Optional Courses
The following courses are available to PGRs and are organised by the Researcher Development Team (researcher-development@glasgow.ac.uk) within Research & Innovation Services. With a few exceptions most courses will be offered in on campus and online formats. On campus courses will generally be in the ARC Researcher Development Suite (Room 226-227) and online ones on the Zoom platform. Information on all our courses and other development opportunities can be found on our webpage here: www.gla.ac.uk/pgrdevelopment.
Find our interactive course calendar, as well as instructions on how to book your place, on our Course Calendar and Booking page.
Career Directions
Introduction to Postgraduate Leadership
As a researcher you will have leadership responsibilities that come from managing your own projects, collaborating with researchers and mentoring other students and team members. This day workshop is designed for those in the early stages of their research project. It highlights the importance of these leadership skills and will equip you with the confidence and tools to become a co-ordinated, mindful, and useful leader throughout your future in research. These skills are worth cultivating from the beginning of your career, however, the course is suitable for anyone hoping to build on their own leadership skills. It is co-led by UofG PhD researchers who completed the full-length Leadership Programme, to pass on the valuable skills they learned to early PGRs.
Course Code: RSDB 6107
RDF Domain: B1-3, D1
Target Group: All PGRs, particularly those starting Year 1
Duration: 1 day online OR 1 day on campus
Postgraduate Leadership Programme
This flagship programme is for researchers who are curious about leadership and want to make a difference. If you are interested in mentoring others, managing relationships and projects with collaborators, sponsors or your supervisor, or hope to inspire and motivate others in your future career, this deep dive into leadership might be for you. It will help you understand your strengths and development areas, focus on who you are, and what you do as a leader. The course covers many aspects of leadership, from strategy and decision making, to problem solving, dealing with difficulty, and asking great questions. Combining tools, techniques and theory with your natural strengths and personal values it will help you find a style of leadership that suits you best.
The programme is a combination of online workshops and self-paced learning. You must be available to attend all sessions, as well as participating in the group project and your own personal development (3-4 hr work between sessions). We recognise this is a large time commitment and therefore you will be asked to provide evidence that you discussed your plans to attend this course with you supervisor.
Course Code: This course has an application process which opens in January 2023.
RDF Domain: B1-3, C2, D1
Target Group: PGRs at least 6 months into their research
Duration: Online, 3 hours per week for 3 months
Introduction to Careers in Academia
What is next after your PhD? Higher Education is a sector with more career routes than you might realise. Perhaps the best known job-type is the traditional lectureship, often called the Research and Teaching track. However, there are also an increasing range of research-only posts, teaching and learning posts, and professional services options which incorporate research and teaching elements.
In this in-person session you will find out about the differences between these roles and the criteria you might need to meet to secure them. You will also meet a panel of professionals who have taken different career routes within Academia and hear how they built their career profile.
Course Code: RSDB 6117
RDF Domain: B1, B2, B3
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 3 hours in person
Networking for Researchers
Building a network and using it effectively is a key requirement for all professionals, whether it is in an academic research setting, industry engagement or a conference. This workshop will focus on how to establish a network and build it to support your career and aims. It will cover networking strategies, engagement methods and how to “pitch” yourself and/or your ideas. You will explore how to turn conversations to your advantage; how to approach and engage with senior academics; and when and how to follow up with people. You will be encouraged create a personal networking strategy to use after the workshop. The workshop will comprise a mixture of group work, class discussion and individual exercises.
Course Code: RSDB 6108
RDF Domain: B1-3, D1
Target Group: All Researchers
Formats: 2.5 hours online OR 3 hours on campus
Building Your Digital Research Presence
This workshop is designed specifically for researchers who are looking to develop their online presence and boost their career prospects through social media. There are now numerous channels available that can be used to amplify your research, promote an enterprising project and attract future employers. In addition, social networks can act as a valuable source of information and a personally tailored news feed. We will explore different types of content that researchers can experiment with. What engages people? What should you post and what should you avoid? How should you manage your time on social media and optimise your engagement? In addition to designing an individual social media strategy, the workshop will include a section on legal considerations, privacy and openness. The workshop is designed to cover a selection of mainstream social media tools that can be used to build your online profile.
