Durham Key Skills Award for Researchers

What is the rationale for doing this?

How does it fit with institutional strategy?

What are the main features of the provision?

What are the aims and expected outcomes?

The University's postgraduate training programme is, in general, not assessed or accredited. This Award provides a means of accreditation of a researcher's skills devleopment. As well as being useful for researchers who need evidence of their skills development, it provides a useful exploration of one method of skills assessment should such assessment every become mandatory. The design of the programme is based upon experience gained in previous key skills development and assessment projects.

Institutional policy is that the postgraduate training programme is not assessed. The Key Skills Award provides a mechanism for researchers who want their skills development assessed.

The Award is assessed by participants producing a reflective portfolio which documents their skills development. Students are supported by a series of workshops where the requirements of the award and the process of skills development is explored. One-to-one sessions are also available if required. The programme has been running for 3 years.

Are there any pre-requisites for engagement, e.g. levels of skill, years of experience, essential pre-activities?

How many participate in each 'activity'?

No.

Typically 20-30 students participate in each workshop, which is the ideal number of participants. The award is open to all research students - about 1000 students.

How do you monitor effectiveness?

Who do you seek feedback from?

Do you have benchmarks?