Graduate School of Life Sciences course timetable
February 2016
Tue 16 |
Critical Thinking and Bioethics
Finished
As scientists, your skills of critical thinking are well developed in hypothesis testing, observation and empirical experiment. This workshop will incorporate other modes of logic and reason into your scientific thinking. The focus of discussion will be social and ethical issues in biotechnology. You will develop:
Developing your critical thinking and recognising how human elements impact on scientific enquiry will support you in making more appropriate decisions in the direction of your scientific projects. PLEASE NOTE This course compromises of two compulsory sessions. In the first session you will learn the skills and in the second you will apply them. There is also an optional follow-up session where you can meet with members of your group to discuss how you have applied the skills in your research. Trainer: Caroline Broad is a Philosophy graduate, with seven years experience working in the bio science industry and 15 years delivering skills development workshops. |
Fri 26 |
Innovation: A commercial perspective
Finished
There is growing expectation for business acumen in academics. This workshop provides you with insight and skills to work more effectively with industry. The aim is to develop project management skills in the context of industry academia collaborations (IAC). In this workshop we explore a formal project development process from idea inception through to project implementation. You will practice project management tools and techniques and discuss cognitive and behavioural skills needed to implement them. We will discuss current UK industry, government (BIS) and research council expectations of IAC and the existing funding opportunities. The skills learned will support your effective interactions and well-managed projects with industry. Trainer: Caroline Broad is a Philosophy graduate, with seven years experience working in the bio science industry and 15 years delivering skills development workshops. |
Mon 29 |
Research Data Management
Finished
Come over to our introductory workshop to research data management and learn how not to get lost in our own research data (and how not to lose your data!). The workshop will cover the following aspects of research data management: • Data storage and backup; • Data organisation; • Strategies for file exchange with collaborators; • Sharing research data; • How to create data management plans. The workshop is open to all students and postdocs, and refreshments will be provided. About the trainer: The course trainer is managing the Research Data Services in Cambridge (http://www.data.cam.ac.uk/open-data-team) and was a PhD student in life sciences at the Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge. |
March 2016
Fri 18 |
Managing Professional Relationships
Finished
There are some key working relationships that require development and management throughout the course of a Ph.D. If this is discussed and understood at the earliest opportunity students can be proactive in managing such relationships, enhance transferable skills and have a better research experience. |
Tue 22 |
This workshop, led by Understanding Animal Research, outlines the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research and provides advice and practical information on how best to talk about the use of animals in your research. |
April 2016
Fri 8 |
This day-long training course consists of a mixture of taught and interactive practical elements intended to show participants how to get the best out of Twitter for research purposes. Please note that this course requires you to have an existing working knowledge of Twitter. In order to apply you must fill in an application form available at the following address https://cambridge.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/come-fly-with-me-application-form |
Tue 12 |
Research Data Management
Finished
Come over to our introductory workshop to research data management and learn how not to get lost in our own research data (and how not to lose your data!). The workshop will cover the following aspects of research data management: • Data storage and backup; • Data organisation; • Strategies for file exchange with collaborators; • Sharing research data; • How to create data management plans. The workshop is open to all students and postdocs, and refreshments will be provided. About the trainer: The course trainer is managing the Research Data Services in Cambridge (http://www.data.cam.ac.uk/open-data-team) and was a PhD student in life sciences at the Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge. |
Fri 22 |
Shooting Your Research Video
Finished
Why is YouTube popular? Because people love watching videos. A research video can be a great way to get your message across to your collaborators, your friends, and the wider world as well as being a condition of some funding bodies. But it isn't easy to do well - and this is where this course will make a difference. Come along and learn the skills needed to plan and shoot high quality footage for research videos so that your video can stand out from the crowd. You just need yourself, a camera phone and your enthusiasm! |
Tue 26 |
Critical Thinking and Bioethics
Finished
As scientists, your skills of critical thinking are well developed in hypothesis testing, observation and empirical experiment. This workshop will incorporate other modes of logic and reason into your scientific thinking. The focus of discussion will be social and ethical issues in biotechnology. You will develop:
