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Stand-alone Development Event Directory

All of these workshop-style sessions are delivered by experts at Bradford. Most run at least twice per year.

Academic style for researchers

Facilitated by: Dr Tim Green, EAP expert.

Objectives: through a series of interactive activities, participants will be able to recognise what constitutes poor academic written style and sound academic style to improve writing skills for doctoral level.

Participants will become aware of the six main language-related pitfalls to avoid when writing scholarly work, and practise use of the features of correct academic style such as the passive, nominalisation, variation of sentence length and the proper expression of stance (how the writer stands in relation to a theory etc.) 

 

Advanced Literature Searching for Doctoral and Staff Researchers

Facilitated by: Subject Librarian.

Discover how to find information for your research, making the most of both Library and free tools and resources, and by using different search techniques and strategies.

 

Beyond the Interview: Innovative Methods for Data Collection

Trainer: Gemma Jackson

The aim of this session explores different qualitative methods that can be combined with interviews or used instead of interviews. It will also discuss features of interviews in addition to designing questions that researchers can think about for their own studies.

This session will help you to:

  • introduce a range of qualitative methods
  • inspire researchers to think about features of an interview beyond deciding what questions to ask
  • use a current study to explain how qualitative methods can be combined to answer research questions.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A2, A3, & C2.

Bibliometrics: an Introduction

Facilitated by: Subject Librarian.

What are bibliometrics and altmetrics and why should you be interested? Get started with finding and using bibliometrics and altmetrics, including finding and using key author and journal bibliometrics and altmetrics.

 

 

 

Broadening Your Career Horizons

Facilitated by: Career Consultants.

Aim: To introduce participants to career planning strategies, potential career options and to raise awareness of available resources.

  • Career planning tactics.
  • Personal careers options.
  • Routes into academic and non-academic careers.
  • Action planning tactics.
  • Useful sources of information.

 

Costing and Pricing Your Research Grant

Facilitated by: Research & Innovation Services.

Target Audience: Research staff and interested PGR.

This workshop will provide you with all the information you need to cost and price your grant efficiently. From different funders, eligible costs and fEC to overheads and understanding what happens once you receive an award, the Research Support Team and members of the Finance team will talk you through how to get the most out of your grant and the resources available. This workshop will give you an overview of issues to think about when planning your proposal, and provides a great opportunity for talking to all the central team involved in supporting your grant.

 

 

Critical Appraisal for Doctoral and Staff Researchers

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

Critical appraisal evaluates the strength of evidence, the context of the methodology, and the believability and usefulness of the research. Critical appraisal can help you to identify and evaluate better research and write better research papers. This workshop introduces useful concepts and tools to help you appraise the research literature.

 

Critical Thinking and Problem-solving for Doctoral Researchers

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

Have you been told by your supervisor that you need to be more critical? Perhaps you've decided that this is an area you want to develop as you complete your research?

This session will:

  • introduce you to different ways of thinking critically
  • give you the opportunity to apply these to problems
  • allow you to develop your questioning and imaginative skills.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A2, A3 & B3.

 

CVs and Applications for Researchers

Facilitated by: Career Consultants.

Aim: How to produce effective CVs for academic and non-academic roles. Also LinkedIn profile advice.

  • Understand how to produce a targeted academic CV.
  • Learn how to adapt your CV to non-academic job roles.
  • Understand what employers are looking for in CVs.
  • Tips for constructing your LinkedIn profile.

Data Management for Doctoral Researchers

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

Are you collecting primary data for your doctoral project? This introductory session will provide an overview of the key considerations when managing and storing data.

The session will:

  • offer information about Data Management Plans (DMP) when conducting primary research
  • provide tips on how to store and manage data throughout the project
  • stimulate discussion about the practical and ethical aspects of dealing with data responsibly.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A2, B1, B2, B3, C1 & C2.

 

EndNote for Doctoral and Staff Researchers

Facilitated by: Subject Librarians.

Discover EndNote, referencing software which helps you get your citations and references right every time. Join us for an introductory workshop and find out how EndNote enables you to manage your references and add them to your documents in the correct format.

 

Editing and proofreading skills for researchers

Facilitated by: Dr Tim Green, EAP expert.

Objectives: through a series of interactive activities, participants will be able to recognise common errors related to grammar, vocabulary, and paragraph structure in scholarly work, and employ strategies to correct these errors in their own writing. 

 

English for Postgraduates

Facilitated by: EAP Lecturers.

Improve your scholarly reading, writing, listening and speaking through the range of support classes or book personalised support for your academic English development. Classes run Oct-Jan and Feb-Apr each year. One-to-one training is offered all year round.

Weekly schedule and booking information.

Ethical Doctoral Research

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

Providing a broad foundation about the issue of ethics in the sciences and social sciences, the session is ideal for doctoral researchers who are only just beginning to get to grips with understanding ethical responsibilities in research.

The session will:

  • introduce you to the idea of ethical research
  • outline the university's approach to ethics in research
  • offer practical tips and suggestions for work with human subjects at doctoral level.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A2, A3, B3 & C1.

