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Researcher Development Programme (RDP) course timetable

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Thu 21 May 2015 – Tue 7 Jul 2015

May 2015

Thu 21	Writing Your First Year Report (Engineering) Finished 10:30 - 13:00 Department of Engineering, Lecture Room 3B It’s that time of year, the report is looming on the horizon and the reality of writing is here! Aimed at 1st year PhD students this course is designed to get you thinking and working effectively on your end of first year report/CPGS. How do you start? What’s expected? How do you make it work for you? These and many other important questions, hints and tips will be addressed in this half day session.
	Making Contact and Making Your Contacts Work For You Finished 15:00 - 17:00 Department of Engineering, Lecture Room 4 Networking is a word that fills many researchers with dread, evoking unpleasant images of oily self-promoters or painfully stilted small-talk. But there is a vital link between who knows you, whom you know, and being successful. There is even evidence that somewhere between 70 and 90 per cent of jobs go to candidates who are in some way known to their employer prior to the recruitment process. Networking or, simply, making contact with other people is not just for the garrulous or the extrovert; it is a powerful skill that anyone can learn and practise. This bite-size workshop is designed to help unpick some of our assumptions about what’s involved in networking, to learn some simple strategies for doing it, and to try some of these out.
Fri 22	MBTI: Understanding Personality in a Research Environment Finished 10:00 - 16:00 CCTL, Revans Room The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is the most widely used personality instrument worldwide, based on over 50 years’ research and development. It presents a framework for understanding how you operate, how others operate, and how you can use that understanding to get more from yourself and the relationships you have with others. This workshop is led by a qualified MBTI practitioner and will involve taking the MBTI questionnaire, and self-assessment with group exercises so that participants: Understand the concept and theories behind the MBTI types and the process to obtain a personal profile Use the self-assessed and reported types to determine their best fit MBTI type (or as close as possible) Can use their MBTI knowledge in activities relating to real world applications such as communication and understanding differences Topics: MBTI questionnaire MBTI history, background, and theory of type Self-assessment through the exploration of the four areas of MBTI Questionnaire scoring Finding best fit and exploring own type Ethics of MBTI Applications of MBTI MBTI dynamics Exploration of mental functions Q & A
Wed 27	Skills Analysis One-to-One (Physical Sciences & Technology) Finished 10:00 - 10:30 PPD, Second Floor Meeting Room What are transferable skills, why are they important and how do you know which ones to develop? This course gives you the chance to find out the answer to all these questions and more. It is also your chance to have input into the types of training you would like to spend your time on and speak to the people who could help develop them.
	Skills Analysis One-to-One (Physical Sciences & Technology) Finished 10:30 - 11:00 PPD, Second Floor Meeting Room What are transferable skills, why are they important and how do you know which ones to develop? This course gives you the chance to find out the answer to all these questions and more. It is also your chance to have input into the types of training you would like to spend your time on and speak to the people who could help develop them.
	Skills Analysis One-to-One (Physical Sciences & Technology) Finished 11:00 - 11:30 PPD, Second Floor Meeting Room What are transferable skills, why are they important and how do you know which ones to develop? This course gives you the chance to find out the answer to all these questions and more. It is also your chance to have input into the types of training you would like to spend your time on and speak to the people who could help develop them.
	Skills Analysis One-to-One (Physical Sciences & Technology) Finished 11:30 - 12:00 PPD, Second Floor Meeting Room What are transferable skills, why are they important and how do you know which ones to develop? This course gives you the chance to find out the answer to all these questions and more. It is also your chance to have input into the types of training you would like to spend your time on and speak to the people who could help develop them.
Thu 28	Presentation Skills: (Sciences & Technology) Finished 10:00 - 16:00 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Seminar Room Whether you’re new to presenting, looking to speak at your first conference, or wanting important tips to finesse your delivery, this is the course for you. The course is in two parts: Once you book on the course you will receive the pre-workshop information on how to prepare an effective presentation. Before attending a face-to-face session you will have to prepare a 5 minute presentation. You will deliver your presentation to the rest of the participants and receive feedback.

