PGR GRADUATE SKILLS PATHWAY

The PGR Graduate Skills Pathway is a framework for you to gain formal recognition for extra-curricular skills and training.

It provides the opportunity to access a suite of transferable skills, training, activities and events to enhance your personal development and future prospects.

Our aim is to provide you with a personalised training pathway to empower scientific leadership and excellence, developing you as a sector ready individual with a unique identity and the confidence to become a future leader in your chosen discipline.

 

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MVLS Activities A-Z

                                               

 

WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

It's recommended you do the equivalent of 10 days worth of transferable skills training each year. This does not mean that you have to undertake 10 days worth of formal courses! A wide range of activities can count towards this.

Discuss with your supervisor which Researcher Development Framework (RDF) skills domain these fit into.

This is the first year we will be using Inkpath, a career and development platform trusted by over 60 institutions worldwide, for you to book and reflect on activities, keep track of your attendance and build your skills and training portfolio.

You can also download a full transcript, listing the skills and training gained over your research period for you to use in your future career and employment. Once fully completed, this collection of skills and training will show up on your HEAR transcript as three courses - Graduate Skills Pathway Y1, Y2 and Y3. Let the graduate school know when you have completed each year.

And if you don't finish your research period and withdraw early you will still have access to your transcript listing your skills and training to date.

This all sound good if you are a PhD student, but what if you are an MScR/MD/MVM student?

MScR/MVM students complete the mandatory activities in year 1 and the thesis writing/viva courses, from years 2/3 below before writing your thesis. 

MD students complete the mandatory activities in year 1, including thesis writing/viva courses from years 2/3 when appropriate, and then pick relevant optional activities from across years 2/3 below or external to the university.

When Do Activities Open For Booking?

All activities below can be booked via the new InkPath App and will open for booking one semester at a time. Activities for semester one open in September, semester two activities open in Dec and semester three activities open in March. Feel free to take more activities that are not mandatory or are external to the university.

Current Researchers

For current researchers, not new researchers, ask the Graduate School to download your current skills and training transcript from the PGR system and you can upload it to your Inkpath profile. Login to Inkpath, go to the homepage, then 'find activities'. In the self-study section you'll see 'PGR Skills and Training Transcript'. You can add your transcript there.

CDT and Doctoral Training Programme Students

If you are on a CDT/DTP type programme and have a bespoke training programme, you are also required to follow the activities on the Graduate Skills Training programme below, the same as any other pgr student.

Activities in bold are mandatory and must be booked via Inkpath and added to your Inkpath profile.

Extracurricular Activities

Activities that are not straight training courses can be undertaken, and included, as part of your skills and training pathway.

For example, you can do:

  • Internships
  • Sit on a committee
  • Get involved in mentoring programmes
  • Become a Graduate Teaching Assistant
  • Attend/speak at conferences
  • Do a poster presentation
  • Have a journal submission accepted to a publication
  • Glasgow Science Festival Internship
  • Be a student rep
  • Attend a workshop
  • Be a STEM Ambassador

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

YEAR 1

Complete all mandatory courses in bold in Effective Communication and Researcher Integrity, plus min 1 activity from Community & Connectivity and min 1 activity from Subject Specialization.
Complete a PGR Reflective Log on optional activities only for your annual review.

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Effective Communication

  • Developing Rigour & Validity in Literature Searches: 
    RSDA6096P
  • Critical Appraisal of the Medical Literature: RSDA61159
  • Formulating a Research Question: True, New & Important: 
    RSDA6097P
  • Introduction to Endnote: 
    RSDA6201
  • Powerpoint Essentials: RSDD6004
  • The Literature Review: 
    RSDA6083
  • Working with Your Supervisor STEM:
    RSDD 6046
  • Establishing a Writing Practice (Sciences):
    RSDA 6082
  • Submit your Literature Review as part of your initial review

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Researcher Integrity

All UofG Research Staff must complete the training courses below. They can be found at Research and Innovation Services.

