Induction for new postgraduate researchers

Induction is a crucial milestone in the research degree journey and is designed to help you settle in the world of research. We want to support you from your first day at Bradford with crucial information, resources and knowledge so you can hit the ground running with confidence.

PGRs have given positive feedback on the induction programme and we strongly recommend you engage with all the sessions. 

“I found it ultimately inspiring and felt much more sure about my immediate goals afterwards”

“It’s a great opportunity to meet other PGRs and build connections”

“The sessions are interactive, enjoyable, and the large amount of information delivered was the accessible and manageable.”

Attending induction means you are more likely to succeed in your degree. Our induction events for Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) are designed to:

• ensure that you are well prepared for your research
• familiarise you with doctoral-level study
• begin your skills development that will support you and your project
• help you meet other researchers within your research area and across the University.

For those undertaking a PhD, induction week also prepares you for your first progression milestone, which takes place at 3 months (full-time) or 6 months (part-time) 

Every induction session is mandatory for all new PGRs. There is no need to book, you simply turn up at the venue at the time shown.

If you are unable to attend, you must inform the university with an explanation by emailing Doctoral College colleagues via the following contacts:

• Doctoral College Admin for the Research Institute for Digital and Sustainable Futures: dc-idsf-pgr@bradford.ac.uk
• Doctoral College Admin for the Research Institute for Health and Social Care: dc-ihsc-pgr@bradford.ac.uk 
• Research Culture Team: research-culture@bradford.ac.uk 

Outlook Calendar invites will be sent to both your personal and Bradford account, please accept these so you can get reminders of the sessions. Please contact us with any questions about Induction. 

You can find more useful information on our Doctoral College SharePoint site (login required).

Please note, if for any reason you are unable to attend your induction week, you will be expected to attend the next available session(s). Inductions run three times per year, in February, June and October. The dates for the 2026 inductions will run as follows:

• 2 February 2026 – 6 February 2026
• 1 June 2026 – 5 June 2026
• 5 October 2026 – 9 October 2026

February 2026 Induction 

Induction events will run in person on the University of Bradford campus from Monday 2 February to Friday 6 February 2026. In person enrolment will be available from 2 February for you to collect your student card from MyBradford in the Richmond Building Atrium. 

Select the session titles in the timetable below for more information on what each session will cover. 

Date	Time	Session	Room
Monday 2 February	10:00 – 10:30	Welcome to Bradford: Introduction from your Doctoral College	Richmond Building, Workshop Block 24
Monday 2 February	10:30 – 11:00	PGR Expectations and Responsibilities: Things you need to know	Richmond Building, Workshop Block 24
Monday 2 February	11:15 – 13:15	How to successfully complete your research degree	Richmond Building, Workshop Block 24
Monday 2 February	14:15 – 16:00	Welcome to your Research Institute and an introduction to Health & Safety	Richmond Building, room D52 (Small Hall)
Monday 2 February	16:00 – 16:30	Campus tour	n/a
Tuesday 3 February	10:00 – 11:30	Introduction to your University of Bradford support services	JB Priestley Library, room 01.53 (IT Suite)
Tuesday 3 February	11:30 – 12:30	Cross-institute networking session	Richmond Building, room H33
Tuesday 3 February	13:30 – 16:30	How to manage your supervisors	Richmond Building, room N3
Wednesday 4 February	10:00 – 12:00	Essential skills for PG researchers	Chesham Building, room B4.01
Wednesday 4 February	13:00 – 14:00	Getting the most out of University of Bradford IT systems	JB Priestley Library, room 01.53 (IT Suite)
Wednesday 4 February	14:15 – 15:30	How to find literature and make the most of library resources	JB Priestley Library, room 01.53 (IT Suite)
Thursday 5 February	10:00 – 12:00	Research goals and methods	Richmond Building, room C7
Thursday 5 February	14:00 – 16:00	How to plan your research project	Richmond Building, room C7
Friday 6 February	10:00 - 12:00	Ethical research at Bradford	Richmond Building, room C7
Friday 6 February	14:00 - 16:00	Risks in your research and assessing them	Richmond Building, room C7

 

Nonattendance at induction

Completion of induction is a requirement in the regulations. For this reason, attendance registers are taken and reported to Research Institutes. If you are unable to attend, then you must inform the university with an explanation by emailing the Research Culture  team research-culture@bradford.ac.uk and your respective Institute administrators dc-ihsc-pgr@bradford.ac.uk / dc-idsf-pgr@bradford.ac.uk  

Once you enrol, you must then discuss and agree a recovery plan with your supervisors. Resources to help you do this are available on the Doctoral College SharePoint site (login required).