June 2015

Tue 2	Being Assertive: Making Yourself Heard Finished 14:30 - 16:30 CCTL, Revans Room Building and maintaining a professional reputation is an essential skill for researchers at any stage of their careers. This course will help researchers to develop assertive communication strategies to enhance their professionalism through everyday interactions with others. By the end of the course, you will: Understand the benefits of being assertive Know what assertiveness looks and sounds like Enhance your skills in communicating assertively Topics covered: how to develop an assertive mind-set the difference between assertive, aggressive, indirectly aggressive and passive thinking and behaviour guidance on how to use assertive language in day-to-day conversation identifying your rights and responsibilities
Wed 3	How to Peer-Review Research Papers for Postdocs/Research Staff (Sciences) Finished 10:00 - 12:30 Department of Chemistry, Todd Hamied Room This course will help you to review research manuscripts more quickly and effectively. By learning how to review research manuscripts for journals you will: gain a core skill that every STEMM researcher should have free up more time for your own research develop a better understanding of how to write your own manuscripts Topics covered: how the peer-review system works about your responsibilities as reviewers what editors expect in a review how to critically evaluate a research manuscript what to include in written comments to editors and authors how long you should spend reviewing a manuscript practical methods for reviewing a manuscript quickly.
Thu 4	Emerging Research Leaders' Development Programme (ERLDP) (2 of 4) Finished 09:30 - 17:00 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Eastwood Room THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ERLDP 2015 HAS NOW CLOSED To register your interest in the 2016 programme please email Researcher Development. We will contact you at a later date with more information on the programme The Emerging Research Leaders' Development Programme (ERLDP) has been designed for you as a postdoctoral researcher/member of research staff aspiring to achieve research independence in order to lead your own research group and/or to become research leaders in your field through a variety of career pathways including academia. It is a unique opportunity for you to develop and reflect upon your personal leadership style in the context of those who you lead in either an official or unofficial capacity. We will provide tailored training workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions so you can develop solutions relating to your current situation and your future needs. Attending participants will also be introduced to online resources and a masterclass on the first day of the programme. Workshop 1 (full day): Introduction to the programme; the importance of self-leadership; the strategic academic (masterclass) Workshop 2 (full day): Leading others collaboratively Workshop 3 (half day): A strategic approach to career management End of Programme Presentation and Networking Event (two hours): You will reflect upon your learnings' from being a participant on the programme and receive your programme completion certificate.
Fri 5	Presentation Skills: With One-to-One Feedback (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences) (1 of 2) Finished 09:30 - 12:30 CCTL, Revans Room Whether you’re new to presenting and looking to speak at your first conference, wanting important tips to finesse your delivery, or presenting to a wider audience, the overall aim of this course is to help you be a more effective presenter. Amongst the topics covered, participants will learn: How to structure the introduction of the presentation using the A-B-C-D model How to create a presentation appropriate for the audience How to handle nerves, both in the run-up to the presentation and on the day
	Presentation Skills: With One-to-One Feedback (Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences) (2 of 2) Finished 12:30 - 17:00 PPD, Second Floor Meeting Room Whether you’re new to presenting and looking to speak at your first conference, wanting important tips to finesse your delivery, or presenting to a wider audience, the overall aim of this course is to help you be a more effective presenter. Amongst the topics covered, participants will learn: How to structure the introduction of the presentation using the A-B-C-D model How to create a presentation appropriate for the audience How to handle nerves, both in the run-up to the presentation and on the day
Mon 8	Broadening Horizons: career management for researchers Finished 09:30 - 17:00 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Eastwood Room Thinking and managing your career and future post-PhD can be a daunting. The purpose of this interactive, 1-day course is to help you start thinking about your post-PhD career, through two questions: 1) where are you now and where do you want to be? 2) How will you get there? In the process of exploring these two questions, the course seeks to challenge some of your career assumptions; help you define what ‘career’ means to you; help you think about what’s important in a job – and life!; widen your horizons; recognise that compromise is often required; plan for the future.
Tue 9	Collaborative Researcher (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) (1 of 2) Finished 09:30 - 17:00 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Eastwood Room Times are changing. Collaboration for Arts, Humanities and Social Science PhDs is more than the icing on the research cake: it now lies at the heart of the research paradigm for the 21st Century. The AHRC, for example, is increasingly funding collaborative and interdisciplinary research. More and more, projects will not solely operate under the traditional model of a single researcher, but draw upon a range of partners from disciplines, institutions and sectors required to answer bigger and more far-reaching questions. To build a successful research career within or outside the academy, you will need to connect with – and impress! – a broad network of professional colleagues. Employers value, perhaps above all, communication and interpersonal skills. This is your opportunity to develop these skills. What will the course cover? This 2-day course will explore the building blocks of the collaborative style of research: Inclusive communication, Cultural awareness, Robust planning, Negotiation and the ability to work effectively with others. Whether your collaboration is with another academic in your department, or partners from different subjects, sectors and countries, it will help you to develop winning strategies for connecting and working with others. The course will be attended by up to 40 PhDs and will be led by a team of experienced facilitators who will work with you throughout the 2 days to support your learning. This event takes a ‘learning by doing' approach. There will be presentations on collaboration theory, but for the most part, you will be actively participating in the sessions and activities.