 

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Community & Connectivity

Complete the mandatory activity in bold plus min one other.

  • Equality & Diversity Essentials: Moodle
  • How do I engage the public with my research part 1 & 2: RSDD6009
  • Mind your mate: RSDB6095
  • Networking for PGRs: RSDB6108
  • Writing freely - Blogging about your research: RSDD6074
  • Public Engagement - An Introduction: RSDD6065
  • Burnout and Wellbeing: RSDB6111
  • Parenting and Academia - Managing the Mental Load: RSDB6067
  • Filling Your Bucket: RSDB6112
  • This PhD Life conference
  • Taming the Inner Critic: RSDB6112
  • Motivation & Procrastination: RSDB6096
  • Overcoming Perfectionism: RSDB6114
  • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: RSDB6046

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Subject Specialization

Choose min one activity. 
*only complete if appropriate

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YEAR 2

Complete the mandatory activity in bold, plus min 2 activities of your choice.

Complete a PGR Reflective Log on optional courses only for your annual review.

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Effective Communication

  • Introduction to Writing your Thesis: RSDA6010 
  • How to Publish and Critically Evaluate Scientific Articles:
    RSDA6006
  • Successful Writing:RSDA6009
  • Systematic Reviews - From Protocol to Publication:
    RSDA6185
  • Glasgow Science Festival Internships (tbc)
  • Structuring Your Dissertation (Sciences):RSDA6085
  • Effective Writing 1 (Sciences):
    RSDA6086
  • Effective Writing 2 (Sciences):
    RSDA6087
  • Writing for Publication (Sciences):RSDA6088 PowerPoint Power-Up: RSDD6096
  • Writing Freely - Blogging About Your Research:RSDD6074
  • Communicating Visually:
    RSDD6076
  • Poster Design: RSDD6081
  • Convincing Conference Presentations: RSDD6097
  • Theatre Techniques for Presenters: RSDD6104
  • Lasting Impressions for 3MT STEM: RSDD6105
  • Word - Creating a Thesis:
    RSDA6203

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Researcher Integrity

  • Writing a Data Management Plan with DMP Online: RSDC6030
  • Introduction to Project Management: RSDC6001
  • Introduction to GDPR: 
    Moodle

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Community & Connectivity

  • How do I engage the public with my research?: RSDD6086
  • Networking for PGRs: RSDB6108
  • Parenting and Academia - Managing the Mental Load: RSDB6067
  • Burnout and Wellbeing: RSDB6111
  • Filling Your Bucket: RSDB6112
  • Taming the Inner Critic: RSDB6112
  • Mind your mate: RSDB6095
  • Motivation & Procrastination: RSDB6096
  • Overcoming Perfectionism: RSDB6114
  • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: RSDB6046

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Subject Specialization

  • Analysing Qualitative Data: RSDA6159
  • Design and Analysis of Comparative Experiment: RSDA6099P
  • More Advanced Use of R: RSDA6014
  • Python Programming for Biologists: RSDA6005
  • Statistics - Diagnostic Testing and Comparing Methods of Measurement: RSDA6039
  • Statistics - Linear Regression: RSDA6036
  • Statistics - Logistic Regression: RSDA6095P
  • Statistics - Survival Analysis: RSDA6038
  • Introduction to Python: RSDA6205
  • Excel working with data: RSDA6202
  • Introduction to NVivo: RSDA6206
  • Introduction to SPSS: RSDA6207
  • Preparing for Research Fieldwork: 
    online course

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Innovative Ideas

  • Intellectual Property and Economic Impact Opportunities for Your Research: RSDC6035
  • Teaching with Technology: RSDD6069
  • StartUp Something Good: RSDD6032

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Career Direction & Leadership Skills

  • Building Your Digital Research Presence: RSDB6113
  • Policymakers and Your Research: RSDC6032
  • Postgraduate Leadership Programme: application opens Jan 2024

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YEAR 3

Complete the mandatory activity in bold, plus min 2 activities of your choice.

