Researcher Development Programme (RDP) course timetable
Wednesday 10 June 2020
| 10:00 |
Resilience In The Lab (STEMM)
CANCELLED
Let’s face it; being a researcher can be stressful! Not only are you managing the ups and downs of life in the lab, but you are probably balancing work and life and also have one eye on the future and what comes after your PhD… This workshop is designed to help you build emotional resilience. You probably already have some strategies in place so we will reflect on the highs and lows you have already experienced, look at some of the theories of resilience and consider how we can better support your coping and wellbeing.
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To truly engage with literature at doctoral level it is crucial to develop a ‘critical’ approach that enables a strict and thus manageable selection of literature, and the development of interpretative themes by which to categorise and narrate the literature. Both aspects of critical reading and thinking often form the foundation of the thesis, given it both context and justification. Indeed, how a student approaches the literature is itself an integral part of establishing and evolving a unique contribution to knowledge. This course seeks to help students develop their critical reading skills, and to deploy tactics and strategies that can accelerate the process of literature-based research without sacrificing detail and depth necessary for a doctoral thesis. |
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We’ll be looking at the what, why and how of public engagement and introducing researchers to some of the ways to plan an effective public engagement project. Topics: • The what: definitions of public engagement, who are the public, what activities count as engagement, what are the goals? • The why: University commitment to PE, REF, Funders • The how: the Logic Model approach to planning PE, practical considerations, moving engagement online and opportunities at the University. Course structure: Monday 10am-11am: Introduction to PE Wednesday 10am-11am: Evaluation and online PE tips and hints and opportunities at the University Friday 10am-noon: Do you have any questions? 1:1 advice sessions (optional) |
Thursday 11 June 2020
| 09:30 |
Do you know how to write a successful research grant application? This course is designed for postdocs with little or no experience of getting their research funded. It will explore the current research environment and impact agenda and help you understand how research is funded. You will also experience the process of reviewing applications and gain valuable and timely knowledge about how to get research funded.
“Both the online resources presented, and the focused training sessions were well structured and passed through the importance of well-structured proposal, and often overlooked issues such as impact.” “[I liked] seeing a grant from another discipline, to realise that a well-written grant (even if not perfect) can be understood also by people external to the field.” |
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The RD team are offering one-to-one meetings online over the coming weeks for all postdocs. These meetings will be tailored to your individual needs and provide an opportunity to consider and discuss topics relating to learning, skills and personal development. This is not an exhaustive list but topics may include a variety of issues including:
Further joining details will be contained in your booking confirmation email, please ensure you read these and carry out the pre-requisite instructions prior to your appointment. If you do not have a Raven account to make this booking, please contact the Researcher Development Team directly to make a booking. |
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| 09:45 |
Dr Sonja Tomaskovic continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across all STEMM disciplines. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 10:15 |
The RD team are offering one-to-one meetings online over the coming weeks for all postdocs. These meetings will be tailored to your individual needs and provide an opportunity to consider and discuss topics relating to learning, skills and personal development. This is not an exhaustive list but topics may include a variety of issues including:
Further joining details will be contained in your booking confirmation email, please ensure you read these and carry out the pre-requisite instructions prior to your appointment. If you do not have a Raven account to make this booking, please contact the Researcher Development Team directly to make a booking. |
| 10:30 |
Dr Sonja Tomaskovic continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across all STEMM disciplines. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 13:00 |
Dr Christian Gilliam continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 13:30 |
Dr Sonja Tomaskovic continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across all STEMM disciplines. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 13:45 |
Dr Christian Gilliam continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 14:00 |
Why this course might make a difference Whether you are feeling confused about the first year report – or just want to become a more effective writer – the overall purpose of this course is to help you improve the writing both of your first year report and of your research in general. Previous Participant Feedback: “It helped me benchmark my progress against others, understand my specific challenges and get motivated to just write now, perfect later.” “It really got me started on writing and gave me a better sense of where I was and where I was heading with my first year report and PhD overall.” “To hear what are the expectations for the first year report, and what it should be included there.” |
| 14:15 |
Dr Sonja Tomaskovic continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across all STEMM disciplines. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 14:30 |
Dr Christian Gilliam continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 15:15 |
Dr Christian Gilliam continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
Friday 12 June 2020
| 10:00 |
We’ll be looking at the what, why and how of public engagement and introducing researchers to some of the ways to plan an effective public engagement project. Topics: • The what: definitions of public engagement, who are the public, what activities count as engagement, what are the goals? • The why: University commitment to PE, REF, Funders • The how: the Logic Model approach to planning PE, practical considerations, moving engagement online and opportunities at the University. Course structure: Monday 10am-11am: Introduction to PE Wednesday 10am-11am: Evaluation and online PE tips and hints and opportunities at the University Friday 10am-noon: Do you have any questions? 1:1 advice sessions (optional) |
Monday 15 June 2020
| 10:00 |
Success as a researcher is as much about managing your process and resources as it is about intellectual brilliance. What’s more, there is no ‘correct’ way to operate – everyone has to find approaches that work for him or her and fit with their own circumstances. So, what does it mean to be efficient and effective, and how can we fit these simple tools and strategies to aid our effectiveness in the context being a researcher? This one-day immersive workshop will help you to build personal effectiveness tool-kit.
