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This analysis summarises responses to RCUK’s 2011 survey of research organisations (ROs) regarding the impact of Roberts funding to date, responses to changes in funding and strategies to 2013.

The 2011 survey was voluntary and consisted of open-ended questions. 

 

The data have a number of limitations as a result. Response rate was 50% of all ROs in receipt of Roberts funding in 2010/11, but this includes 92% of the Russell Group and 1994 Group research-intensive universities where much of the Roberts funding was concentrated.

In April 2008, the HERDA-SW Research Management Group Research Training network submitted a proposal to run a pilot South West Universities GRADschool during 2008/9. The aim of the proposal was to demonstrate and pilot a mutually beneficial regional collaboration in the area of generic skills training for research students.

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.

During the 2008-09 academic year we instigated an institutional-wide evaluation of our ‘Effective Researcher Development Programme’ (ERDP). The aims were to demonstrate, institutionally, using a wide range of evaluation methods, that running skills development courses for PGR researchers are both beneficial and well received. Moreover, we aimed to demonstrate (based on highly positive feedback from both participants and academic staff) that PGR skills training programmes should continue to be supported irrespective of future RCUK funding.

A new and custom-adapted automated system designed to support managers and researchers by prompting timely induction and probation review discussions between them.

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.

Strategy for evaluation of the postgraduate skills training programme at the University of Bath. The strategy seeks to take account of the Rugby Team Impact Framework by evaluating inputs, outputs and outcomes on both short and long-term timescales.