Complete a PGR Reflective Log on optional activities only for your annual review.

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Effective Communication

  • Preparing for the Viva: RSDA6011
  • Writing for Publication (Sciences): RSDA 6088
  • PowerPoint Power-Up: RSDD6096
  • Writing Freely - Blogging About Your Research: RSDD6074
  • Communicating Visually: RSDD6076
  • Poster Design: RSDD6081
  • Convincing Conference Presentations: RSDD6097
  • Theatre Techniques for Presenters: RSDD6104 
  • Lasting Impressions for 3MT STEM: RSDD6105
  • Introduction to Endnote: RSDA6201
  • Word - Creating a Thesis: RSDA6203
  • Introduction to OneNote: RSDA6210

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Researcher Integrity

  • Writing a Data Management Plan with DMPOnline: RSDC6030
  • Introduction to GDPR: 
    Moodle

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Community & Connectivity

  • Networking for PGRs: RSDB6108
  • Parenting and Academia - Managing the Mental Load
    Course Code: RSDB6067
  • Burnout and Welbeing: RSDB6111
  • Filling Your Bucket: RSDB 6112
  • Taming the Inner Critic: RSDB 6112
  • Mind your mate: RSDB6095
  • Motivation & Procrastination: RSDB 6096
  • Overcoming Perfectionism: RSDB 6114
  • Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: RSDB 6046

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Subject Specialization

  • Introduction to Python: RSDA6205
  • Excel working with data: RSDA6202
  • Introduction to NVivo: RSDA6206
  • Introduction to SPSS: RSDA6207
  • Preparing for Research Fieldwork: 
    online course

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Innovative Ideas

  • Intellectual Property and Economic Impact Opportunities for Your Research:
    RSDC6035
  • Teaching with Technology: RSDD6069
  • StartUp Something Good: RSDD6032

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Career Direction & Leadership Skills

  • CV Feedback Session: RSDB6109
  • Getting ready for the workplace: CV writing skills and job applications:
    RSDB6058P
  • Job Hunting and Successful Applications:
    RSDB6034
  • Performing well in job Interviews:
    RSDB6039
  • Reviewing Your Career:
    RSDB6036
  • Building Your Digital Research Presence:
    RSDB 6113
  • Policymakers and Your Research:
    RSDC 6032
  • Postgraduate Leadership Programme: course opens in Jan 2024

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How to:

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Book Activities On Inkpath - Step by Step

  • Log into your Inkpath app or desktop account
  • Navigate to 'Find Activites' to search for activities appropriate for you
  • Select course and date
  • A description will appear with a 'Book place on activity' button
  • Approval of your booking will appear along with extra info you may need, for example, reading materials, location, cancel button
  • Once booked you will receive a confirmation email
  • Recording your attendance: A QR code or attendance code will be generated for each event and emailed to the presenter to give to you at the end of the activity for you to scan on your phone or enter the code manually in your student profile.
  • When marking your activity as complete you can log your hours, rate it, recommend it and give feedback.
  • All activities booked show up on your profile
  • If you book a multi-day activity, you must be available to attend all days
  • Courses will not show on your HEAR transcript but will remain in your Inkpath profile. When you have completed the Graduate Skills Pathway, this will show in your HEAR transcript as three courses.

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Add Activities to your Inkpath Profile - Create Your Graduate Skills Pathway

  • Log into your Inkpath app or desktop account
  • Navigate to 'Create Activity'
  • Choose 'Find goals specific to me' or 'Create my own goal'
  • Find goals specific to me: this is for you to follow the Y1,Y2,Y3 pathways of mandatory activities
  • Create my own goal: set up your own pathway of activites that are listed on Inkpath and also add external activities you participated in - workshops, conferences, poster presentations, journal submission acceptances, etc.
  • You will can view your progress in goal details.
  • Courses will not show on your HEAR transcript but will remain in your Inkpath profile.
  • When you have completed each year of the Graduate Skills Pathway let the graduate school know, we will add it to MyCampus, and this will show in your HEAR transcript as three courses - Graduate Skills Pathway Year 1, Year 2, Year 3.
  • All activities booked on Inkpath will always remain on your profile for future reference rather than your HEAR transcript.

