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•The focus of the scheme is Researcher Excellence and encompasses Professional and Career Development •Individual objectives for the 6 month relationship are defined by the Mentor & Mentee at the initial meeting. •Following a successful 6 month pilot scheme in 2009/10 the scheme to be expanded to 20 Researcher Mentor/Mentee pairs. Both Mentors and Mentees receive training. •Disseminating professional skills more widely across the Research Community, Loughborough can gain key benefits in research success, especially in preparation for the Research Excellence Framework. •The Scheme helps the University to fulfil the requirements of the 'Concordat for the Career Development of Researchers’ in supporting the career and professional development of Research Staff.

The Postgraduate Enterprise Summer School, now in its sixth year, is a week long course that has been designed to teach skills in enterprise and entrepreneurship to postgraduate students at the University of Birmingham. Topics covered include innovation, marketing, business planning, financing, commercialisation and presentation skills. By the end of the course participants will: develop a business idea from the concept stage to a fully fledged business proposition; know the steps required to set up their own business; be aware of the requirements to commercialise research in an academic environment; be able to work effectively in a team environment; and identify which role they are best suited to in a business team. The Entrepreneurship and Innovation team of the Careers and Employability Centre plans, runs and facilitates the week with some teaching input. The majority of training is delivered by other internal staff, external trainers and entrepreneurs. The University’s Business School hosts the event providing training rooms and IT suites. Being intensive, all lunches and refreshment breaks need to be catered and one evening dinner is provided, as an opportunity to network with successful entrepreneurs from the region. In recent years, use of software (SimVenture) and the internet, brainstorming tools (Ketso) and profiling tools (e.g. Belbin, eFACETS) have significantly enriched the programme.

The short introduction to presentation skills is aimed at postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their research. It forms part of a portfolio of programmes on different aspects of presentation skills that postgraduate researchers can use to tailor their own development. Resources required are fairly basic- a training room with projection equipment and a flipchart stand for part of the demonstration. The session is delivered by a single trainer.

An interdisciplinary initiative run by doctoral researchers to enrich their research environment, enhance their skills and facilitate exchange of ideas on Europe.

This is a 5-day residential, highly participative, fun and challenging event. Using a combination of outdoor activities, classroom sessions and guided individual and group reflection, participants explore their personal approach to team work, experience what makes teams successful and have the opportunity to share their experiences with a wide range of doctoral researchers. It is based at the University’s outdoor centre in the heart of the Lake District. The University of Birmingham is fortunate in having its own outdoor training centre in the Lake District. This includes fully trained and qualified staff and all specialist equipment. Facilitators skilled in group review and supporting reflection are vital to the success of this activity in order to help participants make connections with the experience and their situation “at home”. We have also found that at least one group tutor should be an experienced academic / researcher, in order to further contextualises the learning. 2 central University staff attend as group leaders, facilitate classroom based exercises and act as small group tutors as appropriate. Up to 4 small group tutors are required to facilitate exercises and group reviews. These are provided by the Centre as appropriate. Access to the on-line Belbin Team Profile tool is also required

The Short Introduction to Project Management is aimed at postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their research degree. It forms part of a portfolio of Project Management programmes of different lengths and levels of depth that postgraduate researchers can use to tailor their own development. Resources required are fairly basic - a training room with projection equipment and pen and paper for the interactive sections. The session is delivered by a single trainer.

This is an annual day-long event for PhD students in the College of Science & Engineering. It consists of presentations by successful professionals in the discipline areas of the college and workshops on key employability issues such as "how to get a job" and "how to win research grants". Presenters are often University of Leicester alumni. Presentations are built around a clear brief focussing on opportunities and tips for aspiring professionals. The event incorporates a carefully structured networking lunch where PhD students meet the presenters to discuss career and employability issues, current trends in the professional areas and so on. The events also include exhibitions from research councils, recruitment companies and those providing development opportunities for PhD researchers in parallel with their studies.

This is an annual day-long event for PhD students in the College of Medicine, Biological Sciences & Psychology. It consists of presentations by successful professionals in the discipline areas of the college and workshops on key employability issues such as "how to get a job" and "how to win research grants". Presenters are often University of Leicester alumni. Presentations are built around a clear brief focussing on opportunities and tips for aspiring professionals. The event incorporates a carefully structured networking lunch where PhD students meet the presenters to discuss career and employability issues, current trends in the professional areas and so on. The events also include exhibitions from research councils, recruitment companies and those providing development opportunities for PhD researchers in parallel with their studies.

Charity Challenge is an opportunity for University of Leicester PhD students to develop career management transferrable skills whilst working in a volunteering context. Each PhD student raises money over a six month period to enable them to engage in an international volunteering activity, in the third world. The objective is for students to take part in this activity in a team environment and in this way enhance a range of transferrable skills of relevance to their professional future. The volunteering activity is a two week project designed to help a third world community, e.g. through refurbishing a school, nursery or other community location. Through engagement with this activity, as part of a team, participants skills are challenged and enhanced. Students are responsible for making sure that they have adequate medical, and travel insurance. They are also responsible for making sure that you have received all necessary medical vaccinations.

The programme aims to develop communication skills for researchers in the context of communicating science to the public. It is delivered through a two-day training course composed of a series of lectures, group exercises and workshops. This is followed by a visit to a local school (Years 11-13) where small groups of researchers work together to present their research. After the school visit researchers are invited to a debrief session where they hear the feedback from the schools, reflect on the skills they have developed, and consider how to best present those skills to potential employers. Many additional outreach opportunities are provided, including the chance to develop and deliver longer on-campus workshops for A-level students and to contribute to community events and festivals.