The Early Career Research Academy (ECRA) is part of the Leibniz Science Campus for Digital Public Health. We are a self-governed network of early career researchers that promote interdisciplinary collaboration, knowledge exchange, and networking. By connecting diverse scientific disciplines, the ECRA enables collaborative formats and peer support among its members. 

During our first funding phase (2019–2023), the ECRA became an integral part of the LSC DiPH, contributing to the campus program through talks, workshops, and collaborative exchange formats.

Since the start of the second funding phase in September 2023, the ECRA has restructured its organization, welcomed new members to grow from a small founding group to 28 core and associated members, including many international researchers. We also built an alumni network of 44 members with whom we stay in close scientific and personal exchange.

Based on members’ needs, thematic working groups were formed to strengthen skills, foster interdisciplinary exchange, and support collaboration. Today, the ECRA includes 10 working groups, and covers research topics ranging from cancer prevention to planning, implementing and evaluating different digital health interventions for smoking cessation, nutrition, movement, and safe social media use.

Connecting a variety of scientific disciplines through its active members, the ECRA achieves these collaborative exchange formats and peer support through:

1.    Career and skill training
The ECRA empowers early career researchers by developing their careers in- and outside academia. Members have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through self-organised events, such as workshops and guest talks. Furthermore, members can attend activities organised by other ECRA members to develop skills needed for their current research projects and future careers.

2.    Science communication
The ECRA offers a forum for networking and knowledge transfer that will build bridges between peers and stakeholders from in- and outside Digital Public Health.

3.    Financial support
The ECRA enables career opportunities by offering its members funding for relevant research stays, professional and research-oriented internships, participation in conferences, as well as training programs. This goes for all active members, regardless of their position within the Leibniz ScienceCampus Digital Public Health.