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At Southampton a coordinated program of training is offered to help with the whole process of developing a thesis, which can be broadly summarized as: • The initial stage where information is managed and coaxed into a viable structure. • The “writing up”stage, where references are managed and challenging intellectual property aspects are tackled. • The final stage where the thesis is submitted electronically. This training is aimed at both PGRs and their supervisors.

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 addition to a programme of inductions, traditional information skills classes and one-to-one sessions throughout the year, the History Librarian organises three learning events in the course of the academic year: Information Fair for Graduates and the Thesis Fair are opportunities for students to explore and discover in their own time and amongst 20+ stalls what primary sources (archives, books, databases) and useful IT tools are available to them and to connect with the relevant local experts and with other students. An experienced graduate contributes by presenting the Top Tips of a Survivor. The events are embedded in the academic curriculum and are followed up with specific information skills sessions relating to aspects of locating material, organising references and using databases effectively. Canapés with Clio (CwithC) invites academics to attend brief talks on various aspects of electronic resources followed by a sponsored buffet lunch. It is a chance for library staff to meet academics, update each other of projects and ask questions.

A Roberts funded skills enhancement project entitled ‘Employing MATLAB to foster interdisciplinary cooperation: a training programme for early career researchers’ (ECRs) was proposed, organised, managed and evaluated by a team of five ECRs from the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research at the University of Southampton. The anticipated outcomes of this initiative were that the ECRs receiving this training would be able to work more efficiently, understand the differences and similarities between various methodologies, choose appropriate methods for acquiring, processing and presenting data, and communicate their work more effectively. In addition, it was hoped that providing training on a university-wide basis would allow opportunities for interaction between ECRs, encouraging collaboration between departments. The methods used to evaluate this programme are briefly described here.

The course is undertaken online over a two month period. Following an orientation week, the content is split into 5 different topics.

This is a qualitative survey of the next career step for Reading Research Staff after completing their Research Contract at Reading

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.

As part of our Skill's Development Training programme in 2008/9, this one-day workshop was introduced and aimed at PGR's who are required to do presentations, running seminar groups, examinations or anything where they find they need to overcome their ‘nerves’ or other anxieties.

“Making the Summer Count” was a half day workshop which took place in June and July 2009. It aimed to help researchers think about how to improve their time management and remain motivated to achieve their goals. It was based on a planning and project management model and involved sharing ideas and working on individual rather than hypothetical scenarios.

A series of seminars, organised and run within the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division of the University, that aim to prepare senior postdoctoral researchers, research staff and newly-appointed academic staff for a career in academia at and beyond Oxford.