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Reflect on Non-Mandatory Activities in Preparation for your APR

  • Log into your Inkpath app or desktop account
  • Navigate to your profile page and the 'complete' column
  • Open the activity you want to reflect on
  • Open the 'Notes' tab and complete the following questions:
    • What inspired you to choose this course and what did you hope to gain from this learning event?
    • How does your learning align with your TNA and what new skills did you achieve from attending the course?
    • How might these skills be helpful in your current practice/future career?
  • When you need a full list of all activities you have completed you can pull off an excel or pdf report, anything in the notes section will show on it. If you add any docs to the 'attach a file' section, they will not appear on the report. Download those separately.
  • Upload your report and extra docs to your MyCampus APR record in time for your annual review
  • Self-reflections are only required for non-mandatory activities

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Add Your PGR Transcript to Inkpath 

  • For current researchers, not new researchers, ask the Graduate School to download your current skills and training transcript from the PGR system
  • You can then upload it to your Inkpath profile.
  • Login to Inkpath > homepage > find activities > self-study.
  • In the self-study section you'll see 'PGR Skills and Training Transcript'. You can add your transcript there.

If you have any questions, reach out to the Graduate School.

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Trouble Logging in?

  • Error message: 'Sorry, but we're having trouble with signing you in'.
  • It is recommended that anyone encountering this issue uses an in-private browsing session to set up an account as you will be required to add-in your password during the sign up.
  • If you are still unable to log in after trying the above, you will need to raise a helpdesk request. This can be found on your MyGlasgow Student page. Direct it to IT not the MVLS Graduate School.

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How To Download Your Attended Courses On Inkpath For Your Annual Review

  • Log in to your Inkpath app or desktop account.
  • Click 'Export Activity'.
  • Choose the appropriate date range.
  • Click on 'Export xls' or 'Export pdf' - note that the pdf version will not show any self-reflection notes.
  • Save your doc.
  • Upload your doc in the PGR system for your initial/annual review.

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Can't See The Course You Want To Book In Inkpath?

  • All MVLS organised activities will be opened on Inkpath one semester at a time approx one month beforehand.
  • Semester one open in September.
  • Semester two open in December.
  • Semester three open in March.
  • Activities organised by the MVLS Graduate School an be found below called MVLS Activities A-Z.

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Missed Some Mandatory Courses and Can't Do Them Until the Next Academic Term?

  • Year 1 is necessarily ‘front end loaded’ with training in aspects you are expected to put into practise as your project matures. You may have relatively more time when you first start your project compared to later years – so it gets a little easier as you progress with a reduction in training required, as shown in years 2 and 3.
  • However, there will inevitably and acceptably be some carry over between years owing to timetabling issues.
  • Most mandatory courses are run more than once, add your name to the next mutually available time if booking has opened.
  • Do not worry about impact on your eligibility to continue study or graduate if some courses are missed. We are looking to develop you as a researcher; the transcript you come out with at the end is bespoke evidence of the personal continuing professional development training that you have engaged upon for future employers or grant awarding bodies to review.

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FAQs

  • Is the "Introduction to writing your thesis" course is a must in 2nd year.
    • Yes it is mandatory for all PGR students even if they are on a DTP type programme.
  • Do we get credits on Inkpath, our understanding was that credits had been removed?
    • Credits have been removed. Students can have their course transcripts from the PGR system printed off and you can upload them to your Inkpath profile. Just ask the Graduate School.
  • As a DTP student I have to do courses as part of myDTP, do I still have to do courses on the Graduate Skills Pathway?
    • It was agreed when the redesigned skills training model was being scoped that students on any of the programmes would follow the same skills training as any other postgraduate student. So yes, you do have to complete the mandatory courses on the Graduate Skills Pathway.

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