform next steps.
System support (Elements)
A module on the University’s Elements system can be used to develop and store evidence for Narrative CVs. Guidance and a recorded training session are available to support this. A Word template showing the open text questions was also created.
General guidance
· Narrative CVs – the background and Narrative CVs – tips for getting started videos and Writing a Narrative CV workbook (Elizabeth Adams Scafell coaching for the University of Dundee).
· Creating your Resume for Researchers or Narrative CV (Sway – University of Leeds).
· Narrative CVs in research – showcasing the value of every contribution and Harnessing the Power of Collaboration: Writing Persuasive Team-Based Narrative CVs Research Culture Podcast (University of Leeds).
· The Resume Resources Library (RRL) hosts a range of materials designed to support people and organisations in the adoption and use of narrative CVs.
· The University of Glasgow has created a short (25 min) online course to support researchers making a narrative CV format application.
· University of Glasgow Workshop to share findings from narrative CV project (UofG Lab for Academic Culture, Tanita Casci and Elizabeth Adams) UoG workshop recording August 2021
· UUK Event recording: Introduction to the narrative CV: What are the benefits?
· Resume for Researcher (R4R)-like Narrative CV: Additional Resources
· Research Professional What’s your story article published 17 May 2023.
· Peer Exchange Platform for Narrative-style CVs (PEP-CV) – a platform for the R&I sector to engage in peer mentoring exchanges to discuss how to best present a diverse range of experiences, achievements, and career paths in all types of narrative-style CVs.