Wed 10	Collaborative Researcher (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences) (2 of 2) Finished 09:30 - 17:00 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Eastwood Room Times are changing. Collaboration for Arts, Humanities and Social Science PhDs is more than the icing on the research cake: it now lies at the heart of the research paradigm for the 21st Century. The AHRC, for example, is increasingly funding collaborative and interdisciplinary research. More and more, projects will not solely operate under the traditional model of a single researcher, but draw upon a range of partners from disciplines, institutions and sectors required to answer bigger and more far-reaching questions. To build a successful research career within or outside the academy, you will need to connect with – and impress! – a broad network of professional colleagues. Employers value, perhaps above all, communication and interpersonal skills. This is your opportunity to develop these skills. What will the course cover? This 2-day course will explore the building blocks of the collaborative style of research: Inclusive communication, Cultural awareness, Robust planning, Negotiation and the ability to work effectively with others. Whether your collaboration is with another academic in your department, or partners from different subjects, sectors and countries, it will help you to develop winning strategies for connecting and working with others. The course will be attended by up to 40 PhDs and will be led by a team of experienced facilitators who will work with you throughout the 2 days to support your learning. This event takes a ‘learning by doing' approach. There will be presentations on collaboration theory, but for the most part, you will be actively participating in the sessions and activities.
Fri 12	Effective Communication: Non-verbal Communication Finished 10:00 - 13:00 CCTL, Revans Room The overall aim of this course is to help you become aware of yours and others’ non-verbal communication, and as a result, be able to identify and use ‘body language’ effectively. To achieve this aim, in this interactive half-day session, participants will develop their understanding of proxemics, rapport to enhance relationships, body positioning to be credible and approachable, and visual aids.
Tue 16	Making the Most of Meetings Finished 10:30 - 13:30 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Eastwood Room Meetings can be very important and they can also be very frustrating. This workshop is aimed at everyone who attends meetings and feels a need to make them more effective. The workshop includes presentation and discussion but is largely made up of group exercises, most in the form of meetings, revealing the main learning points. Topics covered include: Meetings as a personal development platform Understanding and practising the meeting process Techniques for coming to an objective decision Dealing with different personality types The role of the Chairman
Mon 22	Being Assertive: Making Yourself Heard Finished 14:00 - 16:00 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Eastwood Room Building and maintaining a professional reputation is an essential skill for researchers at any stage of their careers. This course will help researchers to develop assertive communication strategies to enhance their professionalism through everyday interactions with others. By the end of the course, you will: Understand the benefits of being assertive Know what assertiveness looks and sounds like Enhance your skills in communicating assertively Topics covered: how to develop an assertive mind-set the difference between assertive, aggressive, indirectly aggressive and passive thinking and behaviour guidance on how to use assertive language in day-to-day conversation identifying your rights and responsibilities
Wed 24	The Art of Negotiation and Influence Finished 09:00 - 17:00 Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Meeting Room 4, AL.08 A one day master class in communication from two external trainers who have previously been employed as hostage negotiators and detectives 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: Know how to persuade and influence effectively Understand how to have greater impact when communicating Have practiced the fundamental tools of professional communicators Topics: Levels of communication Trust Stages of active listening Non-judgemental language Achieving win/win Building rapport Dos and don’ts
Thu 25	Effective Research Presentations Workshop (Postdocs/Research Staff) CANCELLED 10:00 - 16:00 CCTL, Revans Room Presenting your research to a range of different audiences is a critical skill for postdocs and research staff at any stage of their career. The principal aim of this workshop is to help you be a more effective presenter in order to engage with your audience. By the end of this course, you will: Have had the chance to watch a video of yourself presenting Receive feedback from the course tutor and your peers on your presentation style Have had the ‘real time’ opportunity to use the feedback to improve your presentation style Topics covered: How to put together a good presentation How to handle fear and anxiety about public speaking How to stand out from the crowd to be remembered Understanding your audience and how to engage with them

