B6 - Breaking down barriers: Engaging doctoral researchers and supervisors in transferable skills development
| Day | Day 1 |
|---|---|
| Session | B |
| Start time | 16:40 |
| Room | York |
| Audience |
Doctoral Researchers
Supervisors and Principal Investigators
|
| Code | B6 |
| Presenters |
Dr Neil Bannister, Doctoral Skills Coordinator, Doctoral College, University of Bath Dr Eleanor Parker, Doctoral Engagement Officer, Doctoral College, University of Bath |
Workshop overview
The Robert’s Report and the diversification of post-doctoral career pathways has positioned doctoral transferable skills provision as a key priority in the current research landscape. The purpose of this workshop is to explore how researcher developers can more effectively engage both doctoral researchers and supervisors with the broader transferable skills agenda. How can our transferable skills programmes reflect and respond to the needs of a diverse and growing doctoral community, a range of employers and other external stakeholders? Given that many doctoral graduates find employment beyond academia, how can we prepare them to evidence and articulate a variety of transferable skills and knowledge that will be valued by a range of employers? Based on sharing of best practice, the workshop will address the range of factors affecting engagement with the broader skills development agenda and will allow for proposal of potential solutions.
Workshop topics covered:
- Engaging students and supervisors in the wider skills development agenda
- Communicating the benefits of skills development provision to both doctoral researchers and supervisors
- Exploring the RDF in transferable skills communication
Themes covered:
Engaging research leaders, principal investigators and supervisors to transform professional development of researchers and embed professional development in the research environment
Workshop outcomes:
By the end of the workshop, participants will have:
- Explored some of the key challenges in this area faced by researcher developers, careers advisors and doctoral engagement professionals
- Shared best practice across institutions and explored new strategies to engage doctoral researchers and supervisors in the transferable skills agenda
- Contributed to a series of recommendations for effective engagement to be shared within the Vitae community
Format:
- Introduction to address the role and function of a doctorate in this current landscape and an example of practice at the University of Bath
- Thematic group discussion to explore and brainstorm key challenges and barriers to engagement with the broader transferable skills agenda
- Interactive discussion to propose strategies for engagement and communication that will address the challenges faced
