Researcher Development Programme 2023/24
Welcome to the Researcher Development Programme 2023/24.
Below you will find our latest offerings of trainings/workshops for postgraduate research students and staff. Research Services are using Gecko to keep a record of trainings and attendees so please use the Gecko form to sign up for trainings and workshops. For further information about the course itself, please reach out directly to the facilitator listed.
Zoom links will be provided in due course. We hope to record some sessions in the event you are not able to attend.
We are excited about the upcoming academic term and look forward to working with you. If there are course offerings you do not see, but wish to see, please contact research@stmarys.ac.uk.
Date: Tuesdays, 3rd October 2023-12th December 2023
Venue: hybrid (online and B2 for SHE7007 and K107 for SHE7008)
Time: 11am-1pm (SHE7007) and 2-4pm (SHE7008)
Host: Elisabetta Canetta and Mark Glaister
For postgraduate research students.
Outline
SHE7007 (Skills for Researchers):
This module will provide training in research skills for postgraduate students regardless of their subject specialty. It is designed to equip students with a critical appreciation of the research principles and research skills required for well-structured research and the successful completion of a research project. The module will equip students with a deep understanding of the complexities of research design, research management, dissemination, and the extent to which these issues influence the meaning and value of evidence. The module will aim to increase students’ research skills and understanding of the various aspects of the research process and, ultimately, their independence as a researcher.
SHE7008 (Advanced Research Methods):
The module will focus on the statistical methods (quantitative and qualitative) that are widely used for the analysis and interpretation of data in all fields of research. The students will gain advanced knowledge with regards to the selection and justification of appropriate tests/methods and illustrations for describing/analysing different data. They will also learn about the complexities associated with robust experimental design in terms of statistical power, randomisation strategies and analysis techniques. The module will teach the students the effective use of statistical software package SPSS to analyse, present and, interpret data.
Date and time: Wednesday 4th October 2023, 11am
Venue: hybrid (online and Senior Common Room)
Host: Head of Research Services and guests
Agenda
The session will include:
- welcome note
- PhD the Supervisory Teams introduction and presentations
- Postgraduate research student rep introductions
- PhD postgraduate research leads introduction and presentation
- doctoral programme overview
- Student Services information
- Careers Services information
- Q&A session, netowrking and, refreshments.
Date and time: Thursday 5th October 2023, 12-2pm
Venue: on campus
Host: Colleen McKenna
Workshop objectives
The broad aims of the programme are to:
- enable you to enhance your skills and understanding of teaching and learning in higher education
- combine personal experience and values with educational theory and practice
- promote a student-focused approach to pedagogy
- support the design of diverse and inclusive approaches to learning within the classroom
- encourage reflection and evaluation.
Date and time: Wednesday 11th October 2023, 2pm
Venue: hybrid (online and B2)
Host: Matt James
For postgraduate research students and academic staff.
Outline
Research Integrity refers to the standards and conduct expected of members of the University engaged in research. At St Mary’s we are committed to protecting the health, safety, rights, and academic freedom of researchers and the reputation of the University as a centre for properly conducted, high quality research. We recommend all postgraduate research students and researchers to attend this session.
The University is committed to ensuring that we act at all times in accordance with the principles outlined in the Concordat to Support Research Integrity launched in July 2012 by Universities UK. The Concordat outlines what is expected of researchers and their employers to ensure the highest standards of research.
Workshop objectives
As a result of attending the workshop participants will:
- be familiar with the principles of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity
- understand what good practice in research is
- know what to do if things go wrong
- understand the process for ethical approval at St Mary's.
Additional resources
Date and time: Thursday 12th October 2023, 12-2pm
Venue: on campus
Host: Colleen McKenna
Workshop objectives
The broad aims of the programme are to:
- enable you to enhance your skills and understanding of teaching and learning in higher education
- combine personal experience and values with educational theory and practice
- promote a student-focused approach to pedagogy
- support the design of diverse and inclusive approaches to learning within the classroom
- encourage reflection and evaluation.
Date and time: Wednesday 18th October 2023, 4-6pm
Venue: online
Host: Christine Edwards-Leis
For postgraduate research supervisors.
Outline
This workshop is for all supervisors, regardless of experience. We will look at the programme expectations at St Mary’s as well as the support available from UKCGE and literature. Experienced supervisors will share useful strategies and scenarios will be provided for discussion.
