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Glasgow’s researcher development initiative aims to develop and support a vibrant community of researchers who can participate in meaningful engagement with researchers from other fields, policy makers, the wider public, and the local community and business sector. This has been achieved through our flagship ‘Making an Impact’ event which connects researcher training with opportunities to put what has been learnt into practice in real scenarios. ‘Making an Impact’ ran 3 times in the last academic year and was well attended by early-career researchers from all disciplines, as well as prospective PhD students. The overarching aim of the event was to help researchers to consider how their research and how they as researchers can have an impact on the local community, Government policy or the economy. Each event had two distinct sections as well as networking opportunities: Part A: Presentations from PhD alumni These were designed to help participants consider the wide range of career opportunities open to them and identify possible routes into these. Many speakers brought examples of how they are continuing to work closely with academia, thus enabling researchers to understand how their research could be used to inform work in museums, policy, social enterprise and spin-outs. These talks have cemented relationships between local organisations and the University. For example, discussions are now underway between a current research student in Adult Education and one of the Social Enterprise speakers about possible research collaboration. Following the presentation from a representative of Glasgow museums, a current researcher was invited to visit and meet curatorial staff to help clarify her career goals. Part B: Presentations from current research students Current researchers presented their work, considering how best to convey its value and interest to an audience outside of their own field (including the external speakers). Pitching their talk at the correct ‘level’ was particularly challenging for many students but they appreciated having an ‘outsider’ perspective as well as finding out about research methods and practice in other fields and areas where they might collaborate or learn from each other.

The session contains some useful hints to develop and maintain the quality of your voice for public speaking. There is a chance to explore vocal techniques including the use of pitch, pace, volume and tone. The digestive tract will be discussed regarding its dual function for eating and breathing. Exercises in articulation will include an emphasis on the importance of stance and posture. Breathing from the diaphragm will be encouraged to aid projection, timbre and vocal quality in general. Ways to avoid vocal strain will be discussed as well as what to do when you lose your voice through illness or overuse.

Participants work on their communications skills in this lively, interactive workshop on "talking to the media". They get the chance to meet staff from our press office and public engagement unit and take part in activities designed to help them understand what makes a good press release, and make them better prepared for interviews about their work. There will also be an opportunity to take away video-casts of mock interviews and discuss ongoing opportunities to take their research to a general audience.

Statistics Drop-In sessions have been designed to allow one-to-one tutorials for statistics and SPSS for research students.

DVD to support viva preparation, debunk myths and give final year researchers an insight into 'what it's really like'

Postgraduate researchers in the Education Graduate School have been interviewed for the role of mentor to current PG Taught students in the Faculty.