Researcher skills development

The researcher development framework (RDF), created by Vitae UK, is an extremely useful resource that maps the knowledge, behaviour and attributes of successful researchers allowing you to frame your own abilities in this context and plan your personal development.

The framework is designed to help you focus attention on areas where you may benefit from further training or practice whether this relates to academic areas or transferrable skills like effective communication, presentation skills, teaching, or leadership opportunities.

You can use the resources available from the BCCS and the Bristol Doctoral College (see below) to help you access the training and development opportunities you need and to record your achievements to demonstrate them to others (e.g. funders, employers).

In addition to the taught component of your PhD the BCCS also provides researcher skills development opportunities in the form of training sessions, workshops, discussion groups, or projects (e.g. competitions).

These opportunities will be communicated to you with the expectation that you take part as an EPSRC-funded PhD researcher. You are also welcome to communicate development suggestions to the BCCS Manager.

Complexity Seminars

The BCCS will allocate you to at least one presentation slot in the Complexity Seminar event series.

The aim is to allow you to gain valuable experience in science communication skills, encourage discussion, access feedback from peers, and to develop new contacts from amongst those interested in your research.

It is a 'safe-space' in which to practice engaging an audience using a variety of formats which is especially useful in preparing for departmental talks or conference presentations.

You are welcome to discuss your presentation date with the BCCS Manager to make it more useful for you as a form of practice (e.g. prior to a conference). 

As a member of the University's postgraduate research (PGR) community you are eligible to register onto any of the courses which form part of the skills training portfolio managed by the Bristol Doctoral College (BDC).

You should be able to access a listing of available BDC courses, workshops and talks by logging into the Skills Training and Review (STaR) system.

The BDC team manage the STaR system and are also a useful point of contact for skills and development resources within the University.

Alternatively, you can access the booking system for academic staff (and postgraduate researcher) skills development training, OnCourse.