research and business services - northumbria university for your viva: ... developing research...

Research and Business Services

Professional Development

and Research Training Programme

2015/16

Research and Business Services Room 120, Mea House

Tel: (0191) 227 4257 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Research and Business Services Professional Development and Research Training

Programme 2015/16

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Contents Page

Introduction 3

Research Governance and Organisation Induction to Northumbria for Postgraduate Research Students 5 Annual Progression: Year 1 5 Annual Progression: Preparing for the Panel 5 Preparing for your viva: the end is in sight! 6 An Introduction to Research Management for PGRs 6 Writing Up and Submitting 7 Knowledge and Intellectual Abilities Research Philosophies and Paradigms 7 Using Nvivo 7 How to Write A Lot 8 Getting Published 8 Conference Bursary Scheme 8 Research Event Support Scheme 9 Faculty Training Programmes 9 Personal Effectiveness How to be an Effective Researcher 9 Reality Check: Maintaining Motivation throughout your Doctorate 9 Managing a Part Time Doctorate 10 Developing Research Resilience: Surviving Your Doctorate 10 Doctoral Dilemmas 11 Careers in Academia 11 Early Intervention: career planning for PGRs 11 CV, Applications and Interviews 12 Broadening your Horizons: careers outside of academia 12 Engagement, Influence and Impact To Tweet or not to Tweet’: Social media for researchers 13 Making the Most out of Conferences 13 Pitch Perfect: Delivering Better Presentations 13 The Three Minute Thesis Competition 13 An Introduction to Research Posters 13 Developing and Running a Research Event or Conference 14 Online Training 14 Other Training and Support 15

http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/


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Welcome to Northumbria’s PGR Professional Development and Research

Training Programme for 2015/16.

This programme has been designed specifically to meet the needs of Northumbria’s PGR

community. It provides a range of opportunities for PGRs throughout the duration of their research

degree to continue their personal and professional development.

The programme offers PGRs the opportunity to:

Enhance your individual personal and professional competencies

Identify your personal training route

Help you to a timely and successful completion and to thrive in a competitive job market

Enhance your time and experience at Northumbria University

It can be useful to think of skills development at the University as being divided into two distinct

areas, ‘discipline specific’ and ‘transferable’ (sometimes called ‘generic’) research skills.

Discipline specific training is normally delivered at Faculty/ Departmental level, whilst Research and

Business Services focus on transferable skills which are relevant to PGRs in all Faculties. In reality

you will find that many sessions will overlap between the two areas. Research and Business

Services concentrates on delivering transferable skills sessions focusing on the personal and

professional development of researchers and the processes and procedures that are involved in

completing a research degree. Faculties and academic departments focus on delivering discipline

specific training and providing a rich academic environment for PGRs. You will develop your own

training programme through a combination of these and any external opportunities.

There is no set training programme for any PGR. It is your responsibility to access courses and

other opportunities as they arise and in fitting with the stage of your research degree. Some

training courses are designed to meet different needs at different times of your research degree.

You should make sure that your chosen course is correct for your stage and you should not try to

complete big chunks of training at the same time.

Assessing your Skills

Before booking onto any training courses you will need to evaluate your training needs with your

Principal Supervisor. This should be at least an annual process and will be formally reviewed as

part of your annual progression.

Your development as a researcher does not come from attending all of the training in this

booklet. You will develop through discussions with your peers and attendance at research

seminars and conferences. By participating in the wider research culture of Northumbria and

taking advantage of the networks that exist within your discipline you will be able to exploit more

opportunities and develop your career as a researcher.

Your

training

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Selecting Skills Training

To book your place on any of the sessions visit the online booking system:

http://nuweb.northumbria.ac.uk/pgr/index.php

If you are no longer able to attend a session remember to cancel your booking via the online

booking system. You must cancel at least 48 hours ahead of the scheduled programme. If

you fail to attend an email will be sent to your supervisor notifying them of your absence.

If you fail to attend more than three training sessions any further bookings you have made

will be cancelled. You will also forfeit the opportunity to apply for a Research and Business

Services conference bursary which is normally offered on a competitive basis.

