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Online induction package for First Year Doctoral Researchers. DR Essentials is a stand-alone online course placed on the self-registration area of WebCT . Doctoral Researchers can access it by adding it to their university online profiles. The course contains five separate modules covering key stages of the incipient doctoral research career. Each module combines content with a number of embedded talking heads that capture the views of Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors across the institution. At the end of each module there is a check list of tasks that should be completed. DR Essentials in its original version was developed at the University of Melbourne in Australia. The version used at the University of Birmingham has been developed by a team of experts from the Centre for Learning and Academic Development (CLAD) and the University Graduate School to meet the needs of researchers at Birmingham. The course is self-paced and users can dip into or work through in its entirety as they may need.

This scheme funds young researchers to work within entrepreneurial technology-driven business to develop: 1) a practical understanding of how to transform research ideas into commercially successful products and services; 2) leadership and transferable business skills.

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.

Teaching for Researchers is an accredited L&T for Research Staff and PhD students who see teaching as a professional development opportunity. The course consists of 2 modules and each module takes place over an academic semester. In total, participants have to attend 4 sessions in each module. There are also support sessions planned that are tutor led and link to the assessment tasks that need to be completed. All sessions last 2 hours over lunch-time. The course started in January 2010, two new cohorts have been created for the October 2010 intake. In total, +130 participants are currently registered, attend sessions and submit assignments. The course is accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) The high interest from RS and PGRs demonstrates that researchers see learning and teaching as a valuable training opportunity as part of their personal and professional development.