Narrative CVs

Information and guidance on Narrative CVs for researchers writing their own Narrative CV, and Schools/Colleges looking to offer support locally

What is a Narrative CV? 

A CV format that provides a structured written description of a researcher’s contribution and achievements reflecting a broad range of relevant skills and experience.  

Narrative CVs are relatively new in the academic field. Unlike a traditional academic CV, they allow a candidate to tell the story of HOW they have had an impact on the field and the wider skills and experience that they have gained. This is different to a traditional CV, which focuses on WHAT has been achieved.  

A Narrative CV is a blend of a traditional academic CV and covering letter as you aim to explain the context (“the how”) of your achievements. They typically include four modules, demonstrating your contributions to the wider research and innovation environment beyond the immediate research outputs. The module format can be thought of as a structured personal statement that allows you to showcase your relevant skills and experience within this new framework. 

Where did Narrative CVs originate? 

In 2018 / 19 the Royal Society collaborated with academics, industry professionals and early career researchers as they wanted to see more contributions visible and valued. This led to the development of the Resume for Researchers (R4R) that moved away from narrowly focused performance indicators. This was the first iteration of a Narrative CV.  

In 2021 UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) adopted the Resume for Research and Innovation (R4RI), which is an evolved version of the Royal Societies Resume for Researchers. This version of a Narrative CV is intended to reward a wide range of contributions to research across a wide range of career paths and personal circumstances. 

For further information see the Resume for Research and Innovation guidance from UKRI 

Benefits  

There are a number of benefits to using the Narrative CV including: 

  • The new format is more inclusive and allows for applicants to demonstrate a broader range of contributions to research and innovation 
  • It supports those with “non-traditional career paths” to evidence the skills and experience that they bring  
  • There is a greater focus on the quality of outputs, rather than the quantity (encourages responsible use of publication metrics) 
  • It acknowledges that skill and success as a researcher encompass a broad range of activities, allowing for recognition of “invisible” research activity and wider acceptance of all research findings as valuable. 
  • It can provide a useful space for researchers to reflect on their contributions, which can aid professional development planning 
  • The ultimate hope is to see higher levels of success from a more diverse range of applicants 

Structure

The Resume for Research and Innovation (R4RI), is a flexible template that allows you to highlight relevant skills and experience. The following four modules provide a framework for demonstrating this: 

  • Contributions to the generation of new ideas, tools, methodologies or knowledge (Module 1) 
  • The development of others and maintenance of effective working relationships (Module 2) 
  • Contribution to the wider research and innovation community (Module 3) 
  • Contributions to broader research or innovation users and audiences, and towards wider societal benefit (Module 4) 

The hope is that the introduction of this new style CV will improve inclusivity and diversity within the sector which will benefit all of us.  

The above points have been taken from the UKRI website: Résumé for Research and Innovation (R4RI): guidance 

The UKRI R4RI template is the most commonly used Narrative CV format. All of the modules start with the question “How have you contributed to...”, it is therefore useful to have a summary sentence that answers the question before providing further detailed examples. 

Narrative CVs are usually word limited, which means that you don’t have the space to highlight all your experience but rather focus on quality examples that address the question rather than the quantity of examples given. It is important to be concise yet find the right balance of detail about your achievements and responsibilities developed. 

Guidance 

  • Everything that you write should be backed up with evidence and examples as well as providing the context of how your experience has had an impact (e.g. using the STAR method) 
  • Use active ‘power verbs’ to describe your role and achievements e.g. planned, negotiated, initiated, created etc.  
  • A Narrative CV gives you the opportunity to describe in more detail those roles and skills that seem less focussed on research specifically and provide a more holistic view of all that you contribute to the research environment and culture. 
  • University of Leeds have produced a guide “Sharing your achievements with “CAR” stories” and the University of Oxford have a written guide that provides tips and information on sentence structure (see further resources section) 

Publications and Citations 

  • Many organisations using narrative CVs will not ask for a full list of publications as they have made a commitment not to use journal-based metrics. You can choose to highlight publications but focus on the process and impact of the research. 
  • Avoid listing journal-based metrics such as impact factor, when describing the quality of individual publications. Do refer to publications using a digital object identifier (DOI), hyperlinked to the publication. 

The IAD provides training and support to researchers on Narrative CVs in a variety of formats. This includes a one-hour Briefing Session and Narrative CV writing retreats. 

Narrative CV Briefing Session 

This online session covers how the Narrative CV came to be, the structure and format and what to include in the 4 modules. The session also examines how these CVs can benefit those with non-traditional career backgrounds. The session lasts 45 mins, followed by a 15 min Q&A session. 

Go to IAD careers workshops information

Narrative CV Writing Retreat 

This writing retreat is aimed at staff currently writing narrative CVs for career or research-related applications who wish to make progress on these. The writing retreat will give participants dedicated time to work on their narrative CVs in a supportive environment, with opportunities to discuss and get feedback from peers. Facilitators will provide a brief introduction to narrative CVs, outlining their structures and possible content. There will be opportunities to ask questions of facilitators, to discuss issues with peers, and gain information on further resources and support. Participants will leave the retreat having made progress on their narrative CVs and have the confidence and resources to complete these on their own.   

Go to IAD writing retreat information

Support for Schools / Colleges  

If you are interested in running your own Narrative CV briefing session or writing retreat, the IAD has produced guides to help with this. These guides provide information around how to run the sessions, the things to consider and how to get started.  We have also shared the slides we use in our sessions, for you to use.  


IAD Careers Support  

We don’t expect Schools/Colleges to provide careers support and guidance to your researchers in these sessions but rather see the sessions as a way to provide more information and support around the Narrative CV format and process to researchers in your area.  We ask that you highlight the Careers Support from the IAD’s Research Staff Careers Consultants, particularly the 1:1 consultations, for any researcher on a fixed term contract who would like careers specific advice on the Narrative CV. 

Go to Careers support information

The support and resources being developed for Narrative CVs by funders and institutions demonstrates the development in this area and a focus on supporting researchers with this approach.  The sector is working together to develop information to support researchers in this area and below is a list of links to support you to find out more about the principles, advice for selecting examples to include, and read model answers to help you write your own. 

In this section you will find further resources to help develop and support your understanding of Narrative CVs as well as resources providing guidance for those writing a Narrative CV for the first time.  

Reading

  • University of Glasgow online course writing a Narrative CV Rise Articulate 
  • The Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) are using Narrative CVs, the presentation and mural are particularly helpful in highlighting what goes into a narrative CV Narrative CV - 2023 workshop resources 

Podcasts

Further Action  

  • If you are a University of Edinburgh staff member making Fellowship applications contact the Edinburgh Research Office for further support. 
  • For further advice and review of your narrative CV, University of Edinburgh research staff can book a 1:1 Career Development Consultation with Eleanor or Darcey (Research Staff Careers Consultants). 


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