Focus Group Skills for Doctoral Researchers

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

This session will:

  • introduce you to the nature of focus groups and the advantages of the method
  • provide practical advice on how to run a focus group for data collection
  • offer tips and suggestions for successful facilitation.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, B1, B3 & D2.

 

Getting to Grips with Method and Methodology

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

For doctoral researchers this can often be a daunting task, but there are some key ideas and tips that can help you develop a clearer understanding.

This session will:

  • establish the difference between methods and methodology
  • introduce the key tenets of each
  • offer suggestions about how to approach both, practically and in writing.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A3, B2 and B3.

High Performance Computing: Introduction to Linux Command

Target Audience: Active academic researchers and interested PGR.

Facilitated by: Dr Martin Wolstencroft.

  • An ‘almost no knowledge assumed’ course covering Linux and command line basics essential for HPC use.
  • Course duration: 2.5 hours.
  • If you do not already have an HPC login, it will speed things up if you also contact hpc-service@bradford.ac.uk requesting access.

 

High Performance Computing: Guidance for new HPC users

Target Audience: Active academic researchers and interested PGR.

Facilitated by: Dr Martin Wolstencroft.

  • Assuming some Linux command line ability or attendance on the previous course, this course takes you through the setup and running of jobs on the HPC.
  • Course duration: 3.5 hours.

 

Interview Skills for Doctoral Researchers

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

The session will:

  • introduce you to the key underpinning principles of interviewing for data collection
  • outline the essentials of conducting a research interview
  • provide a practical focus with hints and tips on interviewing. 

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, B1, B3 & D2.

 

 

Interview Skills for Your Career

Facilitated by: Career Consultants.

Aim: To consider how to prepare for interviews.

  • Look at interview technique.
  • Practise some typical questions.
  • Explore key resources including the Build My Career resource.

 

 

Keeping Up to Date

A series of small bite-size webinars run by Subject Librarians every summer.

Join us for a half-hour webinar covering a few suggestions for keeping track of current research in your field, including database alerting tools, conference alerts, and social media tips.

Literature Reviewing for Doctoral Researchers 1: Engaging Critically with Texts

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

All doctoral researchers have some literature reviewing to do. Some researchers may even be completing a thesis that is, at its core, a literature review.

This session will:

  • refresh what you may know about reviewing literature from your earlier studies
  • introduce some techniques for engaging with texts
  • give you tips on how to think critically and questioningly about what you read.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A2, A3, B2 & B3.

Literature Reviewing for Doctoral Researchers 2: Making Sense of a Body of Work

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

Once you have mastered how to analyse individual pieces of research, then it's time to begin building a complete picture of all that you've found.

This session will:

  • introduce you to mapping and its importance in understanding a body of research
  • suggest different ways to map that you can try
  • provide tips on how to build a 'big picture' of the research you've read.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A2, A3, B2 & B3.

Open Access in One Bite

A series of small bite-size webinars run by Subject Librarians every summer.

The Open Access publishing landscape is changing fast. Come along to hear the key things you really need to know about Open Access.

Professional Networking Skills for Researchers

Facilitated by: Career Consultants.

Aim: To enable participants to recognise and build their network of contacts, to boost career prospects

  • What networking means and why it is important.
  • How to connect with people online/in person who can help you build your career.
  • Practical action planning.

Qualitative Research: the Basics

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

New to research or need a refresher on the essentials? Many researchers use qualitative approaches to design their study. Find out the basics to get you off to a flying start. This session will:

  • introduce you to or refresh your understanding of qual research
  • cover the basic terms and concepts you'll encounter and have to think about
  • offer tips to further your own development as a qualitative researcher.

Maps to Vitae RDF domains: A1-3, B1, C1, C2.

Raising Your Profile

A series of small bite-size webinars run by Subject Librarians every summer.

A half-hour session with suggestions on getting your research noticed and joining academic conversations.

Research Design for Qualitative Researchers: Key Principles

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

This session will:

  • demystify the meaning of 'research design' in qual research
  • clarify differences in definitions and misconceptions that novice researchers may encounter
  • introduce basic principles for effective study design. 

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A2, A3, B2, C1, C2 & C3.

Presenting Conference Posters, Papers, and Seminars for Doctoral Researchers

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

As a first-time researcher it is essential to take the opportunity to present your work to others but it can sometimes be difficult to know how to get started and what to produce. This session will:

  • explore the differences between common academic presenting formats (seminars, conference papers, and posters)
  • introduce key features of good design for your visual aids
  • provide tips on how to deliver a good impression on the day.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A2, A3, B1, B3, D2 & D3.

Reflexivity: Writing it into a Thesis

Pre-requisite: basic knowledge about reflexivity in qualitative research.

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

Reflexivity appears as a feature of many research designs and approaches, particularly in qualitative work. Whilst this is often theorised, with guidance given about how to be reflexive, less emphasis is placed on one of the most crucial elements of reflexivity: writing it up in a thesis. This session aims to:

  • provide advice on how to begin selecting writings for inclusion in a write-up
  • explore options for incorporating reflexive labour within research reporting
  • share a variety of tips and suggestions from my own work.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2 and D2.

