Professional development for researchers
Why focus on professional development?
Time spent thinking about your values, strengths and areas for development is time well spent.
Taking a strategic approach can give you choice and a competitive edge
Plan to build your profile, knowledge and skills
Read our leaflet on supporting continuous professional development for researcher developers
Academic Professional Apprenticeship (APA)
The Level 7 Academic Professional Apprenticeship (L7 APA) is a new standard intended to develop full competency in early career academics’ role as practitioners.
Thanks to all of you who applied to be independent assessors to be part of their EPA service.
Read Academic Professional Apprenticeship case study from the University of Exeter
Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF)
Read Understanding the experience of postgraduate researchers (PGRs) using the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) at UK Universities & find out recommendations for doctoral researchers, institutions and for the wider sector.
Read 2020 slides: Understanding the experience of PGRs using the Vitae RDF at UK Universities
The RDF describes the knowledge, behaviour and attributes of successful researchers.
How to use the RDF for researchers and researcher developers
The RDF Planner – plan your professional development with our online app for researchers
Planning your professional development
Vitae offers expertly facilitated tailored programmes for researchers, offering solutions for delivery. Read more details of our learning and development workshops
New to professional development planning? To make the most of opportunities and develop new ones try our Professional development planning for researchers online course (PDP ROC) course
Career action planning: facilitator guide and presentation. A short development session to run with researchers
Practical resources for researcher developers
See our practical resources page for quick links to the most popular guidance, support and resources for you, including:
Collections
Browse our collections by type of resource, across all topics.
Professional development advice sheets: covering the 63 professional development areas from the Vitae RDF
Action and evidence examples: setting actions for professional development or demonstrating your progress
Knowledge and intellectual abilities
