The Institute for Academic Development (IAD) has updated its web pages with information and guidance on Narrative CVs.
This includes information, support and resources for researchers writing their own Narrative CV, guidance for Schools/Colleges and societies looking to offer support locally, alongside information in this area from across the sector.
What are Narrative CVs?
Narrative CVs are relatively new in the academic field. Unlike a traditional academic CV, they allow a candidate to focus on telling a story about their skills, achievements and experiences. They provide an opportunity to focus on the storytelling of the outcomes, impacts and achievements, whilst offering context to career path and decisions.
Support for Academic Researchers
It’s natural that researchers could find this new approach to writing a CV challenging, so seeking support can be beneficial. The new IAD web pages aim to do this through providing information, guidance and training options. The web pages include:
- Further information on the Narrative CV and its benefits
- Information and guidance on how they are structured and what to consider whilst writing one
- The training and support available from the IAD around the Narrative CV, including a 1 hour briefing session and half day writing retreat [further info on that below*].
- Reading and resources.
Support for Schools/Colleges/Research Staff and Postdoc Societies
The new web pages also provide trainer-the-trainer guides around running Narrative CV briefing sessions and writing retreats locally, for any School/College or research staff/postdoc society to use. These guides are accompanied by PowerPoint slides for the session, providing the information and support to deliver the session.
Please do review these resources and consider running sessions to support researchers and academics in your area develop their Narrative CVs.
*Upcoming Narrative CV sessions, on offer from IAD:
Narrative CV Briefing Session: 24th February 2026, 12:00 – 13:00, Online
Narrative CV Writing Retreat: 25th March 2026, 09:30 – 12:30, On Campus
The Narrative CV Framework has been developed by the IAD, as part of our work on the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers at the University of Edinburgh, and is an action in our 2025-2028 Action Plan
(Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay)
