Research Training: Personal effectiveness

The transfer process (RDC.2/2A)

The aim of the workshop is to prepare students for the process of the transfer (RDC.2/2A). If you are registered as an MPhil/PhD student, the Confirmation of Route process is compulsory. Transfer to PhD status is also possible from ResM, MD and MPhil research degree registrations. The process of transfer requires the production of written reports and any other materials and processes specified by local Research Degree Management Units and, their assessment by experts in the field who are independent of the supervisory team.

Intended learning outcome:
The workshop is designed to explain the process and to assist students in the preparation of the reports.

Facilitator: Dr Stephen Essex and Sarah Kearns
Applicability: Full-time research students who are 9 to 12 months (part-time students: 15 to 21 months) into their programme.

Course dates and times: 

• 21 October 2020, 14030-1630 (UK time) via Zoom
• 17 March 2021, 1000-1200 (UK time) via Zoom
• 30 June 2021, 1000-1200 (UK time) via Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Introduction to creating and developing your career management portfolio

A general understanding of the structure and content of a career management portfolio and how to develop and use it to forward your career.

A career management portfolio supports you in:

• assessing your progress in your career development i.e. identifying your strengths and what you need to develop further and how
  
• identifying career direction
  
• developing the habit of documenting your work for that time in the future when you are job hunting, or maybe trying for that higher position, or even proving that you are a valuable member of the team
  
• evidencing your potential
  
• proving that you are capable of what you say you are
  
• capturing the results of your work
  
• creating a personal database to facilitate the creation of a CV and personal statement
  
• preparing for interviews
  
• confidence development.
  
  

Course dates and times: 

• 20 November 2020, 1330-1530 UK time via Zoom
• 30 April 2021, 1030-1230 UK time via Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Making progress in your research degree - avoiding defeatism and self sabotage

This session is designed to give research students some guidance on avoiding defeatism and self-sabotage so that they can make better progress in their research degree.

This session allows participants to:

• Discuss their working practices and consider how constructive they are.
  
• Learn about the physiological basis of stress and consider typical symptoms.
  
• Consider strategies to deal with stress and negative thinking.
  
• Reflect on the balance of activities in their life.
  
• Discuss how to achieve progress.
  
  

Career planning - for postgraduate research students

This session is designed for postgraduate researchers and beyond in their research degree.

• Issues of career planning and management for academics and more generally.
• Options - within academia and beyond.
• Opening opportunities for yourself.
• Identifying gaps and what you can do to bridge them.

The session will include:

• How do you know what you might want to do? {approaches to career choice}
• What options are out there?
• What do researchers do?
• Jobs outside academia?
• How can you find out more?
• How to make the most of your time here to build your employability.
• Strategic planning - identifying actions you need to take to raise your profile and gain relevant experience.

Facilitator: Katie Finnimore,Careers and Employability Consultant
Applicability: Suitable for most research students

Course date and time: 

• 10 March 2021, 1000–1130 UK time via Zoom

Careers:Application forms and writing tailored CV's

The session will introduce you to a wide range of application forms including an understanding of competency based selection, on line selection and the supporting statement. It will also introduce you to the process of recruitment and selection in the UK and to the different styles of selection help you to identify your marketable skills and understand why some employers prefer an application form. An introduction to different types of application forms, Howto analyse adverts, job descriptions and job specifications to help you improve your applications.

The session will cover:

• A brief outline of the general principles of CV writing
• How to demonstrate your skills and experience to show relevant added value
• What makes an effective CV?
• Why are covering letters used?
• CV’s and networking

Part 1 will focus on academic applications and part 2 on writing CV’s and applications for non academic/alternative job roles. There will be a short break between parts 1 and 2 and those wishing to concentrate solely on academic CV’s may leave after part 1.

Please note: It is recommended that you use the virtual careers adviser materials prior to the session. This is available from the applications section of the careers web page. If you are thinking of anon academic career it is recommended that you also attend general sessions on career planning and application forms in advance of this session.

Facilitator: Katie Finnimore,Careers and Employability Consultant
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course date and time: 

• 18 March 2021, 140-1530 UK time via Zoom

Careers: An introduction to interviews and assessment centres

This session will introduce you to the process and give you an opportunity to explore the types of questions and exercises you might meet in a range of selection activities from academic interviews and competency-based assessment to assessment centre activities. It will cover: how to prepare effectively, what to expect and will provide time to reflect on how you might respond to a range of questions and how you might frame and answer questions. There will also be consideration of communication tools such as body language, listening etc.

The session will give a general understanding of what might be covered in an assessment centre but will not cover this in depth.

Facilitator: Katie Finnimore, Careers and Employability Consultant
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course date and time: 

• 24 March 2021 1400-1530 UK time via Zoom

Careers: interview workshop

The session gives participants the opportunity to observe the interview process in a safe and supportive environment. This session focuses on preparation for and participation in practice interviews, giving participants the opportunity to discuss interview techniques, observe practice interviews and discuss good practice.