Communications

You must check your University email account regularly – we recommend at least once a week –

as the programme is subject to change and additions throughout the year. You can also access up

to date information via the researcher development Twitter account @NorthumbriaResD

Etiquette

The PGR development programme is delivered by a mixture of internal staff and external

providers. Many staff volunteer their time to ensure a rigorous support system is in place for

research students. As such please ensure that you show them courtesy by being prompt, arriving

at least five minutes before the start of the programme. In 2015/16 Research and Business

Services will prohibit the award of conference bursaries to students who repeatedly fail to

attend Researcher Development Training they have booked onto. Students who book onto

but fail to attend 3 training sessions will have their applications rejected.


http://nuweb.northumbria.ac.uk/pgr/index.php


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Research Governance and Organisation

Induction to Northumbria for Postgraduate Research Students

Course Content: A half day workshop for new research students to provide them with the

foundation for a successful start to their research degree. This course aims to demystify the

research degree process and provides new students with an opportunity to find out more about the

structure and criteria for research degrees and an opportunity to discuss your concerns. This

course is compulsory.

Aims and Objectives:

By the end of this session participants will have:

An understanding of the research process at Northumbria

Gained an understanding of the requirements of a research degree

Considered the supervisor relationship

Dates: 22 October 2015 27 November 2015 8 February 2016 24 May 2016

Times: 09.30-13.00 09.30-13.00 09.30-13.00 09.30-13.00

Annual Progression: Preparing for year one submission Online training Module Course Content: Each year students undergo annual progression to monitor students’ progress. For both full time and part time students year one AP consists of a report that is submitted for review. This session covers what is required and how students can use the report to review their progress and plan for year two. Aims and Objectives:


Explored what is required to complete annual progression

Have planned their next year and reviewed their achievements in year one.

Understood the requirements for a research degree at Northumbria.

Annual Progression: Preparing for the Panel Course Content: Each year students undergo annual progression to monitor students’ progress. For full time students their second year AP consists of a panel and report submission. This session covers what is required and how students can use the Panel as preparation for their viva. This course is compulsory – all second year students should attend. Aims and Objectives:


Explored what is required to complete annual progression

Have planned their final year before their Viva voce

Understood the requirements for a research degree at Northumbria.

Dates: 15 October 2015 20 January 2016 3 March 2016 9 June 2016 Times: 10.00-12.00 14.00 – 16.00 10.00-12.00 14.00-16.00



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Preparing for your Viva: The end is in sight!

Course Content: Don’t know your word count limit? Unsure what a viva involves and who will be there? This half day workshop will provide practical advice and information about university procedures around the viva and submitting your thesis. You will have the opportunity to hear from both recent graduates and experienced examiners on what their viva experiences have been like. It will demystify the process for you so that you feel confident entering the exam room. This course is compulsory. Students in their final year should attend.



An understanding of the University procedures involved in submitting their thesis and arranging their viva.

An understanding of what to expect from the viva and how to prepare for it.

Dates: 8 October 2015 19 January 2016 19 July 2016 Times: 09.30-12.00 09.30-12.00 09.30-12.00

An Introduction to Research Management for PGRs

Course Content: This session will introduce students to concepts that will allow them to effectively

apply project management through the setting of research goals, intermediate milestones and

prioritisation of activities. The session will also cover the life-cycle of the research process from the

initial idea for a research problem through to completion and the viva.



Explored how a project management approach can be effective in helping them take charge of their doctorate

Identified areas of risk in doctoral projects

Develop a project plan for their doctorate and use University milestones to measure progress

Dates: 19 November 2015 4 February 2016 25 May 2016 Times: 10.00-11.30 10.00-11.30 10.00-11.30

Writing Up and Submitting

Course Content: This session looks at the process of writing up your thesis and includes tasks to improve your writing practice. It will also look at the process of submitting your thesis for examination. This session will use Prof Vernon Trafford’s approach to thesis writing and will look at ways you can develop your analytical arguments. Aims and Objectives:


Explored the process of nomination of examiners

Knowledge of the thesis/ portfolio submission process

Audited their thesis

Had an opportunity to ask questions on the submission process



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Dates: 17 November 2015 2 February 2016 19 May 2016 Times: 10.00-12.00 10.00-12.00 10.00-12.00

Knowledge and Intellectual Abilities

Research Philosophies and Paradigms Course Content: These sessions will present the philosophy of research, including alternative epistemological positions to provide researchers with a context for theory construction. The workshop will allow attendees to develop a critical understanding of the disciplines and methods upon which they will be drawing including the validity and scope of knowledge and appropriate alternative approaches to research. Aims and Objectives:


Discussed the nature of knowledge and originality

Considered different philosophical paradigms appropriate to their research

Discussed with other research students the nature of research and the epistemologies that underpin it

Dates: 4 December 2015 17 March 2016 Times: 14.00-16.00 10.00-12.00

Using Nvivo

Course Content:

This session will explore how researchers can use Nvivo as a tool for managing qualitative data.



