Vitae Connections: research staff training provision

19 November 2009

By Tennie Videler

On Thursday I took part in the Vitae Connections event. It was a practice sharing day for people who deliver experiential learning courses to researchers. Why am I telling you about it? I was struck by how passionate the trainers were about getting it right and tailoring every event to the audience they find. What a group of inspirational people (many have been researchers themselves). And I thought you might be interested in the courses Vitae has developed specifically for research staff. Vitae provides trainers with ideas and materials to put on each course.  

One example is ‘How to be an effective researcher’, concentrating on project management and how to take you from good to great…. Check if your institution or local Hub runs one. (If the course appeals and it is not available- ask for it!) Remember that you can also attend any courses that are run for staff in general. Equally, you may be able to join in on courses that are being run for post graduate researchers, but check with the staff running them.

Broadening Horizons is an interactive and intensive two-day programme that provides you with the opportunity and tools to engage in your career development. A newer course is Advancing in Academia which addresses how to succeed in a competitive and complex research environment. It is being run nationally, but will soon be available to institutions to run.

Please let me know what you think of them- would you be tempted to go? Any questions about them? If you have been on any- let me know what you thought of it. Your input can really help us get these right!