Course Code: RSDB 6113
RDF Domain: B3, C3
Target Group: All Researchers
Formats: 2.5 hours online OR 3 hour on campus
Policymakers and Your Research
This day-long event sets out to demystify the processes behind providing policymakers with accessible, balanced and independent analysis of public policy issues related to your research. You will learn about the policy cycle and landscapes, as well as how to identify, approach, and write for different kinds of policymakers. You will be encouraged to think about the wider scope of policymakers, beyond just government, in order to target your research in the places that will have the most impact. This is a highly interactive workshop, where you will work in a small team on a case study to draft up and receive feedback on a policy briefing.
Course Code: RSDC 6032
RDF Domain: B3, C1-2, D1-3
Target Group: All Researchers
Format: 1 day on campus
Connection and Belonging
Parenting and Academia: Managing the Mental Load
How do we juggle work-life balance when “life” comes with such a huge mental load? When the family to-do list is three times as long as the work to-do list and it seems you are always the one that has to remember everything? The thinking part of having children is permanent and it is exhausting. How can we thrive at work while navigating the worry and guilt of managing a family at home? How do we learn to share the planning and management of our homes effectively instead of just delegating tasks? It is possible.
In this webinar we will:
- explore what mental load is, how it manifests in our daily lives, and why it’s harmful
- learn to check in with our expectations
- learn to decontaminate our time so that we can be more effective in our work and more present at home
- identify worry and self-doubt loops and how to stop them
- learn to zoom out to fit everything in
- explore mindfulness and self-compassion as tools to help us be present
Course Code: RSDB 6067
RDF Domain: B1-2
Target Group: Researchers who are parents or carers
Format: 1 hour online
Navigating Uncertainty in Research
Academic life is a precarious one for many. Contracts are short-term, mobility is expected, and the future feels outside of our control. We are forever facing new challenges and constant change. Arguably, that is part of what we love most about academia. But over time, the uncertainty and instability of the situation can take a toll. Worry, doubt and fear can begin to settle in.
In this webinar, we will explore how to:
- give yourself permission (to be where you are and feel what you feel!)
- make micro-changes to maintain a solid emotional and mental foundation
- navigate uncertainty and worry
- recognise the controllable from the uncontrollable and learn where to spend your emotional and mental energy
- fill your bucket when life is constantly emptying it
Course Code: RSDB 6110
RDF Domain: B1-2, C2-3
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 1 hour online
Burnout and Wellbeing
Burnout is more than exhaustion. Burnout is mental, physical and emotional and it leaves us feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, unmotivated. Unfortunately, burnout is something academics are experiencing in high numbers currently.
In this webinar, we will learn:
- what burnout is (and isn’t)
- why it happens, the key triggers
- what to do if you find yourself burnt-out
- what we can do to avoid it if you think you’re getting close
- how to put the necessary fail-safes in place so that it doesn’t happen to you
Course Code: RSDB 6111
RDF Domain: B1-2
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 1 hour online
Filling Your Bucket
A simple phrase that signifies that we needed help/time/support/a lifeline: "my bucket is empty". It captures the constant pouring of ourselves into our work and projects. But we cannot pour from an empty bucket. And our buckets do empty.
In this webinar we explore:
- the many ways that we drain our bucket day-to-day. The physical, the emotional, the mental, the social drains that we often don’t acknowledge
- the cost of trying to achieve and excel with an empty bucket
- key tools that help you fill that bucket – from the micro-changes that help you to keep going, to the bigger shifts that allow your bucket to truly fill
- finding your 'why' in order to drive meaningful changes
- setting your bottom line and protecting it
Course Code: RSDB 6112
RDF Domain: B1-2
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 1 hour online
Working in Multicultural Teams
Cultural and individual differences between us are often wrapped up with differences among organisations, industries, professions, and other groups. Furthermore, some of us have lived in other countries or have multicultural families, which adds complexity. Acknowledging the complexity of these challenges, this workshop engages with our important cultural differences, as an invitation to move past cultural stereotyping, and appreciate diversity as an essential part of a successful working environment.
Over the course of two participatory sessions, this workshop will help you to develop new insights about yourself and others and give you practical skills which will help you improve how you work in multicultural teams.
