Postgraduate researcher development programme

The University's Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme is a comprehensive suite of workshops, seminars and resources designed to equip postgraduate researchers with the skills, knowledge and support they need to successfully complete their doctoral journey.

The programme combines practical guidance on completing a doctorate with methodological training and professional development opportunities, addressing all facets of doctoral study. It is delivered fully online or hybrid on a weekly basis from October to May. Sessions are recorded and available in the archive. On-demand sessions also include subscriptions to platforms such as SAGE campus and LinkedIn Learning.

The programme is articulated into a Kickstarter Series for new researchers and a Researcher Enhancement Series for more advanced researchers (typically in their second or third year of study). Specialist sessions or masterclasses are also offered throughout the year. The programme is complemented by subject-specific faculty or departmental initiatives, as well as researcher seminars run by Research Centres and Groups. The Programme takes place on a weekly basis from October to June, bar holidays and term breaks.

Researcher development programme

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Kickstarter series (First year)

Mandatory

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Researcher enhancement series

Expected

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Specialist University/ Faculty sessions

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On-demand and video library

SAGE campus, LinkedIn Learning

The Programme is broadly inspired by the Vitae Development Framework (subscription to Vitae is available to postgraduate researchers on demand) and is composed by six themes, plus one titled “Essentials”. They are: “Approaches to Research and Methodologies”, “Writing and Publication”, “Knowledge in Action and Public Engagement”, “Careers and Futures”, “Subject and Sector Knowledge” and “The Digital Researcher”.

Development programme sessions

Kickstarting Series Researcher Enhancement Series
Research questions and refining your topic Issues in Research Design: achieving coherence
Care and wellbeing as a researcher Fine-Tuning the Literature Review
Research Integrity Ethics, Equity and Research integrity in practice
Mapping your field/literature How to use theory in your research
Reflexivity and positionality: Situating yourself in the research Writing and Editing a Doctoral Thesis: some strategies and practices
The ethical researcher and data protection Preparing for conferences (3 parts)
Approaches to research: the purpose of methodologies and methods Apply AI to your research
Mock panel presentations Mock viva
  Employability for Postgraduate Researchers
  Bringing your Abstract to the Gym
  Creating a poster presentation
  Overview of Scientific Publications
  Building Bridges: leveraging and expanding your research networks
  Finding digital balance: navigating the hyperconnected research world
  Research integrity
  Pitch your thesis in three minutes

The Programme is accompanied by PGR conferences in specific fields or department throughout the year as well as University-wide Postgraduate Research Summer Conference in the Summer. Doctoral cafes and social events are also a key part of the Postgraduate Research community.

Full information and current schedule can be found on MDXRooms.

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