Date and time: Wednesday 19th October 2023, 12-2pm
Venue: on campus
Host: Colleen McKenna
Workshop objectives
The broad aims of the programme are to:
- enable you to enhance your skills and understanding of teaching and learning in higher education
- combine personal experience and values with educational theory and practice
- promote a student-focused approach to pedagogy
- support the design of diverse and inclusive approaches to learning within the classroom
- encourage reflection and evaluation.
Date and time: Friday 3rd November 2023, 11am-12pm
Venue: online
Host: A Stenfeldt-Jurgensen
For postgraduate research students and staff.
Agenda
The session will include:
- introductions
- how do we access Research Development Programme
- funding opportunities database
- miscellaneous functionalities – news and conferences
- our institution
- help section and Q&A.
Date and time: Friday 10th November, 10am-12pm
Venue: online
Host: Andre Alves
For postgraduate research students.
Workshop objectives
This session will:
- present different strategies for formulating research questions and the most common pitfalls in that task
- address the centrality of a solid research question for the research process
- examine the connection between the question and the theoretical and empirical components of research.
The open exchange and discussion of different experiences in formulating and adjusting research questions will be encouraged.
Date and time: Thursday 2nd November 2023, 2pm
Venue: hybrid (room J101)
Host: Jacob Johannsen
For postgraduate research students.
Outline
In this session, we will cover what a literature review is as part of a PhD thesis, how it differs from regular literature reviews that you might have written as part of your BA or MA studies, why the literature review is so essential, and how you achieve the right balance between presenting and critically discussing current scholarship in your area.
Date and time: Wednesday 15th November 2023, 10-11am
Venue: online
Host: Christine Edwards-Leis
For supervisors.
Date and time: Wednesday 15th November 2023, 11am-12pm
Venue: online
Host: Christine Edwards-Leis
For postgraduate research students.
Workshop Objectives
In these sessions we will be covering the following:
- the purpose of Confirmation/Transfer Review
- the possible outcomes
- the processes
- the forms
- deadlines.
Date and time: Friday 24th November 2023, 10am-12pm
Venue: online
Host: Helen Duncan and Matthew James
For postgraduate research students (10-10.45am) and supervisors (11.15am-12pm).
Date and Time: Wednesday 17th January 2024, 10-11am
Venue: hybrid
Host: Kyriaki Myrissa
For postgraduate research supervisors.
Agenda
The session will include:
- what is expected: regulations
- what is available to support you
- sharing experience
- expectations
- case studies– discussion and feedback
- community of practice forum.
Date and Time: Wednesday 7th February 2024, 11am
Venue: hybrid
Host: Head of Research Services and guests
For postgraduate research students.
Agenda
The session will include:
- welcome note
- PhD the Supervisory Teams introduction and presentations
- postgraduate research student rep introduction
- PhD PGR Leads introduction and presentation
- doctoral Programme overview
- Student Services information
- Careers Services information
- Q&A session, netowrking and, refreshments.
Date and Time: Friday 16th February, 10am-12pm
Venue: online
Host: André Alves
For postgraduate research students.
Outline
This session will:
- present different strategies for formulating research questions and the most common pitfalls in that task
- address the centrality of a solid research question for the research process
- examine the connection between the question and the theoretical and empirical components of research.
The open exchange and discussion of different experiences in formulating and adjusting research questions will be encouraged.
Date and time: Wednesday 20th March 2024, 1-2pm
Venue: hybrid (room G1)
Host: Ross Wadey
For postgraduate research students.
Outline
This session will enable students to:
- Gain an understanding of a variety of qualitative representational forms (e.g., comics, videos, infographics, poems) to engage and impact their intended audiences (e.g., NHS, UK Sport, Military).
- Learn through various examples of representational forms.
- Students will be encouraged to try a novel form of representation.
Date and time: Wednesday 10th April 2024, TBC
Venue: Online
Host: Rowena Murray
For completing postgraduate research students.
Outline
Over four weeks you will be introduced to four writing strategies to move a thesis forward towards completion or first full draft. Each meeting includes one hour of dedicated writing time, you write a piece each week, and will be given group and individual feedback. Time is included for discussing your writing with others on this course, which people on previous courses found useful and motivating.
Date and time: Tuesday 16th April 2024, 4-6pm
Venue: online
Host: Matt James
For postgraduate research students and academic staff.
Outline
Research Integrity refers to the standards and conduct expected of members of the University engaged in research. At St Mary’s we are committed to protecting the health, safety, rights, and academic freedom of researchers and the reputation of the University as a centre for properly conducted, high quality research. We recommend all postgraduate research students and researchers to attend this session.
