The UEL Researcher Development Programme is a suite of skills development workshops and online resources designed to meet the needs of three sections of the UEL research community: postgraduate research students, early-career researchers and more experienced research staff.
The UEL Researcher Development Programme is managed by Dr Caroline Dunmore, Research Skills Development Adviser in the Graduate School. If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the RDP, please contact Caroline on c.dunmore@uel.ac.uk.
The provision is based on the framework for transferable skills development that is used throughout the higher education sector for the professional development of researchers.
It covers the following areas:
(A) Research skills and techniques
(B) Research environment
(C) Research management
(D) Personal effectiveness
(E) Communication skills
(F) Networking and teamworking
(G) Career management
For more information about this framework, see the Joint Skills Statement.
The workshop timetable for spring and summer 2010 is given below. Please scroll down or follow the links to read synopses of the workshops. To book a place on a workshop, please e-mail Dr Caroline Dunmore, Research Skills Development Adviser in the Graduate School, on c.dunmore@uel.ac.uk. When booking, please be sure to state your School and job title / PGR programme as well the workshop you would like to book.
Wed 10 Feb 10 to 4.30 |
Winning Research Funding Prof John Wakeford |
Docklands |
Tue 16 Feb 1.30 to 4.30 |
Best Practice in PGR Examination (PGR-E2) |
Stratford |
Fri 26 Feb 9.30 to 4.30 |
Intellectual Property and Knowledge Transfer |
Stratford |
Wed 3 Mar 10 to 12 |
Using the ResearchResearch Service |
Stratford |
Tue 9 Mar 10 to 1 |
Research Ethics and Governance |
Stratford |
Thu 18 Mar 10 to 12 |
Regulations on PGR Supervision (PGR-S1) Carlando Francis |
Docklands |
Wed 24 Mar 10 to 1 |
Effective PGR Supervision 1 (PGR-S2) Prof John Wakeford |
Stratford |
Wed 24 Mar 1.45 to 4.45 |
Effective PGR Supervision 2 (PGR-S3) Prof John Wakeford |
Stratford |
Thu 15 April full day |
Project Management Skills for Researchers Dr Caron King |
Stratford |
Tue 27 April full day |
Writing Skills for Researchers |
Stratford |
Thu 6 May morning |
Presentation Skills for Researchers Dr Ashok Jansari |
Docklands |
Thu 6 May afternoon |
Presenting Your Research Dr Asjok Jansari and Dr Caroline Dunmore |
Docklands |
Wed 19 May 10 to 1 |
How To Get Your PhD Without Losing Your Friends, Partner or Health Dr Eleni Kasapi |
Venue TBC |
Thu 20 May 10 to 12 |
Regulations on PGR Examination (PGR-E1) Carlando Francis |
Docklands |
Tue 25 May morning |
Networking Skills for Researchers Dr Caroline Dunmore and Dr Jo Cordy |
Stratford |
Mon 7 June full day |
Managing Your Research as Part of a Busy Work Life Dr Caron King |
Stratford |
Mon 7 June 2-4 |
Regulations on PGR Supervision (PGR-S1) Carlando Francis |
Stratford |
Tue 8 June 10 to 1 |
Getting the Best From the Student-Supervisor Relationship - For Students Dr Caron King |
Stratford |
Tue 8 June 1.45 to 4.45 |
Getting the Best From the Student-Supervisor Relationship - For Supervisors (PGR-S4) Dr Caron King |
Stratford |
Wed 16 June morning |
Making the Most of Conferences Dr Ashok Jansari |
Stratford |
Wed 16 June afternoon |
Presenting Your Research Dr Ashok Jansari and Dr Caroline Dunmore |
Stratford |
Wed 23 June full day |
Teamworking Skills for Researchers Dr Caroline Dunmore and Dr Jo Cordy |
Stratford |
Fri 9 July 9.30 to 4.30 |
Intellectual Property and Knowledge Transfer Dr Richard Zheng |
Stratford |
Thu 15 July full day |
Introduction to Leadership Skills Dr Caroline Dunmore and Dr Jo Cordy |
Queen Mary Mile End |
Tue 28 & Wed 29 Sep two full days |
How To Be An Effective Researcher Dr Steve Hutchinson |
Venue TBC |
A one-day workshop for early-career researchers and postgraduate research students. Participants will learn about the key principles of project management and use them within the workshop to develop a comprehensive plan for their research. The plan will include contingency, risk management and stakeholder activities and reporting requirements, as well as the technical and project management activities needed for successful delivery of the project. Participants will leave the workshop with their plan and an understanding of how to continue to manage their research project effectively. Click here for a more detailed course synopsis.
