Cornerstone research centre study days

Experiences bringing together academics, doctoral researchers and the public to build personal development portfolios

A postgraduate taught student joins us for the #Waytales workshop on the English Riviera

Our research centre study days bring together academics, doctoral researchers and the public to build personal development portfolios.

Usually running from 10am until 3pm, we aim to keep the cost of these days free to everyone, so please plan to bring or buy your own lunch.

A typical study day would be led by a PhD candidate, once they are past their RDC.2 stage, often with their director of studies. Whenever we can, we work out in the field. The workshop approach revolves around data collection and analysis using the methodology from the candidate’s current research practice.

The study days are named courses, with logged hours of study for participants to include in their own PDR or in support of their application to study for a PhD. Cornerstone Heritage research centre issues certificates of completion for our study days for your portfolio and to build your CV.

Doctoral study day: (Re)Counting Steps

Tuesday 3 March 2020, 10am
Elvira's Café, 7 Admiral's Hard, Stonehouse, Plymouth PL1 3RJ

We are launching our 2020 public engagement programme with a doctoral study day at the Royal William Yard, Plymouth. This is your opportunity to take part in field research and gain a certificate for your personal development portfolio.

Plan and dress for walking outdoors for 1.5 hours. Bring something to write with and on and enough to buy a snack.

The event is free. Please register your attendance.

Previous examples of study days

Poldark doctoral study day
After a train ride down to the stunning 3-mile beach of Perranporth, the PhD researcher took us around the bay to where Winston Graham set and wrote his historical drama of Napoleonic Cornwall. In-depth narrative inquiry methods with interviews and discussions filled the day with methodologies we could re-use in our own work.
Place-making and new river tourism
A writing workshop in the river town of Totnes, with inspiring teaching input from academics from Leicester’s New Writing Centre. The outdoor work was to follow a dérive around the edges of the river Dart, capturing sensation and affect for later development back in the Seven Stars study suite. Followed by a train ride back to Plymouth.

#Waytales – Ethnographies of emotion in guided walks
Learn how ethnographers study holidaymaking with a guided walk on the English Riviera. An opportunity to develop research skills in travel writing and interviewing.
Outside the Box
Using writing as urban inquiry we explored the new walking routes that The Box will create when it opens on the edge of the old area of Beaumont in Plymouth. Drawing heavily on the critical activist work of The Jane’s Walk movement, this 'walkshop' was developed by travel writing teacher, Clarisse Feindouno. In May 2020, a new ope or pedestrian alley will complete car-free access between Regent Street and Glanville Street. What shall we name this new ope for Plymouth?

Have an idea for an activity?

If you have completed your RDC.2 stage successfully, and have a methodology that would lend itself to a small group activity with some travel or extra-mural work, then please email Dr Charlie Mansfield.