Developing your critical thinking and recognising how human elements impact on scientific enquiry will support you in making more appropriate decisions in the direction of your scientific projects. PLEASE NOTE This course compromises of two compulsory sessions. In the first session you will learn the skills and in the second you will apply them. There is also an optional follow-up session where you can meet with members of your group to discuss how you have applied the skills in your research. Trainer: Caroline Broad is a Philosophy graduate, with seven years experience working in the bio science industry and 15 years delivering skills development workshops. |
May 2016
Tue 10 |
This workshop, led by Understanding Animal Research, outlines the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research and provides advice and practical information on how best to talk about the use of animals in your research. |
Wed 11 |
Research Data Management
Finished
Come over to our introductory workshop to research data management and learn how not to get lost in our own research data (and how not to lose your data!). The workshop will cover the following aspects of research data management: • Data storage and backup; • Data organisation; • Strategies for file exchange with collaborators; • Sharing research data; • How to create data management plans. The workshop is open to all students and postdocs, and refreshments will be provided. About the trainer: The course trainer is managing the Research Data Services in Cambridge (http://www.data.cam.ac.uk/open-data-team) and was a PhD student in life sciences at the Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge. |
Thu 19 |
The course takes an evidence-based approach to writing. Participants will learn that publishing is a game and the more they understand the rules of the game the higher their chances of becoming publishing authors. They will learn that writing an academic article and getting it published may help with their careers but it does not make them better researchers, or cleverer than they were before their paper was accepted; it simply means they have played the game well. Suitable for GSLS postgraduates in any discipline who are keen to learn how to write academic papers and articles efficiently as well as more established researchers who have had papers rejected and are not really sure why. If you want a better chance of your name on a paper, this is for you! Trainer Olivia Timbs is an award-winning editor and journalist with over 30 years' experience gained from working on national newspapers and for a range of specialist health and medical journals. |
Thu 26 |
A good poster’s worth 1000 words… but a bad poster’s just a bit of messy paper. When it’s time for you to present your scientific poster how are you going to make the most of the opportunity? We’ll think about why we use posters to present our research, what makes the difference between a good and bad poster and some useful tips to help you present your data in style. |
June 2016
Thu 16 |
Broadcasting Your Research
Finished
How do you make your research palatable to the press? Do you stumble and fumble when in front of a camera? Are you protective about your research, wary of handing over all your hard work to a journalist? Join Dr Eliza Filby, founder of GradTrain and lecturer at King's College London for this one-day media training course especially designed for researchers interested in engaging with the media at all levels. |
Wed 29 |
During this one hour presentation I will introduce you to the challenging and diverse topic of regulatory affairs in the pharmaceutical industry and cover some of the aspects we are faced with day to day in the country role. In particular we will look at some of the issues faced with fraudulent and counterfeit medicines and when looking at promotional affairs and product claim development, as these are the two topics for a potential project with Gilead. About Gilead Sciences Gilead is one of the world's most successful biotech companies with a current market capitalisation of over $150 billion, Gilead Sciences Inc. (www.gilead.com) is a leading research-based biopharmaceutical company which discovers, develops and commercialises innovative medicines in life-threatening diseases. Gilead's primary areas of focus include HIV/AIDS, liver diseases, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, inflammation and oncology About Alan Collins Alan has 18 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry and is a Director of Regulatory Affairs at Gilead Sciences. Alan's experience covers the many diverse areas of regulatory affairs, plus pricing and reimbursement, medical affairs, business conduct and auditing - he has never had two working days the same and enjoys the variety and challenge of his role. |
July 2016
Fri 15 |
A one day master class in communication from an external trainer who has previously been employed as a hostage negotiator and detective in the Metropolitan Police Force. Participants will gain a practical insight into how professional communicators communicate, and how it can be applied in everyday life. At the end of the session participants will:
Topics:
Please note that due to the popularity of this course any cancellations must be received by 10th July. Cancellation after this date, non-attendance or failure to attend for the full day will incur a cancellation fee of £50 and blocking from further attendance. Only book if you know you can come! |
Tue 26 |
Developing Effective Teams
Finished
What is required to develop efficient and productive working relationships? In this workshop we explore research that provides insight into individuals’ different working styles and how to exploit individual strengths to create an effective team. We explore the research of Meredith Belbin and his team role theory using practical exercises to confirm your team role strengths.