A half-day workshop suitable for early-career researchers and postgraduate research students. The session explores the different types of presentation that researchers may be called upon to give, and emphasises the importance of tailoring your presentation to the audience. Detailed practical advice on how to design effective Powerpoint slideshows is given, along with tips on how to prepare yourself for delivering your presentation and handling questions afterwards. We will also look at what is involved in giving effective public engagement presentations.
A half-day workshop suitable for early-career researchers and postgraduate research students. The session gives participants the opportunity to practise their presentation skills and receive constructive feedback.
A half-day workshop in which you will learn what is wrong with perfectionism, how to postpone procrastination and how to overcome a real “imposter syndrome”. This is an interactive workshop based on research into how we can achieve optimal human functioning and well-being. The workshop will introduce strategies you can use to increase the experience of flow and reduce anxiety or boredom related to your research project. You will leave with a greater understanding of how to maintain good levels of well-being throughout your postgraduate research programme.
A half-day workshop that takes a practical approach to academic networking. We will explore techniques to help you in face-to-face networking situations, such as academic conferences, as well as considering how to make the most of all the online resources that are now available to researchers for “desk-based networking”. You will have the opportunity to participate in some fun activities designed to help you improve your ability to make contacts and market yourself and your research. (Please note that some of the material in this workshop was presented as part of “How To Get Ahead in Academia” last semester.)
A practical one-day workshop designed specially for UEL staff who need to move their research activities up a gear while still managing a heavy load of other work. You will have the opportunity to define the big picture of what you want from your career and your research, to determine what is realistic and to identify the actions you need to take to increase your chances of success. You will leave the workshop with a detailed action plan of how to manage the next twelve months of your work, and will have a peer group of mentors to support you and hold you accountable for delivery.
A half-day workshop designed specially for postgraduate research students at UEL. We will explore strategies for helping your supervisor help you achieve what you want from your doctoral programme. This will be a highly interactive session from which you will come away with some practical tips on working with your supervisor as effectively as possible.
A half-day workshop in which we will discuss how to make the most of academic conferences: how to plan for attending them and what to expect when you get there, and how to make a poster presentation. (Please note that some of the material in this workshop was presented as part of “How To Get Ahead in Academia” last semester.)
A one-day workshop developed in collaboration with Queen Mary, University of London. We will explore some theory and undertake some activities relating to how people interact in teams. You will have an opportunity to reflect on your behaviour and its impact on others when working in different groups and on different tasks. You will leave the workshop with an enhanced understanding of how to develop and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, peers and other colleagues.
A one-day workshop developed in collaboration with Queen Mary, University of London, and designed for researchers who have not yet had any experience as line managers. We will explore issues around communication, influencing and management skills where there is no line management authority involved. Apart from the ability to manage yourself, the key to personal effectiveness often rests on understanding the impact you have on others and how to manage relationships to achieve results. You will have the opportunity to review key leadership styles and their effectiveness, and analyse your own leadership and communication styles.
A two-day course for first-year and second-year postgraduate research students. This is a highly interactive programme developed and delivered by Vitae (the national organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff). Its aim is to build understanding and skills in communication, planning, time management, problem-solving, leadership and assertiveness. Learning and working styles are explored in the following areas: PhD project planning and time management; working effectively with others in the research environment; collaboration and negotiating; and culture within research groups, institutions and countries
This two-part workshop has now been split into two half-day workshops: Networking Skills for Researchers and Making the Most of Conferences
A two-hour session designed for staff responsible for supervising postgraduate research students. This highly interactive session aims to give participants a well-rounded knowledge and understanding of the regulations and code of practice regarding the supervision of postgraduate research students. Participants work in small groups to discuss a series of questions about how supervisors should deal with students at various stages in their research degree.
A half-day workshop in which participants discuss the context relating to funding issues, doctoral success rates and the QAA code of practice; what constitutes originality in a doctorate; and the time commitment, financial investment and project management approach required for a doctorate. Likely to be of more interest to new supervisors than experienced ones. (Can be attended as a one-day workshop along with Effective PGR Supervision 2.)
A half-day workshop in which participants explore case studies that highlight some of the typical issues in PGR supervision. Participants can specify in advance any aspects of supervision that are of particular concern, and then relevant case studies are selected from an extensive collection of real-life experiences. Equally suitable for new and experienced supervisors. (Can be attended as a one-day workshop along with Effective PGR Supervision 2.)
A half-day workshop in which participants consider effective strategies for helping their students achieve what they want from their doctoral programme – setting expectations, monitoring progress, keeping the student on track, handling difficult conversations and so on. Equally suitable for new and experienced supervisors.
