About the Programme
The Researcher Development Programme (RDP) at Ulster is a comprehensive and wide-ranging programme aimed at supporting the professional and personal development of our PhD Researchers through workshops, events and networking opportunities. It is an exciting and inclusive programme facilitated by Ulster academic staff, external contributors and PhD graduates from Ulster. It aims to enhance the overall research experience, improve academic outcomes, and prepare PhD Researchers for successful careers both within and outside academia.
Key aspects of the RDP includes: Research skills training: Workshops and courses focused on developing core research methodologies, ethics and governance, data analysis techniques and using different software packages; Writing Skills workshops on thesis writing, literature reviews, and academic publishing; Engagement and Communication sessions on presentations skills, producing posters, networking and conferences; Career Development support with sessionson career planning, CV writing, interview preparation, and exploring various career paths post-PhD; Transferable skills development: project management and leadership abilities; and Personal development courses on time management, work-life balance, and mental health support.
Key aspects of the RDP include:
- Research skills training: Workshops and courses focused on developing core research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and academic writing skills.
- Transferable skills development: Sessions aimed at improving communication, presentation, project management, and leadership abilities.
- Career development support: Guidance on career planning, CV writing, interview preparation, and exploring various career paths post-PhD.
- Academic writing support: Workshops on thesis writing, literature reviews, and academic publishing.
- Networking opportunities: Events and activities designed to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers.
- Personal development: Courses on time management, work-life balance, and mental health support.
Structure and Delivery
The RDP at Ulster is based on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework which outlines the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of a successful researcher. The programme is structured to align to the different stages of the doctoral journey, offering relevant support from the beginning of the PhD through to completion and beyond.
The RDP is delivered flexibly offering a mix of online and in-person sessions to accommodate different learning preferences and schedules. We run some courses in the evening time to enable further accessibility of the RDP.
RDP Handbook
Full details of the Researcher Development Programme including descriptions of workshops, booking information and how we evaluate the programme are in the Handbook.
Vitae Researcher Development Framework
The RDP at Ulster University is informed and guided by the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) which is endorsed by the Research Councils UK, the Quality Assurance Agency and other external stakeholders.
“The RDF is a professional development framework for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers in higher education. It articulates the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of successful researchers and encourages them to realise their potential.” (Vitae, 2010)
How much training do I need to undertake?
If you are registered as a full time PhD Researcher, you should aim to undertake the equivalent of 10 days per year in researcher development activities (five days per year for part-time).
Planning ahead
Inherent in the RDP is an understanding that different students will come to their PhD with different backgrounds and different needs. For example, a student who has just completed a first degree is likely to have a more limited skill set than one who has already spent time working in industry. This is why the programme has been designed to be flexible to your needs.
All PhD Researchers are expected to undertake a Training Needs Analysis at the beginning of their studies and to review this on an annual basis, in consultation with their supervisor(s). The Training Needs Analysis is structured around the Vitae Researcher Development Framework ‘domains’. This will be used to develop your own Personal Plan.
In PhD Manager, there is an area for 'Training and Development' in your Dashboard. This includes your Training Needs Analysis, Training Plan and Training Log which records all your researcher development activity.
Individual courses and workshops appear in the Events/Workshops area of PhD Manager.