Course Code: RSDD 6111
RDF Domain: D1-3, C1
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 2 part workshop, 2.5 hour and 1.5 hour online
This PhD Life
Looking for insider knowledge on what the PhD experience is really like? How to find a healthy work/life balance? How to manage your methodology? How to build an academic profile online? How to have a happy relationship with your supervisor? Then, this one-day symposium is for you. This biannual conference is aimed at those just starting their research, with talks from current PGRs and Postdocs about their real-life experience of doing their doctorate. Alternatively, if you are in year 2+ and have experience you would like share, please drop us an email at researcher-development@glasgow.ac.uk.
Booking advertised by email in advance of conference
RDF Domain: A1-3,B1-3,C1-3,D1-3
Target Group: Year 1 PGRs
Format: 1 day online
Researcher Integrity
Excel: Working with Data
MS Excel is one of the most widely used data analysis programmes. This workshop will get you up to speed with using and manipulating spreadsheet data. You will learn how to build and revise formulae, sort and print data and much more. Familiarity with the Windows environment is recommended.
Course Code: RSDA 6202
RDF Domain: A1-2, C2
Target Group: All PGRs
Duration: 3 hours online OR 3 hours on campus
Introduction to Endnote
EndNote is the reference manager supported by the University. This course will show you how to use EndNote Desktop. You will learn how to create a Library, insert references, manage references and produce a bibliography. You must have downloaded EndNote Desktop onto your computer before the course. Basic computing skills and a knowledge of Word are also required.
Course Code: RSDA 6201
RDF Domain: A1, B2, C2
Target Group: All PGRs
Duration: 3 hours online OR 3 hours on campus
Introduction to NVivo
NVivo is a qualitative data analysis (QDA) computer software package. This workshop will introduce you to the main features of the software which allows users to classify, sort and arrange thousands of pieces of information; examine complex relationships in the data; and combine subtle analysis with linking, shaping, searching and modelling. Instructions on how to access NVivo will be sent in advance of the workshop. Please bring a laptop with NVivo access already set up to this workshop.
Course Code: RSDA 6206
RDF Domain: A2, C2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 3 hours online OR 3 hours on campus
Introduction to OneNote
OneNote is a free-form note taking and information management tool supplied as part of Microsoft’s Office 365 suite of applications. It is a highly effective tool for keeping all your research notes together.
This course gives a basic introduction to the functionality of OneNote including:
- adding content to notes
- including screen clippings, images, audio, and video
- searching notes quickly and efficiently
- using tags to structure note taking
- organising your notes using Sections, Pages and Subpages
- converting Images to searchable text
- using templates to create well structured notes
Course Code: RSDA 6210
RDF Domain: A2, C2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 2.5 hours online OR 2.5 hours on campus
Introduction to Oral History
This two-day workshop will expose participants to the theory and practice of oral history, including the potential benefits and limitations of using oral sources -- both newly conducted interviews and archived oral sources -- to understand how people make sense of the past. The first day will focus on the theory that underpins oral history as an interdisciplinary field of study, while the second day will provide participants with more practical training related to conducting, transcribing, and analysing interviews, and communicating the resulting insights to interested academic and public audiences. The workshop's format will include mini-lectures, class discussions, and practical exercises, to ensure workshop participants have opportunities to think through the specific benefits and challenges that oral history might bring to their own research projects.
Course Code: RSDD 6111
RDF Domain: D1-3, A1-3, C2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: Two full days on campus
Introduction to Project Management
This course provides a basic introduction to project management techniques that will help you with the planning your PhD. It will introduce you to basic theories of project management; useful digital tools for planning your research; how to map and report your research to stakeholders such as your supervisor and other project partners; how to plan for risk and other issues arising to ensure your project is successful; and how to successfully close out your project. There will be short practical planning exercises to give you experience of the process, and guidance on priority focus areas across years 1-3 of your PhD.
Course Code: RSDC 6001
RDF Domain: B1-2, C1-2, D1
Target Group: Year 1 PGRs
Format: 3 hours online OR 3 hours in person
Introduction to Python Programming
This course is an introduction to simple programming in Python for non-programmers. The course which will enable you to write simple programs to manipulate and analyse data.
