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The annual Research Poster Conference provides a unique opportunity for doctoral researchers at all stages of their studies to present their research to a diverse mixed-disciplined audience. The Conference is an excellent practical forum for the development of a range of essential communication and networking skills. It is also a chance for University students and staff to foster productive interdisciplinary links and find out more about the range of exciting research that takes place at the University of Birmingham. The usual resources are required to deliver the event: a venue; catering & catering staff; additional helpers to assist on the day; and a means of producing and displaying the posters. We also provided 3 doctoral researchers with the opportunity to become part of the project team that organised the Research Poster Conference.

The courses and workshops outlined in our programme are designed to meet the needs of all groups of staff within the College and offer a wide variety of development opportunities in five key areas:

• Health & Safety

• Information Technology

• Leadership & Management

• Skills & Knowledge

• Wellbeing

In our 2009/10 training programme, we introduced a section specific to the development of researchers, in response to principle 4 of the Concordat. This section has continued to develop following feedback received from research staff, line managers and principal investigators.

Research staff may also attend any of the other Staff Training & Development courses offered in the programme.

Official pre-launch of the International Year of Chemistry 2011. An event held in Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on January 18^th brought together women chemists from 37 countries using modern communication tools; each country/region will arrange its own event(s) and individual breakfasts will be linked together by SKYPE/video, and by using Twitter.  In addition to networking, the aim is to celebrate the pivotal role of Marie Curie in chemistry, and to reflect on the current landscape for women chemists. 

Following consultation at the Research Staff Forum in March 2011 a programme has been devised and is scheduled to run for the first time in September 2011.  The programme exists as a one day event, but it is envisaged that following the initial event in September online content will be developed to make the Induction Programme available to researchers who need it, when they need it.

GRADnews is a monthly e-newsletter aimed at postgraduate research students within the university and features information on a wealth of internal and external career-development related opportunities available to the community.