The University is committed to ensuring that we act at all times in accordance with the principles outlined in the Concordat to Support Research Integrity launched in July 2012 by Universities UK. The Concordat outlines what is expected of researchers and their employers to ensure the highest standards of research.
Workshop objectives
As a result of attending the workshop participants will:
- be familiar with the principles of the Concordat to Support Research Integrity
- understand what good practice in research is
- know what to do if things go wrong
- understand the process for ethical approval at St Mary's.
Additional resources
Date and time: postponed
Venue: online
Host: Christine Edwards-Leis
For postgraduate Research student supervisors.
Outline
This workshop is for postgraduate research students regardless of discipline. We will explore what it means to be ‘critical’ with a particular focus on the expectations of Level 8 discourse. You will engage with others in discussion around sample paragraphs and explore ways of critiquing your own writing.
Date and time: Wednesday 17th April 2024, TBC
Venue: online
Host: Rowena Murray
For completing postgraduate research students.
Outline
Over four weeks you will be introduced to four writing strategies to move a thesis forward towards completion or first full draft. Each meeting includes one hour of dedicated writing time, you write a piece each week, and will be given group and individual feedback. Time is included for discussing your writing with others on this course, which people on previous courses found useful and motivating.
Date and time: Thursday 18th April 2024, 2pm
Venue: hybrid
Host: Jacob Johanssen
For postgraduate research students.
Outline
Publishing your work and sharing your findings is a key component of a successful research career. With over 30,000 journals to choose from and various publishing models to consider, researchers will need to be aware of which option will work best for them.
Date and time: Wednesday 24th April 2024, TBC
Venue: online
Host: Rowena Murray
For completing postgraduate research students.
Outline
Over four weeks you will be introduced to four writing strategies to move a thesis forward towards completion or first full draft. Each meeting includes one hour of dedicated writing time, you write a piece each week, and will be given group and individual feedback. Time is included for discussing your writing with others on this course, which people on previous courses found useful and motivating.
Date and time: Wednesday 1st May 2024, TBC
Venue: online
Host: Rowena Murray
For completing postgraduate research students.
Outline
Over four weeks you will be introduced to four writing strategies to move a thesis forward towards completion or first full draft. Each meeting includes one hour of dedicated writing time, you write a piece each week, and will be given group and individual feedback. Time is included for discussing your writing with others on this course, which people on previous courses found useful and motivating.
Date and time: Wednesday 8th May 2024, 10-11am
Venue: online
Host: Christine Edwards-Leis
For supervisors.
Date and time: Wednesday 8th May 2024, 11am-12pm
Venue: online
Host: Christine Edwards-Leis
For postgraduate research students.
Outline
These sessions cover the purpose and protocols for the postgraduate research students’ AMRs. Sessions are particularly useful for all new students and supervisors. We cover the expectations of St Mary’s in terms of the documentation for the AMR, the possible outcomes, and the University’s review process.
Date and time: Friday 17th May 2024, 9am-4pm
Venue: on campus
Host: Scriptoria
For academic staff.
Outline
Scriptoria's course in Grant Writing is aimed at early- to mid-career researchers who are looking to build their track record and fund their independent research by winning their first fellowships and research grants or the next “level” of funding. No previous funding experience is required.Over the course of a full-day, face-to-face session, we cover how to turn ideas into a written proposal that is interesting and easy for reviewers to understand. Throughout, we provide real-life examples for participants to critique to complement the theory. The course also covers a host of practical points from budgeting to brainstorming tools to the professional writing cycle, including how to efficiently edit and proofread your own work to a high standard.
Date and Time: Thursday 6th June 2024, 10-11am
Venue: hybrid
Host: Mark Glaister
For postgraduate research students and academic staff.
Outline
Dr Mark Glaister from the School of Sport, Health and Applied Science will deliver a session on presentation skills for postgraduate researchers. The session will focus on dos and don'ts of oral and poster presentations, providing examples of each, and strategies for improving presentation skills.
Date and Time: Thursday 20th June 2024, 4-5.30pm
Venue: hybrid
Host: Gherardo Girardi
For postgraduate research students and supervisors.
Outline and Workshop Objectives
The last hurdle in your PhD journey - your viva examination!
What will it be like? What will the examiners ask? How can you prepare for it?
This workshop aims to provide you with an insight into the process, and helps you understand what to expect within a doctoral degree viva. We will explore the viva's purpose and issues relating to the conduct of the viva (typical processes and procedures, who is there and what they do, and so on). We will discuss the type and nature of questions which are most likely to be posed by examiners during viva examinations.