By the end you will be able to:
- Understand what a computer program is
- use the IDLE Shell and Editor windows
- write a simple print script
- run a Python script from the command prompt
- include comments in Python scripts
- assign values to variables Use arithmetic operators in Python
- use If statements in Python
- use For and While Loops in Python
- manipulate text using Python Open
- save text based files within a Python script
Instructions on how to access Python will be sent in advance of the workshop. Please bring a laptop with Python access already set up with you to this programme.
Course Code: RSDA 6205
RDF Domain: A2, C2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 9 hours, split over 3 workshops (3 hours each) online OR on campus
Introduction to Qualtrics
Qualtrics is the University of Glasgow preferred online platform for doing survey research. It enables you to collect and analyse many kinds of digital data. In this workshop you will learn the basics of creating, distributing, and viewing survey results. It will cover the basics of how to navigate the platform, how to design and format question types, and how to use the data analysis features. This workshop is introductory and is aimed at people with little or no experience with Qualtrics.
You have access to Qualtrics through your MyGlasgow account.
Course Code: RSDA 6216
RDF Domain: A1, C1, C2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 3 hours online OR 3 hours on campus
Introduction to SPSS
SPSS is a statistical package particularly suited to evaluating social science and survey data. In this course you will learn about the variety of user interfaces, data and command files, graphical representation of data and the philosophy behind the package. A familiarity of computing and statistical procedures is advised. Instructions on how to access SPSS will be sent in advance of the workshop. You will be expected to ensure you have access before attending.
Course Code: RSDA 6207
RDF Domain: A2, C2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 2.5 hours online OR 2.5 hours on campus
Word: Creating a Thesis
At the end of your research you will prepare the lengthy, complex documents that is your thesis or dissertation. You can make these final months much easier by setting up your document templates well from the start. This highly practical 2-part course covers in depth the tools within MS Word 2016 that automate the creation of high-quality documents. You will learn how to set up and use templates based on university guidelines, create automatic tables (such as tables of contents/figures/tables) and create and apply styles to make your final thesis effortlessly elegant.
Course Code: RSDA 6203
RDF Domain: A3, D2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 6 hours, split over 2 workshops (3 hours each) online OR on campus
Writing a Data Management Plan with DMPOnline
The University and most funding bodies require researchers who collect data as part of their work to write a Data Management Plan (DMP). These typically state what data will be created and how, and outline the plans for sharing and preservation, noting what is appropriate given the nature of the data and any restrictions that may need to be applied. The University of Glasgow recommends that researchers use DMPonline, a flexible web-based tool, to create DMPs. The course will provide guidance on using DMPonline and an introduction to data management planning. You will have an opportunity to draft a DMP with support from instructors. This course is intended for researchers who are at a stage of their projects where they are ready to produce a Data Management Plan. It is recommended that you first complete the online training here.
Course Code: RSDC 6030
RDF Domain: B1-2, C1-2
Target Group: All PGRs.
Format: 1 hour online
Preparing for Research Fieldwork
This course is for researchers undertaking independent fieldwork or research-related travel in the UK or abroad. It covers risk assessments, and physical and emotional wellbeing, as part of the fieldwork process. It aims:
- To raise awareness of some of the challenges - physical and emotional- that you might be faced with during fieldwork and provide information to help you plan a safe, happy and productive trip;
- To guide you through University support, policies, resources and training which can help you in the planning stages (such as writing a risk assessment), as well as during your trip and on your return.
All fieldwork experiences are unique. This resource won't answer all of your questions but should give you enough guidance to get started with planning a safe and successful trip. On completion you may realise you need additional training or support to ensure your safety. For some topics you will need to seek guidance from your college or school, or from disciplinary peers. The course flags up how to access other support such as personal safety or fragile environment training, which are supported by the UofG Security Teams. Access the course via this link.