July 2015

Wed 1	Finishing Up and Moving On: FUMO (Engineering) Finished 09:30 - 17:30 Peterhouse, Upper Hall Why this course might make a difference: This course is designed to equip participants with skills to finish their PhD successfully and move on to the next stage of their careers. By the end of this course you will know: What are the PhD submission requirements and when the deadlines are How to be a (better) leader How to prepare and what to expect from your Viva How to do decide what to do next Topics covered: PhD submission process Leadership: Skills and qualities of leaders Viva: What to expect and how to prepare Careers: How to do decide what to do, different career options
Fri 3	Introduction to Research Integrity at Cambridge Finished 13:00 - 15:00 17 Mill Lane, Seminar Room E This course will be delivered by the University’s Research Governance and Integrity Officer and will introduce researchers to research integrity and ethics at Cambridge. The course will: explore the issue of research misconduct in academia and facilitate discussion of why and how it occurs explain the recent research integrity agenda and examine how this effects researchers discuss some of the challenges to the integrity of research and ask what individuals, groups and institutions can do to tackle them introduce the University’s research ethics system use case studies and discussion exercises to examine key issues
Mon 6	Emerging Research Leaders' Development Programme (ERLDP) (3 of 4) Finished 13:30 - 17:00 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Eastwood Room THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ERLDP 2015 HAS NOW CLOSED To register your interest in the 2016 programme please email Researcher Development. We will contact you at a later date with more information on the programme The Emerging Research Leaders' Development Programme (ERLDP) has been designed for you as a postdoctoral researcher/member of research staff aspiring to achieve research independence in order to lead your own research group and/or to become research leaders in your field through a variety of career pathways including academia. It is a unique opportunity for you to develop and reflect upon your personal leadership style in the context of those who you lead in either an official or unofficial capacity. We will provide tailored training workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions so you can develop solutions relating to your current situation and your future needs. Attending participants will also be introduced to online resources and a masterclass on the first day of the programme. Workshop 1 (full day): Introduction to the programme; the importance of self-leadership; the strategic academic (masterclass) Workshop 2 (full day): Leading others collaboratively Workshop 3 (half day): A strategic approach to career management End of Programme Presentation and Networking Event (two hours): You will reflect upon your learnings' from being a participant on the programme and receive your programme completion certificate.
Tue 7	How to Prepare a Grant or Fellowship Application with Impact (Sciences and Technology) Finished 10:00 - 12:00 16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Seminar Room This course will help you learn how to write a successful research grant or fellowship application. At the end of this course you will: Understand how research is funded, including the dual funding system for research and the background to the impact agenda Know tips and strategies to help you to get your current & future projects funded Understand how proposals are assessed by funders Gain experience of reviewing funding applications Gain information about translational research funding and support available to post-docs