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This conference showcases presentations and posters from UoP research students. We offer research students a valuable opportunity to practice presenting, listen to presenters, test their posters, view the work of other research students and, participate in the overall experience of a cross-discipline researcher conference.

As a follow up to our ‘SmartStart’ PhD inductions (see practice 929) that we organise or the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (PCMD; in collaboration with the University of Plymouth) we hold an ‘Annual Researcher Event’. All doctoral students at PCMD are required to attend the two-day residential event, where they present on an aspect of their research to an audience consisting of their peers and academic staff from PDMC. Each year two students receive an award for their outstanding presentation and abstract. The event is also complimented by an annual dinner.

These two half day sessions are designed to develop key communication skills for the viva. The main focus for 'debating skills' is on developing practical skills that will be useful for students in both presenting an argument (in a thesis or an academic paper), and in defending those ideas in a viva or a seminar. The main focus for 'the thesis defence' is to provide a valuable opportunity for students to practice defending their thesis.

PhD students are given a budget to use to organise their own seminar series, both of their peers, who typically are not invited to Departmental seminars and 'big' names who are often monopolised by staff.

We have strived to improve our PGR induction provision by developing a more interactive and timely session entitled ‘SmartStart’. The session brings together academic and professional development staff with current PhD researchers to deliver a high quality, dynamic start to their research studies.

This is a collaborative project in which the Universities of Exeter, Bath and Bristol are producing online e-learning skills recourses to part-time or distance based PhD researchers at the three institutes.

Several ‘Careers in Academia’ workshops have been held, covering all subject cohorts, in which the steps needed to secure an academic position were discussed. The workshops were supported by the staff from the careers unit as well as senior and junior academics from across the university.

This one day intensive workshop aims to prepare researchers to gain the most out of attending research conferences. The day begins with an exploration of what the benefits of conference attendance are, then focuses down on practical considerations of preparing poster presentations and ends with an engaging look at making an impact during presentations.

Training needs handbook and log for research postgraduates – combining guidance on training needs analysis, space for planning and reviewing personal and professional development and provides examples of training and development activities.

A half day workshop intended as a starting point for any researcher interested in applying for independent research funding.