Complete this course online
RDF Domain: B2, C2
Target Group: PGRs undertaking fieldwork
Format: Online self-paced training
Qualitative Methods in Conflict-Affected Ares
This one-day workshop provides researchers with an opportunity to explore the challenges that surround qualitative research in/on contexts in the UK and abroad, where conflict and traumatic experiences have shaped people's memories and testimonies. Erin Jessee will guide workshop participants through a critical evaluation of the ‘best practices’ in ethnographic, oral historical, and archival methods, including the potential pitfalls that can arise in using these qualitative methods when conducting research with conflict-affected people and communities. The workshop's format will include mini-lectures, class discussions, and practical exercises, to ensure workshop participants have opportunities to think through the specific challenges that they might encounter in their own research projects.
Course Code: RSDC 6041
RDF Domain: C2, D1-3, A1-3
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: All-day workshop on campus
Engaged Communication
Establishing a Writing Practice (Sciences)
This workshop is intended to allow you to reflect on your writing habits and offer strategies to help you establish a productive writing practice. The session will cover topics such as:
- What level of writing is expected of you
- How to structure your writing time
- How to become more comfortable in your writing
- How to get the most out of supervisory meetings
Course Code: RSDA 6082
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: Year 1 MVLS and COSE PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Effective Writing 1 (Sciences)
This workshop is intended to encourage you to look at your own writing habits, identify strategies that work for you, and think more generally about academic writing. The session will cover topics such as:
- Assessing your writing practice
- Process and product writing
- Using critical reading to inform your writing style
Course Code: RSDA 6086
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All MVLS and COSE PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Effective Writing 2 (Sciences)
This workshop is intended to give you an overview of the grammar skills you will need to produce concise, coherent writing. The session will cover topics such as:
- A general overview of punctuation
- Most common errors in academic writing
- How to effectively use sentence structure to convey meaning
- Proofreading and editing
Course Code: RSDA 6087
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All MVLS and COSE PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
The Literature Review (Sciences)
The workshop is intended to give you an understanding of the purpose of the literature review, and tips and techniques on how to manage the writing of the review. The session will cover topics such as:
- What role the literature review plays
- The relationship between your work and existing research
- Different structural approaches
- How to talk about other people’s work
- Using the literature review to hone your thinking
Course Code: RSDA 6083
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All MVLS and COSE PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Structuring Your Dissertation (Sciences)
This workshop is intended to give you a range of tools to deal with the structuring of your dissertation. The session will cover topics such as:
- Thinking about chapter structure
- Paragraph building methods
- Editing and proofreading techniques for coherence and concision
Course Code: RSDA 6085
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All MVLS and COSE PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Writing for Publication (Sciences)
This workshop is intended to provide you with a general overview of writing for publication. The session will cover topics such as:
- The publication process
- Types of journal articles
- Making time for writing for publications
- Dealing with feedback
Course Code: RSDA 6088
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All MVLS and COSE PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Establishing a Writing Practice (Arts and Social Science)
This workshop is intended to allow you to reflect on your writing habits and offer strategies to help you establish a productive writing practice. The session will cover topics such as:
- What level of writing is expected of you
- How to structure your writing time
- How to become more comfortable in your writing
- How to get the most out of supervisory meetings
Course Code: RSDA 6076
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: Year 1 Arts and COSS PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Effective Writing 1 (Arts and Social Science)
This workshop is intended to encourage you to look at your own writing habits, identify strategies that work for you, and think more generally about academic writing. The session will cover topics such as:
- Assessing your writing practice
- Process and product writing
- Using critical reading to inform your writing style
Course Code: RSDA 6079
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All Arts and COSS PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Effective Writing 2 (Arts and Social Science)
This workshop is intended to give you an overview of the grammar skills you will need to produce concise, coherent writing. The session will cover topics such as:
- A general overview of punctuation
- Most common errors in academic writing
- How to effectively use sentence structure to convey meaning
- Proofreading and editing
Course Code: RSDA 6089
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All Arts and COSS PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
The Literature Review (Arts and Social Science)
The workshop is intended to give you an understanding of the purpose of the literature review, and tips and techniques on how to manage the writing of the review. The session will cover topics such as:
- What role the literature review plays
- The relationship between your work and existing research
- Different structural approaches
- How to talk about other people’s work
- Using the literature review to hone your thinking
Course Code: RSDA 6075
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All Arts and COSS PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Structuring Your Dissertation (Arts and Social Science)
This workshop is intended to give you a range of tools to deal with the structuring of your dissertation. The session will cover topics such as:
- Thinking about chapter structure
- Paragraph building methods
- Editing and proofreading techniques for coherence and concision
Course Code: RSDA 6078
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All Arts and COSS PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Writing for Publication (Arts and Social Science)
This workshop is intended to provide you with a general overview of writing for publication. The session will cover topics such as:
- The publication process
- Types of journal articles
- Making time for writing for publications
- Dealing with feedback
Course Code: RSDA 6081
RDF Domain: A1-3, B1, D2
Target Group: All Arts and COSS PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 1.5 hours on campus
Academic Posters
At some point in your research career you will probably produce a poster presentation. Whether for an academic conference, public engagement event, or an internal poster session. As many conferences have pivoted online, you might find yourself presenting virtual as well as in-person posters. This workshop introduces the principles of good design, such as layout, structure, colour, font, and content selection, that enhance the quality of academic posters. It also introduces the new, and increasingly popular, academic poster layout pioneered by Mike Morrison, and explains how you can use and adapt this format.
