Part-Time Researcher Conference02 September 2010

Event overview

The Vitae Scotland and Northern Ireland Hub, in partnership with the Scottish Funding Council and Universities across the region, are delighted to announce their first Part-Time Researcher Conference.

Specifically tailored to the needs of part-time PhD researchers and researcher staff, this one day event is designed to enable researchers to make the most of their research experience and future career. 

Informed by feedback from part-time researchers across the county this event will provide researchers with the opportunity to network with colleagues from diverse research areas and universities; develop professional skills; consider future careers; and receive valuable advice, support and information from service providers at universities across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The conference will be structured around a series of participatory workshops on training and development themes, delivered by specialist HEI staff tailored to part-time researcher needs.  A focussed plenary, extended networking lunch with information stands from a wide range of relevant providers and a final question and answer session will complete the day.

ALL participants will be part -ime researchers at universities across Scotland and Northern Ireland.  This includes those registered for professional doctorates or distance learning research degrees.

Keynote speaker confirmed

Dr Kirsten Kearney

Chief Executive of ESC (The Educational Shakespeare Company Ltd)

ESC is a ground-breaking arts education charity, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. They work predominantly with ex-prisoners and ex-offenders, addicts, marginalised young people and people with mental health difficulties, using drama and film to help people find their voice, tell their stories and reach towards radical transformation in their own lives.

Kirsten became Chief Executive after raising the money for her own post. She has an extensive background in the arts sector having worked in arts development and arts marketing in Northern Ireland. She is a former lecturer in Cultural Studies at Glasgow University, speaks fluent German and taught English Studies in Germany. Kirsten has an MPhil in Modern Poetry, with a thesis on Seamus Heaney, and a PhD in German and Scottish national and cultural identity.

She is also a published poet who was selected to represent Northern Ireland in the European Poetry in Motion project in Washington. She was writer in residence in Anacostia, one of the most disadvantaged areas of DC, working with young black Americans.

Keynote address:

 "We Make the Path by Walking' - This keynote will take you on the journey that Kirsten has been on, from PhD Student to part-time researcher, lecturer and then, through many twists and turns, to Chief Executive of an innovative educational charity. Kirsten will explore some of the challenges of part-time research and some of the surprises of life after your PhD. This talk will encourage you to think bigger and to trust yourself a little bit more.