Gained an understanding of how to use Nvivo

Will have imported data into an Nvivo programme

Dates: To be confirmed following confirmation of timetable availability of NVivo labs

How to Write a Lot

Course Content: This session will look at strategies for developing time to write and how to develop chunks of writing into chapters. This will be a hands on session where students are expected to practice their writing skills and develop a writing timetable.



Developed their own writing timetable

Explored the barriers to writing

Developed a writing framework for their thesis



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Dates: 20 October 2015 12 January 2016 14 June 2016 Times: 10.00 - 12.30 10.00 -12.30 14.00-16.30

Getting Published

Course Content: Writing and getting published are staple activities in academic life. The phrase

“publish or perish” has become well known. The aim is to help you get you work published – and

to do so as successfully as possible. We will focus on journal articles and here from experience

academic writers and journal editors who can support you in developing a publication plan.



A critical understanding of where and how to publish their work.

Developed a publication plan and considered which Journals to publish in

Understood what processes are involved in getting published? Who does what, when?

Dates: 9 December 2015 21 April 2016 Times: 14.00 – 16.00 10.00-12.00

Conference Bursary scheme

The bursary award is up to £250 per applicant per 12 month cycle (1 August to 31 July). Bursaries

are awarded on a competitive basis. They are not an entitlement and cannot be made

retrospectively.

Bursaries are available to postgraduate research students (i.e. those registered for an MPhil, PhD

or Professional Doctorate) to attend conferences. This is supported by a central fund administered

by Research and Business Services.

The normal requirement for the bursary is that the successful applicant will contribute to the

conference (e.g. by presenting a paper or poster) and feedback knowledge and experience gained

from the conference to their supervision team and research group.

The aim of this scheme is to support the development of PGRs personal and professional skills as

well as their research skills. Attendance and presentation at a conference or symposium allows

students to engage with several areas of the Researcher Development Framework (A1, A3, B1,

B3, C3, C2, and D2).

To access the scheme please visit:

www.northumbria.ac.uk/researchandconsultancy/graduateschool/dev/pgrbursaries

Research Event Support Scheme

This scheme awards up to £300 per application per 12 month cycle (1 August to 31 July of each academic year).


http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/researchandconsultancy/graduateschool/dev/pgrbursaries


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Bursaries are available to a team of postgraduate research students (i.e. those registered for an MPhil, PhD or Professional Doctorate) to fund the organisation and delivery of a peer led conference, symposium or event within their discipline. This is supported by a central fund administered by Research and Business Services.

The normal requirement for a successful application is that applications will include one external speaker, be aimed at postgraduate research students and will take place on Campus. Knowledge and experience gained from the event will be fed back to department and research group as appropriate.

The aim of this scheme is to support both the development of PGRs personal and professional skills as well as contribute to their research. The organisation of a conference, symposium or other research focused event allows students to engage with several areas of the Researcher Development Framework (A1, B1, B3, C3, C2, D2 and D1). The form of the activity proposed is entirely at the discretion of the applicant.

To access the scheme please visit:

www.northumbria.ac.uk/researchandconsultancy/graduateschool/dev/pgrbursaries

Faculty and Departmental Training Programmes

Academic Faculties and Departments deliver a number of training programmes and seminar

series that are open to and aimed at PGRs. This is an essential component of any students

training programme and develops your methodological understanding and ensure you feel part of

the research culture of your Department.

To find out more information on these programmes you should speak to your Principal Supervisor.

Personal Effectiveness

How to be an Effective Researcher

Course Content: A one-day workshop for postgraduate researchers in the first year of their

doctorate drawing on the experience of their first few months. The course approaches the PhD as

a project and engages with students to address issues of planning, time and resource

management, problem solving and creativity. The supervisor and student relationship is also

tackled, focusing on assertiveness and communication skills. This is a workshop focused training

session and is only suitable for those who enjoy this kind of experiential learning. It is highly

recommended that students in their first year attend this programme.

Dates: 24 February 2016 10 May 2016 Times: 09.30-16.30 09.30-16.30

Reality Check: Maintaining Motivation throughout your Doctorate

Course Content: Postgraduate researchers are often told that a doctorate is a marathon and not a

sprint. However the reality of juggling commitments and staying on target can be daunting. This


http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/researchandconsultancy/graduateschool/dev/pgrbursaries


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session looks at different coping mechanisms, where to find support and how to keep on track with

your doctorate. It will offer opportunities for discussion on how to sustain enthusiasm throughout

your doctorate.