Trainer: Caroline Broad is a Philosophy graduate, with seven years experience working in the bio science industry and 15 years delivering skills development workshops. |
September 2016
Wed 14 |
Research Data Management
Finished
Come over to our introductory workshop to research data management and learn how not to get lost in our own research data (and how not to lose your data!). The workshop will cover the following aspects of research data management: • Data storage and backup; • Data organisation; • Strategies for file exchange with collaborators; • Sharing research data; • How to create data management plans. The workshop is open to all students and postdocs, and refreshments will be provided. About the trainer: The course trainer is managing the Research Data Services in Cambridge (http://www.data.cam.ac.uk/open-data-team) and was a PhD student in life sciences at the Gurdon Institute at the University of Cambridge. |
Tue 27 |
This day workshop will help you publish your research paper in the most effective way, so that many people will read, cite and build on it, thus progressing your career. The course is for PhD students and postdocs at any stage, whether or not you have already written or published a paper. It focuses on how to write your research paper, how to navigate the peer review process and how to choose a journal for it. Trainer Anna Sharman PhD is an experienced researcher trainer who has been an in-house biology journal editor and scientific publishing consultant. She can give insider insights into how to write and publish scientific journal papers most effectively. Cancellation and Non-attendance Policy Due to high demand the GSLS will not accept cancellations within 48 hours of the start of the course. Cancellations must be registered by 10am on Sunday 25th September. Any cancellations after this point will be treated as non-attendance. Non-attendance on this course will result in you being invoiced for £50 to cover expenses. By booking on this course you are accepting these terms. |
November 2016
Wed 2 |
This workshop, led by Understanding Animal Research, provides advice and practical information on how best to talk about the use of animals in your research in line with the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research. This course will be held in L2, The Gurdon Institute http://www.gurdon.cam.ac.uk/about/travel |
Mon 7 |
Your Research Story
Finished
Turn your research into a story that both excites and enthuses your audience. Explore how your research ideas can be translated and discussed in the public domain, using storytelling as one tool for organising a structured research narrative. Develop a summary of your research for different audiences including general public, policymakers and journalists. |
Thu 10 |
The course takes an evidence-based approach to writing. Participants will learn that publishing is a game and the more they understand the rules of the game the higher their chances of becoming publishing authors. They will learn that writing an academic article and getting it published may help with their careers but it does not make them better researchers, or cleverer than they were before their paper was accepted; it simply means they have played the game well. Suitable for GSLS postgraduates in any discipline who are keen to learn how to write academic papers and articles efficiently as well as more established researchers who have had papers rejected and are not really sure why. If you want a better chance of your name on a paper, this is for you! Trainer Olivia Timbs is an award-winning editor and journalist with over 30 years' experience gained from working on national newspapers and for a range of specialist health and medical journals. Cancellation and Non-attendance Policy Due to high demand we cannot accept cancellations for this course within 48 hours prior to the event. Any cancellations made after 9:30am on 8th November will be considered as a non-attendance. Participants who do not attend on the day will be subject to a £50 fee. By booking a place on the course you accept these terms. |
Fri 18 |
The course will look at the purpose of a presentation and how to choose an effective medium to get a research message across to a public audience. The half-day workshop is highly interactive, giving all participants in this small group (max. 8 people) the opportunity to develop, practice and present their own short piece. |
Mon 21 |
Shooting Your Research Video
Finished
Why is YouTube popular? Because people love watching videos. A research video can be a great way to get your message across to your collaborators, your friends, and the wider world as well as being a condition of some funding bodies. But it isn't easy to do well - and this is where this course will make a difference. Come along and learn the skills needed to plan and shoot high quality footage for research videos so that your video can stand out from the crowd. You just need yourself, a camera phone and your enthusiasm! |
One session - four medicine and life science databases - widest coverage for your literature search. PubMed is great, but it doesn't cover all the journals relevant to life sciences and medicine. Embase, Web of Science and Scopus can also be relevant and each covers unique material. Come to this hands-on session to learn how to get the best from each of these "4 tops". Participants will need to bring their own laptop or tablet and be able to connect to Eduroam (http://www.ucs.cam.ac.uk/wireless/eduroam/localusers) Location is 17 Mill Lane (http://www.training.cam.ac.uk/venue/1795736) - please check instructions on how to find the venue. |