Course Code: RSDD 6081
RDF Domains: A3, D2-3
Target Group: All researcher
Duration: 3 hours online
Convincing Conference Presentations
The conference experience is an essential part of academic, but are you making the most of the opportunity? This interactive online workshop will show you how to make an impact at a conference taking you through how to plan and deliver an attention-grabbing presentation. Discover how to break your research into memorable and sharable segments, build rapport with your audience and learn the secrets of movement and voice to hold audience focus. The session will also show you how to use call to actions to find collaborators, solve problems and build connections.
Course Code: RSDD 6097
RDF Domain: B1, B3, D2-3
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 3 hours online OR 3 hours on campus
Introduction to Research Impact
In today’s evolving research environment, research impact has become a significant part of academia. Understanding how your research potentially affects or benefits wider society (what we call ‘impact’) can be helpful in shaping your research. Working towards the potential impacts arising from your research can help you build new transferrable skills and strengthen your academic career. This workshop introduces the concept of research impact, points to impact opportunities, and provides frameworks for designing an impact plan.
Course Code: RSDD 6071
RDF Domain: D1-3
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 2 hours on campus
PowerPoint Essentials
A great slide deck can help you be a more confident and compelling public speaker. Whether at conferences, seminars, interviews, or teaching, this workshop aims to banish ugly and confusing PowerPoints! There will be help with slide structure and design, as well as ways to make your slides more accessible and use PowerPoint to work on your delivery with rehearsal coach. The workshop is interactive, and you will be working on slides in your university Office 365.
This course was previously called PowerPoint Power-Up: for 2022-23 PowerPoint PowerUp has been redesigned as a more advanced course.
Course Code: RSDD 6004
RDF Domain: A3, D2-3
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 2 hours online
PowerPoint Power-Up
A great slide deck elevates a presentation. This workshop is for people who are comfortable with the basics of slide design and PowerPoint but want to explore more of the functionality it offers. It will show you how using Themes, Master Slides, Templates, Action Buttons can make it easy to adapt a deck for different audiences. Plus you will get familiar with the wide range of animation and transition effects, sound and video options that can power-up your presentation and make your slides stand out from the crowd.
Course Code: RSDD 6096
RDF Domain: A3, D2-3
Target Group: Researchers with some knowledge of PowerPoint
Format: 2.5 hours online OR 2.5 hours on campus
Writing Freely: Blogging About Your Research
Blogging is turning into a popular format for communicating research processes and results to different audiences. It may seem straightforward compared to other academic writing platforms but taking the leap into publishing blogposts can be daunting. If you would like to start blogging or blog more frequently, this workshop is for you. We will explore what blogging can add to your academic practice; how to use it to support your research; and what will get (and keep) your readers interested.
Course Code: RSDD 6074
RDF Domain: A3, D2-3
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 3 hours online OR 3 hours on campus
Polishing your Presentation Skills
This workshop will help you get ready to give a memorable and confident presentation. This is a highly interactive session for researchers where you’ll examine and practise the skills required to give an impactful talk. You will gain an overview of the key presentation skills for both in person and online delivery and learn about the key stages of preparing to present and how to create your own delivery style to maximise the impact of your talk. You’ll emerge more confident, energised and ready to deliver your next presentation.
