Jump to section
Training and Development
Research and Skills Training
A number of students will have to complete an MRes, an integrated Masters programme which precedes the PhD.
The SWDTP also organises several training and advanced training sessions for our students. The latest events can be found on the SWDTP website at https://www.swdtp.ac.uk/training-and-development/
SWDTP students have access to ESRC training and workshops, and advanced training, as well as training through the Doctoral Colleges at partner institutions. Please see below for relevant external providers.
Essential Component: Development Needs Analysis (DNA)
Students commencing studies from October 2024 onwards, must engage with the Development Needs Analysis (DNA) process to identify and support ongoing training and development needs. This involves completing a DNA log provided to you by the SWDTP hub. Studentship funding is conditional on engagement with this important process. Further information will be provided at the commencement of your studentship, and can also be found on the Training and Development page of our website.
Essential Component: Placements
To find out more about placements and what we offer, please refer to the Placements section of the website.
Advanced Training/National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM)
NCRM training ranges from master classes in advanced quantitative and qualitative research skills, special lectures, seminars, and master classes involving keynote guest speakers from institutions worldwide.
All ESRC DTPs advertise advanced training offerings on the NCRM website. SWDTP PGR students are encouraged to participate in activities run by the wider social science community and should regularly visit the NCRM website to see what offerings are available. More information can be found at ESRC National Centre for Research Methods (ncrm.ac.uk)
Skills Training
University of Bath
The Doctoral College provides a focal point for professional skills development to equip doctoral researchers for success in their research and chosen career path: Professional development for doctoral students (bath.ac.uk)
Through MyDoctoralDevelopment doctoral researchers can access a wide range of training opportunities, online learning resources and get access to a variety of development opportunities throughout the year. We hope that these will help you to get the most out of your doctoral study and to enhance your future career prospects. Many of these skills are transferable and will enhance your employability both within and outside academia. We align our activities to the Researcher Development Framework (RDF) supporting your learning in the following key areas:
• Knowledge and intellectual abilities
• Personal effectiveness
• Research governance and organisation
• Engagement, influence, and impact
You may find it helpful to watch our Introductory Video to help you navigate around MyDoctoralDevelopment.
Every doctoral researcher has a six-monthly review to check that they are progressing with their research and training. This enables you and your supervisor to identify any potential problems at the earliest opportunity and to help ensure that work is completed to an agreed timescale. Once you are fully registered on the PhD you can find out more on the Doctoral Resource Hub.
University of Bristol
The Bristol Doctoral College (BDC) is dedicated to supporting the personal and professional development of all postgraduate research students, providing a hub of information and resources to help you get the most out of your time at Bristol.
The BDC organises university-wide events such as the Festival of Postgraduate Research and the Three Minute Thesis Competition specifically designed for researchers to develop communication skills, raise awareness of their work, and meet other researchers from across the University.
Alongside the specialist training you will receive in your own faculty, the BDC oversees the University’s central Personal and Professional Development (PPD) programme for postgraduate research students. This includes over 160 interactive workshops, seminars and resources covering everything from ‘Planning and Managing your PhD’ and ‘Writing quality papers’ to ‘Mindfulness workshops’ and ‘Developing a social media strategy’.
The full central PPD programme is available on the BDC website: Bristol Doctoral College | Bristol Doctoral College | University of Bristol
Every postgraduate research student has at least one annual progress monitoring (APM) review a year. This gives you the chance to reflect on your progress and confirm your plans for your next year of postgraduate study. You can find out more here: Annual progress monitoring | Current students | University of Bristol
University of Exeter
The Researcher Development Programme at the University of Exeter is for Doctoral and Early Career researchers, to enhance the professional skills associated with undertaking higher level research projects. The programme is aimed at assisting students to complete their research project on time, and to progress in their chosen career. The Research Development Team can help you through workshops, courses, careers guidance and funding to help you design your own development programmes.
For more information please visit: Researcher development | | University of Exeter
University of Plymouth
The Researcher Development Programme at the University of Plymouth supports postgraduate research students and research staff. The programme offers research specific skills training as well as supporting researchers continuing into diverse careers. Sessions are complimented by diverse and experienced facilitators and involve participants from a mix of disciplines. Sessions are delivered both in class and via webinars.
For more information please visit: Researcher development programme – University of Plymouth.
UWE
At UWE Bristol we are committed to supporting the development of postgraduate researchers throughout their research degree programmes, from admission through to final examination. The nature of undertaking a higher degree by research has changed in recent years; there is now greater emphasis on the development of personal and professional skills as part of a research degree as well as the production of a thesis.
In recognition of the broader range of skills and abilities that need to be developed, UWE postgraduate researchers gain a minimum of 60 credits related to professional and personal development. The Graduate School provides skills development workshops, the module Research in Contemporary Context (RCC) and a residential course that, together with discipline-specific modules students may choose in Faculties, are designed to ensure that all areas of the Researcher Development Framework (RDF), published by Vitae, are addressed. The skills development programme, the RCC module, and the residential course are available across the whole University with the focus on the transferable and/or generic elements to support the subject specific provision within Colleges.
Skills development for postgraduate researchers – Postgraduate research study | UWE Bristol
Bath Spa
The Researcher Development Programme at Bath Spa is informed by the work of Vitae and its Researcher Development Framework (RDF) and provides training, workshops, development opportunities, resources and events to suit the individual needs of the researchers within our community at Bath Spa University.
The programme offers a diverse array of sessions – from publishing, public engagement, resilience, research bidding, impact, communication, project and time management, supervision, or developing yourself or your research. These workshops are led by external specialists and internal practitioners and take place across the university campuses. There are mandatory core training sessions that students are required to attend at each stage of their PhD journey.
Alongside the central programme, we also offer a wide range of opportunities for development including ESR mentoring schemes, the Journeys in Research Series (in which ESR and PhD researchers can apply for funding to lead events for their colleagues), and MA modules in Research Supervision and Researcher Development. Opportunities are also available for students to gain experience as Research Assistants on our seed funded research projects scheme, working alongside academic staff on their research.
Training and Development – Bath Spa University
Bournemouth
The Doctoral College Researcher Development Programme (RDP) is designed to support PGRs’ independent learning and progress, offering the flexibility to enhance research skills and professional development. With the support of their supervisory team, PGRs should identify and document their strengths and training needs and review their development regularly. A training needs analysis template can be found on the Doctoral College Brightspace. In accordance with the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, researchers are expected to engage in a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year. How this is achieved will be individual to each PGR’s needs.
Plymouth Marjon
Doctoral students can access a wide range of training opportunities aligned to the Vitae researcher Development Framework (RDF). Training is offered both online and in person, with sessions offering an opportunity to mix with other postgraduate researchers and academic staff from different disciplines. Regular writing retreats and writing cafes are also offered as well as opportunities to present ongoing research in seminar sessions. The programme of events is available on the PhD Zone.
Every postgraduate research student has an annual review meeting with the PGR coordinator and their supervisory team. This offers an opportunity to reflect on progress and plans as well as consider additional development needs.
Vitae
Vitae, Researcher professional development (vitae.ac.uk) supports the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education and research institutions, by providing resources, advice, information and fora for individual postgraduate researchers and members of research staff:
– a dedicated researchers’ portal with information, news and opportunities
– a programme of national courses and activities
– careers information and advice, including surveys and research
– opportunities to input to national policy developments and initiatives.