Aims and Objectives


Identified commitments and priorities

Set goals and review milestones

Discussed the reality of doing a doctorate

Considered other avenues of university support

Dates: 15 December 2015 24 June 2015 Times: 10.00-12.00 14.00-16.00

Developing Researcher Resilience: Getting the best out of your doctorate Course Content: This new, innovative workshop will look at the following aspects of successfully completing a doctorate. This day long interactive workshop will focus on how you can manage the competing demands of your doctorate including, supervisory relationships; university processes; career aspirations and your wellbeing. The programme is aimed at students in year two. Aims and Objectives: By the end of this session participants will have:

Explored how to best support your relationship, get through doctoral processes, and tackle the thesis

Reviewed the spaces created by the doctorate and the possibilities to develop academic entrepreneurship

Recognised the stresses and strains of completing a doctorate and developed strategies to manage your doctoral journey.

Dates: 10 November 2015 Times: 10.00 – 16.00

Managing a Part Time Doctorate Course Content: This interactive half- day programme offers part-time researchers the opportunity to take the time and space to share and discuss with peers and academics from outside their supervisory arrangements, what research is and how its quality is assessed. You will also get some succinct training in a range of key areas for part-time researchers. Skills session topics include:

academic writing styles

accessing information

getting the best from a part-time supervisor

making progress: avoiding defeatism and self-sabotage

planning to manage your time

structuring your thesis

Dates: 17 December 2015 7 June 2016 Times: 09.30 – 12.30 09.30 – 12.30



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Doctoral Dilemmas

Doctoral Dilemmas aims to explore the issues often not covered informal training or supervision.

Questions panels will cover consist of issues such as how do you get started? How do you keep

going? How do I know when I have done enough? How do I prepare for the viva?

The format is an invited student panel discussing doctoral problems with the audience followed by

networking opportunities

Dates, times and theme:

Getting Started: Because you don’t know what you don’t know 1 December 2015, 11.30 – 13.30 Managing the Supervisory Relationship 18 January 2016, 11.30 – 13.30 Putting Your Doctorate in Room 101 7 March 2016, 11.30 – 13.30

Exploring the International Student Experience 16 May 2016, 11.30 – 13.30 Finishing up and Moving on 12 July 2015, 11.30 – 13.30

Careers in Academia

Course Content: This half day workshop will offer PGRs an insight into academic careers

covering post –doc awards, lecturing and research posts. The course will enable PGRs to

meet with current academics and researchers from a range of disciplines to hear about their

experiences.



An understanding of what life is like as an early career researcher

Explored how to market themselves in academia

Completed a practical exercises in networking and CV reviewing

Dates: 7 December 2015 13 May 2016

Times: 14.00 – 15.30 10.00 – 11.30

Early Intervention: career planning for PGRs

Course Content: This innovative workshop is for first year students to enable them to begin

to plan their career expectations and goals from the beginning of their doctorate. The

workshop will cover the current HE landscape and different job opportunities as well as

looking at how students can use their doctoral study to generate the skills and profiles

required for their future career.



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An understanding of what HE sector and doctoral career expectations

Explored how to use the RDF to plan their transferable skills

Completed practical exercises to explore different career options

Dates: 24 November 2015 21 March 2016 Times: 14.00 – 16.00 10.00 – 12.00

CVs, Applications and Interviews

Course Content: This session, led by the Careers Service, will look at how you can perfect

your CV and applications and improve your interview technique.



Explored how to market themselves

Completed a practical exercises to develop your CV

Dates: 21 January 2016 14 April 2016 Times: 10.00 – 11.30 10.00 – 11.30

Broadening Your Horizons: careers outside of academia

Course Content: This workshop will look at careers outside of academia and explore how

you can develop your transferable skills to market yourself outside of academia.



Developed skills to search for jobs outside of academia

Considered their transferable skills developed through the doctorate

Explored how to market themselves outside of academia

Dates: 3 December 2015 5 May 2016 Times: 14.00 – 15.30 10.00 – 11.30

Engagement, Influence and Impact

To Tweet or not to Tweet’: Social media for researchers

Course Content: An innovative session which will examine how researchers can best make use of

new technologies to support and publicise your research.





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Considered whether new technologies could improve their research practice

Discussed using a range of new technologies and how they can be used to enhance research.

Dates: 29 October 2015 16 March 2016 Times: 10.00-11.00 10.00-11.00

Networking and Making the Most out of Conferences

Course Content: This original programme prepares PGRs for their first conference experience.

