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Using the Skills Training Programme courses, the Medical Sciences Division seeks to equip Graduate Research Students and Research Staff members with a comprehensive set of skills ensuring each researcher realises his/her maximum potential and thereby lay the foundations for a successful career in the sciences.

InfoPlus is an online resource for postgraduate students and researchers. It supports the use of Library resources by highlighting the range of services that the Library offers via a blend of e-learning tutorials and videos.

This event is arranged and delivered by DPhil students from the Medical Sciences Divison as part of the Medical Sciences Skills Training Programme. DPhil students are invited to register for event and if they wish to present submit an abstract. Twelve students are then selected to present at the event. Students are also invited to submit posters and prizes are given for the best talks and posters. The event concludes with a keynote speech followed by a drinks and capnapes reception. The event is partially funded by the Divisional Skills Training Programme and support from sponsors secured by the students organising the event. Sponsors of the event are invited to attend and exhibit at the event. http://www.medsci.ox.ac.uk/dphilday

At Southampton a coordinated program of training is offered to help with the whole process of developing a thesis, which can be broadly summarized as: • The initial stage where information is managed and coaxed into a viable structure. • The “writing up”stage, where references are managed and challenging intellectual property aspects are tackled. • The final stage where the thesis is submitted electronically. This training is aimed at both PGRs and their supervisors.

In addition to a programme of inductions, traditional information skills classes and one-to-one sessions throughout the year, the History Librarian organises three learning events in the course of the academic year: Information Fair for Graduates and the Thesis Fair are opportunities for students to explore and discover in their own time and amongst 20+ stalls what primary sources (archives, books, databases) and useful IT tools are available to them and to connect with the relevant local experts and with other students. An experienced graduate contributes by presenting the Top Tips of a Survivor. The events are embedded in the academic curriculum and are followed up with specific information skills sessions relating to aspects of locating material, organising references and using databases effectively. Canapés with Clio (CwithC) invites academics to attend brief talks on various aspects of electronic resources followed by a sponsored buffet lunch. It is a chance for library staff to meet academics, update each other of projects and ask questions.

The course is undertaken online over a two month period. Following an orientation week, the content is split into 5 different topics.

In one intensive three-hour session gives participants a general understanding of the media, including how journalists work, how to get coverage, how to prepare for interviews, and how to manage expectations. This is followed by individual coaching and mentoring in interview techniques, during which the participant is interviewed twice with video playback and analysis afterwards.

As part of our Skill's Development Training programme in 2008/9, this one-day workshop was introduced and aimed at PGR's who are required to do presentations, running seminar groups, examinations or anything where they find they need to overcome their ‘nerves’ or other anxieties.

The MPLS Division at Oxford provides a programme of skills training courses for its doctoral research students and postdoctoral researchers, based upon the Joint Skills Statement. The programme is reviewed on an ongoing basis, so that each year’s programme is relevant and up to date. For 2009-10 an overarching framework of personal effectiveness courses has been established, with the aim of supporting researchers in their development from the early stages of their doctoral studies through to the first permanent appointment, be this inside or outside academia. In addition to the existing website, a new skills handbook has been produced which will provide comprehensive information about the programme for new students and research staff.