Course Code: RSDD 6094
RDF Domain: B1, D2-3
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 2 hours online OR 2 hours on campus
Communicating Visually
Various aspects of research require visuals to aid communication. This full-day in-person masterclass will get you thinking and creating in the visual storytelling space. In the morning you will explore creating props and visuals for public engagement, as well as novel ways to display your data such as infographics. After lunch attention turns from static to moving visuals, exploring animation for research dissemination. Come ready to do some hands-on activities that reimagine your own research communication.
Course Code: RSDD 6076
RDF Domain: A3, D2-3
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 1 day on campus
Theatre Techniques for Presenters
Bring the skills of the theatre into your academic presentations. This workshop explores the physical skills needed to present effectively and with the maximum impact. Learn practical ways to develop your vocal technique, enabling you to talk with power, clarity, and confidence, and how to ensure that your body language works for you rather than against you. You should leave the session knowing how to calm down nerves, use your voice effectively, project confidence through your body language and command an audience, whether online or in person. Note that the online and on campus versions of this workshop are different time lengths. Either way, though, prepare to be on your feet and make some noise (housemates and pets be warned!).
Course Code: RSDD 6104
RDF Domain: B1, B3, D2-3
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 1.5 hours online OR 3 hours on campus
Lasting Impressions for 3MT (Sciences)
A thesis may be up to 80,000 words long and would take 10 hours to explain. Think you can do it in just 3 minutes to an audience of non-specialists using a single, static PowerPoint slide? The 3 Minute Thesis is a friendly academic competition that enables you to hone your communication and presentation skills. This one-off training for researchers in the Colleges of Science and Engineering and MVLS will help you to find the story in your research, shape, reframe and deliver it for a popular audience.
Course Code: RSDD 6105
RDF Domain: B1, B3, D2-3
Target Group: COSE and MVLS PGRs planning to enter the 3MT competition
Format: 3 hours online
Lasting Impressions for 3MT (Arts and Social Science)
A thesis may be up to 80,000 words long and would take 10 hours to explain. Think you can do it in just 3 minutes to an audience of non-specialists using a single, static PowerPoint slide? The 3 Minute Thesis is a friendly academic competition that enables you to hone your communication and presentation skills. This one-off training for researchers in the Colleges of Arts and Social Sciences will help you to find the story in your research, shape, reframe and deliver it for a popular audience.
Course Code: RSDD 6106
RDF Domain: B1, B3, D2-3
Target Group: ARTS and COSS PGRs planning to enter the 3MT competition
Format: 3 hours online
Constructive Conversations
Working with Your Supervisor (Sciences)
The relationship between research student and supervisor is critical to your PhD, so it is important to develop an effective working partnership from the start. This session, for researchers in the Colleges of Science and Engineering and MVLS, will look at the likely roles and responsibilities of supervisor and researcher. We will discuss the research cycle and the changing demands on students as the PhD progresses; the Code of Practice for Research Students, so you are aware of the responsibilities of supervisor, school and institution; and good practice for developing a professional relationship.
Course Code: RSDD 6046
RDF Domain: B1-2, C1-2
Target Group: MVLS and COSE PGRs
Format: 3 hours online OR 3 hour on campus
Working with Your Supervisor (Arts and Social Science)
The relationship between research student and supervisor is critical to your PhD, so it is important to develop an effective working partnership from the start. This session, for researchers in the Colleges of Arts and Social Sciences, will look at the likely roles and responsibilities of supervisor and researcher. We will discuss the research cycle and the changing demands on students as the PhD progresses; the Code of Practice for Research Students, so you are aware of the responsibilities of supervisor, school and institution; and good practice for developing a professional relationship.
Course Code: RSDD 6083
RDF Domain: B1-2, C1-2
Target Group: ARTS and COSS PGRs
Format: 3 hours online OR 3 hour on campus
Mind Your Mate
The University offers the ‘Mind Your Mate’ training programme to help empower everyone at UofG to support themselves and each other. This interactive workshop covers basic mental health awareness and suicide prevention skills. The overall aim of Mind Your Mate is to reduce the barriers preventing people from accessing the help they need, provide participants with the confidence and skills to help someone in crisis and reduce the stigma around discussing mental health and suicide.
