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There is an increased expectation from funders of research on researchers to consider the wider implications of their research on society, culture and the economy. This is reflected in the addition of 'pathways to impact' documents in grant applications. So too, the Vitae RDF explicitly makes reference to the need to up skill researchers in the area of engagement, influence and impact. This includes, working with others, communication and dissemination and KT and impact.

The University of York has piloted a new skills training programme for PhD students and staff which ran November 10 - July 11. This included training in: 

Enterprise and knowledge transfer - 'the research and innovation programme' - 8 part series of business planning workshops, aimed specifically at commercialisation of research and industrial engagement. the sessions were 2 hours in duration and covered- Knowledge Transfer, IP, business models for research innovation, Market analysis, financial awareness, business planning and pitching to industry.

Also, the Enterprising Researcher residential programme - 2.5 day intensive school for PGRs and postdocs.

Policy and Practice - Sessions included: Science into Policy - 2 hour session on working in the social sciences and translating research to policy makers. Also includes evidence led policy making advice. Sessions on communicating your research to lay audiences also covered aspects of communicating to policy makers.

Public Engagement - The University is working closely with the NCCPE to pilot a training programme in PE - also, sessions have run on public engagement and communicating research to different audiences.

Impact - specifically around pathways to impact, the programme offered 4 central staff sessions for cognate groups of departments broadly based around research council area, on pathways to impact. 

The programme also offered 4 central PhD sessions on research with impact, designed to allow researchers to consider impact from the outset of their research careers.

The sessions are 2.5 hours in duration and  pose the following questions: 

1. Who will benefit from your research?

2. How will they beneift?

3. What will you do in order to ensure they have the opportunity to benefit.

The sessions are interactive, allowing participants to work in groups on a specific research idea, and build a pathway to impact- they also have the chance to view example pathways and plans, and also to review their colleagues. Where possible, academic input is also used.

Sessions on impact are also being run in the departments as part of grat writing programmes and as bespoke one off courses. Such courses have mainly been for staff in Sociology, Education, Computer Science, Arts, Politics and psychology.

Coaching and one to one support around writing pathways to impact is also offered as part of the programme.

The North East of England has many exciting opportunities to offer researchers and are keen to retain excellent graduates from North East Universities. This conference gives researchers a chance to discover what the North East can offer them outwith the university sector.

This interactive workshop will allow researchers to gain a better understanding of themselves and others, allowing them to reflect upon what is important to them in their life and help with career decision making. Benefits include improved skills in managing change, working effectively in teams, resolving conflict, career decision making and even improved communication within personal relationships. Researchers will be required to complete an on-line questionnaire before attending the session.

This session looks at the format and content of both academic and non-academic interviews. Participants will get a better understanding of the questions asked, how to approach these and important factors such as body language and personal presentation.

A 3 hour ‘simulated’ workshop based on participants taking part in two commonly used assessment centre exercises, used by non-academic employers as part of their graduate selection. There will be a group activity and an individual presentation with Careers Advisers observing and providing individual assessment and feedback

This session will look at the types of questions asked on application forms, why employers want this information, how can you translate your academic experience into desirable skills and how you can stand out from the other applicants

There will an opportunity to take verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests on-line and then to discuss the role of psychometric tests in recruitment by employers, as well as your individual results, with a qualified member of the Careers Advisory Service. This is excellent preparation for the "real thing" when you are asked to take these by an employer.

This session gives researchers an overview of what is expected by academic / non-academic employers from an effective CV and prepares them to draft their own marketing tool, which the can then discuss with the careers development consultant one-to-one at a mutually suitable time

This session focuses on how researchers can effectively market themselves to academic employers via CVs and application forms, through covering letters and at interview.

A full day conference for research staff from the 5 North East Universities with a programme aimed to help researchers reflect upon their own professional development and focus on the actions they can take to develop and manage their careers