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A one day event involving a talk by an external speaker from the NHS on how to make effective presentations and feedback from the speaker on research students’ presentations.

Applying for a Fellowship - when, where and how consists of information sessions and small group follow-on workshops. The aim of the course is to impart information about the research fellowship application process to early career researchers in the biomedical sciences. There were 3 separate lunchtime sessions over 2 weeks, covering funding types and eligibility, general hints and tips on applications, how to fit in with funding bodies’ agendas and the application and interview process. At each session, at least one successful fellow shared their personal experiences. At the end of the final session, two fellows were joined by two members of academic staff who are panel members for MRC and BBSRC for a question and answer session around funders’ and applicants’ views of the Fellowship application process. Sessions were presented by academic staff members, business development personnel and fellows. Following these, those that attended have been invited to the following smaller follow-up sessions: 1) What if a Fellowship is not for me? - a session on pursuing the academic career route without having gained a Fellowship – a recently appointed lecturer from the Vet School talked through how she gained her position and the dedicated researcher careers advisor for Nottingham discussed strategies for achieving a lectureship. 2) Fellowship writing support group – 8 researchers interested in applying for Fellowships are being set up in a support group co-ordinated by the graduate centre manager. This group will have follow-up sessions including pitching their research proposals to one another and training in the JeS and pFACT systems. 3) Funding available to clinical professionals – an information session on funding specifically for clinical professionals and projects will be given by a clinical member of Faculty staff in early 2010. 4) Alternative career options for biological scientists - this session was requested in feedback from ‘What if a Fellowship is not for me?’ and will run in early 2010.

A BESTS is a chance for research students and staff to broaden their experiences and networks of contacts by fully funding a visit, of up to two months duration, to a host organisation anywhere in the world. The host organisation can be a university, business, government department, charity, non-governmental organisation, etc. In fact almost any organisation can be visited, provided it will give researchers the chance to broaden and deepen their understanding of what it means to be a researcher and the skills and attitudes they will need to make a success of their career in whatever sector they choose to move into. Competitive funding exists for at least 10 BESTS per annum.

Programme of workshops available to research staff, mapped to Loughborough Skills Statements and Concordat Principles

Workshops for postgraduate research students to develop the skills required for success in the academic job market. The sessions had a particular focus on presentation skills and writing academic papers.

An initiative to provide cross-disciplinary support on theoretical, methodological and ethical concerns enabling PGRs to share experiences, develop their skills as researchers and network widely within and beyond the University.

The MPLS Division at Oxford provides a programme of skills training courses for its doctoral research students and postdoctoral researchers, based upon the Joint Skills Statement. The programme is reviewed on an ongoing basis, so that each year’s programme is relevant and up to date. For 2009-10 an overarching framework of personal effectiveness courses has been established, with the aim of supporting researchers in their development from the early stages of their doctoral studies through to the first permanent appointment, be this inside or outside academia. In addition to the existing website, a new skills handbook has been produced which will provide comprehensive information about the programme for new students and research staff.

The Research Staff (peer) mentoring scheme was designed to address the address specific career and professional development needs identified by early career researchers at the Univeristy of Nottingham, and to provide them with a structured and supported process to address these issues with colleagues. The scheme also underpins the university's commitment to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers (2008) which specifically highlights the importance of mentoring for research staff.

Schools and Research Institutes across the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences are invited to bid for funds to host inter-disciplinary conferences organised and presented by postgraduate researchers and research staff; skills training in presentation, poster design and event management is offered to support the organisers and participants.

A range of support for researchers considering applying for Fellowships, including workshops and information on building a funding track record, funding sources, advice on applying, and sharing experiences of successful applicants and Fellowship reviewers.