The session seeks to develop your networking, presentation and communication skills. This

session will get you ready for those academic conferences that are vital for your CV.



Explored the benefits of attending an academic conference

Developed a conference strategy

Developed their networking and communicating skills

Dates: 6 October 2015 14 January 2016 21 June 2016 Times: 09.00-11.00 09.00-11.00 14.00-16.00

Pitch Perfect: Delivering Better Presentations Course Content: Delivering presentations, whether at seminars, conferences or through teaching is part of academic life. This session will introduce student to basic techniques to deliver engaging presentations. It will look at voice techniques and how to hone your personal style as well as the content of presentations. Aims and Objectives:


Explored what makes a good presentation

Considered their personal presentation style

Planned their next presentation

Dates: 13 November 2015 8 March 2016 7 July 2016 Times: 10.00-12.00 14.00-16.00 10.00-12.00

The Three Minute Thesis Competition Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland which challenges research higher degree students to present a compelling oration on their thesis and its significance in just three minutes in language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. In 2015/6 Research and Business Services will be running a competition for final year students to enter. Dates: 26 January 2016 Times: 15.00 - 17.00

Developing and Running a Research Event or Conference Online training Module

Course Content: This programme seeks to support PGRs who wish to run a research event of

their own. Be it a conference, symposium or seminar, this session will help you navigate how to



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run an event from start to finish. It will explore avenues for funding as well as hearing from

researchers who have organised their own events.

Aims and Objectives


Knowledge of support available at Northumbria for running a conference

Will have developed an idea for an event of their own

Explored funding opportunities for PGR events

An Introduction to Research Posters Online training Module

Course Content: Learn more about the layout and design of winning posters and how to create

one of your own using design specific tools. Students should bring along a copy of a poster they

have produced with them.



Learnt how to effectively design a poster

Explored how to best use a poster at a conference

Online Training

During the first semester of 2015/16 all training will be moving to an online format so that students can

access these anywhere at any time and across a number of platforms. These modules will be

available via the eLP site Graduate School Community.

A number of PGR RDT programmes are now online modules only

To access the online training you will need to join the Graduate School Community eLP organisation

AS006BC using the password GSCREG. You can navigate to the online training via the menu on the

left hand of the organisation.



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Other Support and Training

University Library Research Support Team

The University Library provides a very extensive range of services to support all researchers. New

research students will be able to access many of these services 24/7, including the provision and

application of research resource discovery tools, research skills development support, citation and

bibliographic control software, plus the Ask4Help enquiry service. All Researchers have access to

Research Support Librarians who are available to provide subject specific support and arrange

appropriate development and training opportunities within each Faculty.

Northumbria Students Union

NSU is here to have a positive impact on all students but we know that all students are different;

you come from different cultures, countries and backgrounds but the one thing you do all have in

common is studying at Northumbria. It’s important that your voice is heard amongst the crowd

which is why we support student representatives to Speak Up on the issues that matter to you.

Each department has a PGR Representative who sits on Faculty and University wide committees.

To find out more about representation in your department please visit:

http://www.mynsu.co.uk/speakup/reps/

Student Support and Wellbeing

Student Support and Wellbeing encompasses specialist teams which offer free, impartial and

confidential advice on the following:

• Disability and dyslexia support • Counselling and mental health support • Financial support • Welfare and health support • International student support • Change of circumstances * Chaplaincy and faith advice

For more information please visit Stunt Support web pages:

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/support-for-students/


http://www.mynsu.co.uk/speakup/reps/

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/support-for-students/


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Careers Service

The Careers Zone is on the ground floor of the University Library on the City Campus to the left of the Ask4Help desk as you walk in. If you need any support accessing the services available, just Ask4Help. We’re here for you whatever stage you’re at with your study or career plans. We want you to achieve your ambitions and will support your journey, helping you plan a route towards your goals.

Get 1-1 support Visit the Careers Drop-in each weekday 10.00am - 4.00pm in the Careers Zone.

Find job opportunities Get your graduate job search off the ground with access to hundreds of opportunities.

Get ahead with tools for success Enjoy exclusive access to employer videos, practice psychometric tests and discover other useful materials. Go to the eLearning Portal and click the careers tab on the top menu.

Meet employers on campus Introduce yourself to potential employers at events on campus throughout the year. Go to careers events below to see our full programme.

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/planning-your-career/careers-and-

employment/


https://elp.northumbria.ac.uk/

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/planning-your-career/careers-and-employment/

https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/planning-your-career/careers-and-employment/

research and business services - northumbria university for your viva: ... developing research...

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