A two-hour session designed for staff interested in the examination of postgraduate research students - whether in the capacity of examiner, chair or supervisor. This highly interactive session aims to give participants a well-rounded knowledge and understanding of the regulations and code of practice regarding the examination of postgraduate research students. Participants work in small groups to discuss a series of questions about the examination process.. This session will be of particular interest to colleagues who are experienced in PGR examination but who require an update on the regulations in order to serve as a chair at PGR vivas.
This session is suitable for staff who are relatively new to the role of examiner or chair. It introduces the general principles of effective research degree examining and the procedures that are specific to UEL. The roles and responsibilities of the examiners and the chair are examined in detail. Participants are given the opportunity to consider best practice in: selecting the internal and external examiners; organising the examination; reviewing the thesis document; conducting the viva; compiling the reports; and reviewing any revisions. The session features a significant amount of group discussion and the exploration of an extended case study, so that participants are able to share experience and reflect on their own practice.
A one-day workshop that presents a step-by-step method for structuring your thinking and your writing. It will enable participants to: identify key readers and decision-makers; decide the key message of what they are writing; determine a set of subsidiary messages; create an appropriate structure; place appropriate information in the right part of the document; develop a writing method that makes good use of scarce time; and edit with confidence. Suitable for experienced researchers who would like to increase their efficiency at writing papers and for PGR students who want to plan their thesis.
A one-day workshop suitable for all research staff and postgraduate research students. This is an opportunity to get expert advice on how to make successful grant applications to the Research Councils and other funders. The workshop is led by a senior academic with experience of both bidding and refereeing research applications for funding bodies, and is highly practical and interactive. Participants examine and discuss actual examples of successful and unsuccessful applications, and also get the opportunity to receive feedback on their own draft or unsuccessful grant application (in confidence).
A two-hour workshop suitable for all research staff and postgraduate research students. This is a practical hands-on training session in how to use ResearchResearch – “the newspaper for the research world, the world’s most reliable source of policy news and funding opportunities”. Participants will learn how to carry out simple and advanced searches, set up tailored alerts on funding opportunities and news stories, and create e-magazines of bookmarked funding opportunities and news articles for e-mailing to research groups.
This one-day session is suitable for all research staff and postgraduate research students. It is an introduction to the basics about innovation, intellectual property and knowledge transfer in the public sector. The first part explains the main forms of intellectual property and intellectual property rights, and is followed by group discussions of case studies. This leads to an examination of issues concerning knowledge transfer, which aims to inform colleagues about the process of academic or commercial exploitation of their research work. Practical help and advice is available on what needs to be done to protect and exploit inventions and research work.
This half-day session is suitable for all research staff and postgraduate research students and provides an introduction to UEL’s ethics policy and procedures. The information covered is essential for researchers whose research involves human or animal participants, and for academic staff responsible for supervising students whose experiments involve human or animal participants. The session explains how the Research Ethics Committee operates, and offers several case studies for consideration; examples of good practice are identified and discussed.
A two-part course comprising a presentation in the morning and a workshop in the afternoon. The presentation describes the current state of the academic publishing industry and gives an understanding of the market and conditions in which publishers operate and how these affect the reception of publishing proposals. The workshop demystifies the task of approaching academic presses, explains the decision-making process and helps postgraduate research students and research staff present their work to publishers in the best way. The workshop is suitable for students and staff working in the arts, humanities and social sciences; workshop participants must attend the presentation as well. The presentation in the morning will be of interest to staff and students across the disciplines, but is more oriented to the academic book market than to academic journals.
We have seven online courses in research skills developed by Epigeum, a spin-out company from Imperial College London. Each course comprises 90 minutes of multi-media e-learning material.
To gain access to one or more of the online courses, please e-mail Dr Caroline Dunmore, Research Skills Development Adviser in the Graduate School, on c.dunmore@uel.ac.uk. Please give your student number or staff network ID as well as stating the courses you would like to use.
The courses are:
To book a place on a workshop, please e-mail Dr Caroline Dunmore, Research Skills Development Adviser in the Graduate School, on c.dunmore@uel.ac.uk. When booking, please be sure to state your School and job title / PGR programme as well the workshop you would like to book.
To gain access to one or more of the online courses, please e-mail Caroline on c.dunmore@uel.ac.uk. Please give your student number or staff network ID as well as stating the courses you would like to use.
Colleagues in Library & Learning Services offer a range of resources to support UEL researchers - click here to visit their web pages.
Vitae is a national organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes.
The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy. Click here to find out more about the Concordat.
The UCL Centre for the Advancement of Learning and Technology has put John Wakeford's collection of PhD diaries online - click here to visit the case study database.
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