Narrative CVs

As discussed in the previous post, for each narrative CV, you need to identify your audience and gather relevant examples. Now it’s time to start writing. OCAR (Opening, Challenge, Action, Resolution) provides a framework for turning your achievements into compelling narratives that show how and why, not just what. In this post, we’ll explore a step-by-step method and some examples for the four modules. Writing your narrative Step 1: Choose your achievement Pick something relevant to this specific application. Make sure it demonstrates the right competencies for this module. Step 2: Identify your OCAR elements Use the questions from the OCAR guide as prompts. Make rough notes for each element. Check: Does your Resolution link back to your Opening? Step 3: Draft your narrative Write it out in full sentences. Focus on clarity first, elegance later. Include specific details (numbers, names, outcomes) - a narrative CV is a story, backed up with facts. Step 4: Refine for concision Every word must earn its place. Remove any redundancy (e.g. use “regularly”, rather than “on a regular basis”). Check word count against funder requirements. Narrative Examples Here are fictitious examples from the four modules. You’ll see the bullet point summary from a traditional CV, followed by a narrative equivalent showing the OCAR structure. ...

The Narrative CV format means thinking about your research in a new way. Rather than creating an exhaustive list of all your achievements, you tell a story that explains why the funding body should give you money. In this post, we’ll consider the audience for your story and also what you might tell them. Thinking about your audience With storytelling, you should think about your audience. In this case, it’s the members of the funding panel. What do they want to know about you when they’re reading your application? Well, they’re almost certainly looking for: ...

Many UK funders are adopting a new approach to academic CVs. In the business world, CVs typically occupy just a few pages, but academic CVs can stretch to more than a hundred pages, especially if you’re a prolific researcher. These monster documents are boring to write and also difficult for the recipient to digest. Also, traditional CVs focus on publications, awards, and successful grants. These are your most visible activities, but might represent only a small proportion of your effort. Under the surface, you’re spending a lot of your time on peer review, committees, building collaborations, public engagement, and mentorship. This vital work doesn’t always count. ...