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Effective researcher (PGR)
The ‘How to be an effective researcher' programme is designed to prepare postgraduate researchers for their research.
The programme was highly acclaimed during its pilot phase, and reached the final of the 2007 Times Higher Education Awards. In 2010 the programme was a finalist in the National Training Awards.
Overview
‘How to be an effective researcher' is a two day, non-residential programme aimed at postgraduate researchers who are three to twelve months into their doctoral studies.
The programme is available for free use by UK higher education institutions.
Programme aims
The programme aims to enhance the effectiveness of postgraduate researchers by building their understanding, skills and confidence in:
- communication
- planning and time management
- problem solving
- leadership
- assertiveness.
The programme also helps individuals to understand their own learning and working styles, through the following core areas:
- PhD project planning and time management
- working effectively with others (including supervisors)
- collaboration
- culture within research groups, institutions and countries
- self awareness and preferences for learning and working.
Typical day 1 programme
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9.30 |
Registration -An opportunity for participants to meet the course tutors and other participants |
| 9.45 |
Introduction to the course -Setting the scene for the course |
| 10.00 |
Getting to know each other - An introduction exercise to allow the participants to get to know each other |
| 10.20 |
Establishing common ground - Setting the agenda for the course and beginning the process of disclosure between participants |
| 10.45 | First team project (problem solving) - A team based activity exploring problem solving and project management |
| 11.45 | Project management 1: Tuning into your PhD - A session that establishes the basics of project management using participants' experience of managing their PhD, the previous exercise, and their observations or work experience |
| 12.15 |
Lunch |
| 13.00 | Second team project (resource management) - A team based activity where participants consider issues related to resource availability, communication, and the need to plan and re-plan as more information becomes available |
| 13.45 |
Project management 2: Planning your PhD - An introduction to some project management tools and techniques that can be applied to an academic research project |
| 14.15 |
Third team project task (applying planning tools) - An exercise where the participants can apply the project management tools that they have learnt from the day |
| 15.45 | Refreshment |
| 16.00 |
Working effectively with others: project approaches - A session that introduces aspects of being able to work effectively with others despite having differences of approach |
| 16.45 |
Review and close of day 1 |
Contact us to discuss opportunities for your institution to run ‘How to be an effective researcher'
Jo Allan24 January 2011 at 09:47 AM
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what is the cost of this programme for attendees?
Heather Pateman08 February 2011 at 09:22 AM
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Dear Jo,
The cost of the programme may vary depending on where and who runs the programme. The programme materials are freely available on the Database of resources for UK Higher Education Institutions to run themselves.
The advice on what to do next will depend on whether you are a postgraduate researcher or staff supporting them. I suggest looking at the events listings to find out where Effective researcher is being run, and whether there are costs associated with it or contact your local hub.
Regards
Heather