 

Risk Assessments for Doctoral Researchers

Trainer: Gemma Jackson

The aim of this session is to introduce the standard process of risk assessments and apply these principles to doctoral research projects. It also aims to build confidence in doctoral researchers with understanding risks of their own research projects and filling out risk assessments. This session will help you to:

  • understand concepts of hazards, risks, controls and hierarchy of risk control and how to assess risks
  • think of physical, emotional, financial, ethical and reputational risks in research
  • know how to complete the University of Bradford risk assessment template.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A2, A3, & C2.

Self-Assessment for Your Career

Facilitated by: Career Consultants.

Aim: to allow discussion of skills gained from PhD study and other skills in relation to career ideas.

  • Evaluation of the Me Plc exercise and relevance to career planning.
  • Skills gained from PhD and other areas of life.
  • Practical activities to assess motivations and interests etc.
  • Employability skills exercise.
  • Useful resources.

 

Doing your Search for a Systematic Review for Doctoral and Staff Researchers

Pre-requisite: please note that this session is for doctoral researchers and research staff only.

Facilitated by: Subject Librarians.

An introduction to the search strategies and skills needed to set up your systematic search: differences from a traditional literature review, tools to focus your question, database tips, further sources.

 

Teaching Skills

Facilitated by: Learning, Teaching & Quality Enhancement.

There is not a specific training event for developing your teaching skills. Instead, the university provides a version of the national recognition scheme for teaching in higher education with which postgraduates who teach can engage.

 

Theses and Copyright for Doctoral and Staff Researchers

Facilitated by: Subject Librarians.

Will you be including 3rd party-copyrighted materials in your thesis, e.g. images, graphs, long extracts?

  • Have you cleared rights to use these in your thesis?
  • Come and hear more about Copyright and PhD theses at this Library talk.

 

 

 

Transcribing Data for Doctoral Researchers

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

Prior to undertaking doctoral study, many people have already had experience of transcribing data gathered through audio or video recording. When it comes to this advanced level, the amount of data can feel overwhelming. This session is designed to help you to be more effective at transcription. This session will:

  • introduce you to or refresh your understanding and its critical role in data collection and analysis
  • explore different ways of transcribing
  • provide tips to improve how you work.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A3, B1 & B2.

 

Thriving in Your Viva

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

This interactive workshop tackles one of the potentially daunting aspects of completing a doctorate: the oral examination or viva voce. It is part of our Outduction programme of events. This session will:

  • assess your current level of understanding about the oral exam and introduce you to aspects of the viva experience
  • provide advice on how best to prepare for the viva
  • suggest tips and strategies for defending your thesis to examiners.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A3, B1, B2 & D2.

 

Where to Publish

A series of small bite-size webinars run by Subject Librarians every summer.

Find the most appropriate journal for your publication. We will look at criteria, tools and techniques, including the evaluation of journal impact (the advantages and pitfalls of metrics). This session is complemented by Where Not to Publish.

Where Not to Publish

A series of small bite-size webinars run by Subject Librarians every summer.

What is a predatory journal? How to spot predatory journals, and how to avoid them. This session is complemented by Where to Publish.

Winning Grant Funding

Target Audience: Active academic researchers and interested PGR.

Facilitated by: Research & Innovation Services.

This is an intensive workshop of winning grant funding, which will take participants from finding funders and developing ideas through to proposal writing and onto evaluation. The course is aimed at those with a limited track history of gaining research funding.

Writing for Doctoral Research: Crafting Sections, Chapters and the Thesis

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

There are a number of options open when writing up the full thesis and good writers know how to handle large texts effectively in order to make reading easier. This workshop is part of our Outduction programme of activities to prepare for the end of your research degree. This session will:

  • offer advice on organising theses
  • explore chapters and how to break these down clearly
  • provide tips on how to organise material within individual sections.

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A2, A3, B3, & D2.

Writing for Publication

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

This training workshop will introduce doctoral researchers to writing for publication, specifically for journal article writing.

The session will cover:

  • Understanding what constitutes publishable research
  • Evaluating the suitability of journals for submission
  • Tips for getting your manuscript written
  • Choosing and working with academic journals, including choosing a journal, working with a journal, and understanding peer review.

Writing a Research Proposal for Doctoral Researchers

N.B. This is not suitable for those making an initial application for a degree by research. Contact our admissions team if this is what you would like support with.

Facilitated by: Gemma Jackson.

Many researchers have to submit a formalised RP once they have begun their doctoral studies (often for progression purposes). This session covers the necessary basics of how to refine your proposal. This session will:

  • establish key features of a sound proposal
  • offer tips on how to handle the scope and coverage of the RP
  • provide examples of different RPs to show the heterogeneity of proposal writing. 

Maps to Vitae RDF Domains: A1, A2, A3, B2, B3, C1 & C2.