Intended learning outcomes:

• Allow participants to observe the interview process from both the interviewer’s and the candidate’s perspectives.
• Discuss interview preparation, questioning and answering techniques and feedback.
• Increase participant’s awareness and experience of the techniques a recruiter may use to gain information from applicants.

Facilitators: Katie Finnimore, Careers and Employability Consultant and Sarah Kearns, Researcher Development Manager
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff

This resource has been adapted by the University of Plymouth for our own non-commercial use. It is based on the original resource, The Interview Workshop developed by Vitae ©The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC)Limited.

Course date and time: 

• 13 May 2021, 1000-1130 UK time via Zoom (rescheduled from 30 March 2021)

Careers:The UK labour market for international students

This session will give you an up to date view of the UK labour market, a general overview of regulations for working in the UK - sources of information and practical tips

Facilitator: Katie Finnimore,Careers and Employability Consultant

Applicability: Suitable for most international research students

Course date and time: 

• 29 April 2021, 1000-1130 UK time via Zoom 

Careers:Strengths and skills in professional development

Do you know that most people struggle to identify what they are good at and to evidence what they say they can do? This workshop will help you to explore your skills and strengths in relation to an academic career but also to think about what you have that other employers might value.

Intended learning outcomes:

• A better understanding of your strengths.
• Identifying key skills, considering your evidence for them and the opportunity to do a little practice at articulating them.
• A more general understanding of professionalism and CPD.

Facilitator: Katie Finnimore,Careers and Employability Consultant

Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff.

Course date and time: 

• 5 May 2021, 1400-1530 UK time via Zoom

‘How to Transition Out of Academia Well’

Workshop with Dr Naomi Tyrrell

In this workshop I will discuss the varied and interesting ways in which you can transition out of academia well (post-PhD). I will help you to focus on the skills you have that are in demand in the ‘altac’ (alternative-to-academic)marketplace. I will highlight strategies for transitioning out of academia well(in relation to both career development and mental health), with a particular focus on networking and developing your ‘brand’.

This workshop is for you if:

·        You’re not sure about your post-PhD career options

·        You have decided you don’t want an academic career but you’re not sure how to transition out of academia well

·        You want to develop a strategy for transitioning out of academia well

·        You want to learn about altac networking

·        You want to learn about ‘selling’ your skills beyond academia

·        You want to learn more about the skills you need for an altac career

·        You want to feel positive about transitioning out of academia

Dr Naomi Tyrrell is a Social Research Consultant and Visiting Research Fellow in SoGEES, University of Plymouth. She has held academic positions in universities in the UK and Ireland, worked for a social research company, is a Research Associate for several companies and CICs, and runs her own research consultancy specialising evaluation and training in the social enterprise sector. She also manages the AltAc Careers UK Group on Facebook (which you are welcome to join), a supportive space for PhDs students and ECRs looking for resources to help them develop successful altac careers in the UK.

• 3 December 2020, 1030-1230 UK time via Zoom
• 9 March 2021, 1030-1230 UK time via Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

The application of persuasion in research

This two-hour interactive session is designed to help research students persuade both within their current research, and also wider life beyond a degree programme. You will identify who you need to persuade in order to achieve your goals. The targets of your persuasion could include employers, funders and those interested in your research. You will be introduced to some key models which may help you change the attitudes and behaviour of others towards you as a researcher. You will look at some scenarios that you might be faced with, and then how you could be effective persuaders in response.

Facilitator: Dr Nigel Jackson
Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff

Course dates and times:

• CANCELLED 18 June 2021, 0900-1100 UK time via Zoom

Bookings and enquiries: researchskills@plymouth.ac.uk

Wellbeing sessions for Researchers: Acupressure for Relaxation

Dr Joanne ‘Bob’ Whalley is a qualified and licensed acupuncturist who often works with medical students. Acupressure is an East Asian bodywork therapy with roots in traditional Chinese medicine, and the workshop will use finger-pressure to press key healing points.

Working with the body’s sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, this session will provide a route into unlocking the potential for real and deep relaxation. We will explore simple techniques for grounding and centring the body, to improve relaxation and sleeping.

Facilitator:  Dr Joanne 'Bob' Whalley

Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff

Course dates and times:

• 12 May 2021, 11:00-12:00 UK time via Zoom
• 26 May 2021, 11:00-12:00 UK time via Zoom

Wellbeing sessions for Researchers: Chair Yoga and Meditation

Dr Lee Miller is a trained yoga teacher with many years’ experience.

Taking a standard dining chair as a starting point, this session will explore a short sequence of movements to improve posture and relieve stress. This will be followed by a simple guided meditation for relaxation and focus.

Dr Lee Miller and Dr Joanne ‘Bob’ Whalley hold the first (and currently only)jointly-authored Practice-as-Research PhD. Alongside their bodywork practices,they work in HE and have developed research training protocols with PGR students across Europe.

Facilitator:  Dr Lee Miller and Dr Joanne 'Bob' Whalley

Applicability: Suitable for most research students and research staff

Course dates and times:

• 20 May 2021, 14:00-15:00 UK time via Zoom
• 02 June 2021, 11:00-12:00 UK time via Zoom