Self – Manage your personal development and growth Within these themes, the exact nature of the session on the day will be tailored to the needs and questions of participants and there will be a small amount of preparatory work to aid your reflection prior to the session.
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Tuesday 16 June 2020
| 13:30 |
Dr Sam Byers continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across all STEMM disciplines. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 13:45 |
Dr Christian Gilliam continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 14:00 |
Poster presentations are a well-established format for presenting research findings within STEM subjects. The past few years has witnessed a growth in poster presentations across a number of AHSS conferences. Given the infancy of this phenomena, it stands that a number of researchers within AHSS remain unsure on the question of content design and delivery. During the session, therefore, we will explore what makes a successful poster presentation in AHSS and examine how key components of a poster can be designed to make the poster more effective to your target audience. This is a beginner’s course covering the basics of poster presentations. |
| 14:15 |
Dr Sam Byers continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across all STEMM disciplines. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 14:30 |
Dr Christian Gilliam continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
| 15:15 |
Dr Christian Gilliam continues to offer one-to-one support to PhD students across the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. However, given the present circumstances relating to Covid-19, one-to-one support will be provided virtually or online using either Skype, Teams or Zoom. Please bear in mind that topics for discussion should relate to researcher or personal development, and/or advice relating to the management of your PhD project. Upon booking, you will receive a booking confirmation email. Please refer to the joining instructions in the email for further information regarding your one-to-one session. |
Wednesday 17 June 2020
| 09:00 |
The Art of Negotiation and Influence
POSTPONED
When opportunities come along, do you feel confident about working with people to get what you need? This course gives you a practical insight into the application of professional communication to everyday life, learning how to persuade and influence others effectively. Improving your listening and communication skills is advantageous for both your personal and your professional life. This workshop is led by Richard Mullender, an external trainer who formerly worked for the Metropolitan Police as a hostage negotiator, and then as Lead Trainer at the National Crisis & Hostage Negotiation Unit in Scotland Yard. By looking at everyday scenarios as well as life-or-death negotiations from his professional experience – e.g. with terrorists for the release of hostages or with someone threatening to commit suicide – Richard demonstrates how to listen for ‘levers’ that help you to persuade and influence, and to secure the best possible outcome.
Outcomes:
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| 10:00 |
Postdocs: Leading Others
CANCELLED
Are you ready to lead others confidently in whatever leadership position you may find yourself in? This workshop draws on insight gained from Postdocs: An Initial Guide to Leadership and Postdocs: Self-Leadership and considers how to apply different skills, strengths, and styles of leadership as well as the strategies of self-leadership to enable you to thoughtfully and self-assuredly lead others. This workshop will help you cultivate a more profound and extensive portfolio of leadership capabilities and a deeper understanding of how to motivate people and to get the best out of them. It is possible to attend this as an individual workshop, although we would recommend that you try to attend the series starting with Postdocs: An Initial Guide to Leadership and Postdocs: Self-Leadership.
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The last hurdle, your viva examination, but what will it be like? What will the examiners ask? How can you prepare for it? This workshop provides participants with an insight into the process, and helps them understand what to expect within a doctoral degree viva, including a discussion on the type and nature of questions most-likely to be posed by examiners. This course is not suitable for students in their first year, and we strongly advise against students in their second year from attending. |