At Kyoto University, we honor our tradition of academic freedom while valuing each researcher’s unique individuality as we design support systems for early-career researchers (ECRs). As ECR career paths become increasingly diverse, we focus on creating an environment that enables long-term development and sustainability. Our program aims to maximize initiative and unlock researchers’ full potential.
For researchers to contribute meaningfully to future society and remain actively engaged, they must understand and approach research activities from diverse perspectives, ranging from local industries to the international community. In L-INSIGHT, we call these competencies “Global Insight” (see page 11) and have developed a unique framework to support L-INSIGHT’s development. Using this framework, each Fellow sets personal goals and determines how to achieve them, participating in programs designed to enhance essential competencies such as perspectives, knowledge, and action.
There are three L-INSIGHT programs: Core Programs, Practical Programs, and Core to Practice Programs (CToP). These three program types are specifically designed to help Fellows form their own “core circles”.
- Core Programs help Fellows deepen their understanding of Global Insight and develop skills to apply it in practice.
- Core to Practice Programs (CToP) help Fellows connect their Core Program experiences to their research activities.
- Practical Programs provide opportunities for Fellows to cultivate and readily apply their Global Insight.
Each Fellow works with a Professor Emerit Mentor who helps them integrate L-INSIGHT experiences into their research activities through discussions focused on long-term objectives. A Program Advising Mentor provides guidance in selecting and participating in programs. Additionally, L-INSIGHT provides Fellows with annual funding to disseminate their research outputs.
Our programs primarily aim to help Fellows form core circles and support their research activities. We also offer programs, mainly within Core Programs, that non-Fellow researchers and postgraduate students can participate in. We strive to improve our programs to benefit not only our Fellows and researchers at partner institutions but also the broader research community.
The effectiveness of each program is measured by the Fellows through the “Global Insight Individual Logic Plan (GIILP),” which they develop as a personal assessment tool to reflect on how each program has impacted their target competencies. Fellows engage in self-analysis with support from their assigned Professor Emerit Mentor and Program Advising Mentor.
We also track Fellows’ research outputs through regular surveys and incorporate feedback from experts in Japan and overseas to develop, test, and improve our program offerings. To achieve these goals, we build collaborative relationships not only within Kyoto University but also with research institutions, educational organizations, and companies both in Japan and abroad. This provides our Fellows with opportunities that reflect diverse perspectives. We are committed to continuously improving our programs so they can benefit researchers in Japan and overseas.