Course Code: RSDB 6095
RDF Domain: B1, D2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 2 hours online
Motivation and Procrastination
Procrastination is a way of easing our own discomfort. Discomfort because the task is too hard, too boring, too big, too scary. The difficulty with procrastinating is that it makes you feel better for a moment but it does nothing to fix the reason the task feels uncomfortable to begin with. It is still too big, too hard, too scary, or too boring the next time you sit down to do it. And so the cycle repeats.
In this webinar we discuss ways to:
- Identify these procrastination loops when they start to unfold
- Identify some of the thoughts underlying the discomfort and reframe them
- Employ alternative strategies that alleviate the discomfort and make the task less difficult, scary, hard or boring
- Explore drivers of our motivation
Course Code: RSDB 6096
RDF Domain: B1-2
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 1 hour online
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Have you ever had the feeling that you're out of your depth and it's only a matter of time before you're found out? Don't worry, most of us have! While a certain amount of self-doubt is normal, and probably helpful, persistent imposter feelings of not being good enough or measuring up to others - despite evidence to the contrary - can hold us back from pursuing our goals and negatively impact our mental health. This two-part psychoeducational workshop will develop our understanding of imposter syndrome and help us begin to build our own toolkit to manage and overcome our imposter feelings.
Please note, while sessions are designed to be an interactive and safe space where participants may wish to share some of their own experiences, they are educational in format and not intended to be group therapy.
Course Code: RSDB 6114
RDF Domain: B1-B2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 4 hours online, split over 2 workshops (2 hours each)
Overcoming Perfectionism
Many of us believe perfectionism helps us to excel, however we often don’t consider how our unrelenting high standards can negatively impact our lives. This two-part psychoeducational workshop will develop our understanding of perfectionism, how to recognise perfectionism within ourselves and help us begin to build our own toolkit to manage and overcome our perfectionism.
Please note, while sessions are designed to be an interactive and safe space where participants may wish to share some of their own experiences, they are educational in format and not intended to be group therapy.
Course Code: RSDB 6115
RDF Domain: B1-B2
Target Group: All PGRs
Format: 4 hours online, split over 2 workshops (2 hours each)
Taming the Inner Critic
We all have an inner voice in our heads. It is an essential part of what makes us human and it is designed to help us navigate the world and to keep us safe. The problem is, in order to keep us safe it tends to focus on the negatives, the perceived threats, and all the possible ways that we might mess up, fall down, or embarrass ourselves. In this webinar:
- we explore how our inner voice shapes our thoughts, our mood, our choices, and our productivity
- we address the critical inner voices that drive perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and self-doubt that sabotage our motivation and enjoyment for our work
- we learn how to rewrite that inner critic to a voice that allows for more mental space and energy to think, create, be present, and thrive
Course Code: RSDB 6012
RDF Domain: B1-2
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 1 hour online
Burnout and Wellbeing
Burnout is more than exhaustion. Burnout is mental, physical and emotional and it leaves us feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, unmotivated. Unfortunately, burnout is something academics are experiencing in high numbers currently.
In this webinar, we will learn:
- what burnout is (and isn’t)
- why it happens, the key triggers
- what to do if you find yourself burnt-out.
- what we can do to avoid it if you think you’re getting close.
- how to put the necessary fail-safes in place so that it doesn’t happen to you
Course Code: RSDB 6111
RDF Domain: B1-2
Target Group: All researchers
Format: 1 hour online
Innovative Ideas
StartUp Something Good
From community potteries to veg box delivery services, Scotland is full of social enterprises that make a difference to people and communities. This one-day in person workshop gives an insight into what it takes to set up a social enterprise, charity or social action group, and the distinctive nature of values-based business. There will be inspirational guest speakers alongside advice around practicalities such as funding, strategy and getting the right team. This is a hand-on day, which will get you working with others to develop and pitch solutions to real life problems, and get a feel for the teamwork and leadership that underpins starting up something good.
Course Code: RSDD 6032
RDF Domains: A2-3, B3, D1, D3
Target Group: PGRs interested in social enterprise, charities, or local action
Format: 1 day on campus