What researcher development opportunities are available?
Our PGR researcher development programme consists of a wide range of workshops, resources and events, intended to support you to complete your research as well as support your personal and professional development. Our programme of workshops typically runs from October-May each year, with online resources available whenever you need them. To break down our programme and help you to prioritise based on your individual needs, our provision is structured according to the Vitae RDF. To find out more, visit this page.
How can I view and book workshops?
Go to our booking page and select the relevant tab. Follow the link for each workshop to book your place.
Who can I contact if I have a question?
What if I can’t make the date of a workshop?
Many of our workshops are repeated throughout the year, so check to see if there is another date listed. You can also email us on pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk to find out if future workshops are planned.
You should also visit our Canvas resources page where you can find resources and links related to different aspects of the researcher development framework.
What training is mandatory?
All PGRs must complete a small amount of online training by the time of Confirmation of Candidature (3 months into your studies). These courses are available on a Canvas course called ‘Mandatory Training for PGR Confirmation of Candidature’ which you should be able to view on your Canvas dashboard. The courses are:
- GDPR (data protection)
- Research Integrity
- Diversity in the Workplace
- Safeguarding and Prevent Awareness
If you have any issues with the courses or access to Canvas email pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk
Can I check I have completed all mandatory training?
You don’t need to provide proof that you have completed all mandatory training as this is recorded by Canvas, but if you want to check or have any queries please email pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk
What online resources are available?
We have two Canvas courses that provide access to a range of resources whenever you need them.
The Canvas course named Resources for Postgraduate Researchers is a resource bank with a wide range of documents, online courses and links organised according to the Vitae RDF. It’s a good idea to bookmark the course and explore the resources available when thinking about your development needs. We continuously update this course so if you come across any resources that you think should be added, or if anything isn’t working, please let us know.
The Canvas course named Mandatory Training for PGR Confirmation of Candidature provides access to the online training courses that all PGRs must complete at the start of their period of study. You can access this course through your Canvas dashboard.
All PGRs are automatically enrolled on both Canvas courses but if you have any issues with access or questions please contact pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk
Are workshops recorded?
Our workshops are designed around live interactive activities so are not typically recorded. If you cannot attend a workshop you can check to see if there is another date listed. You can also email us on pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk to find out if future workshops are planned.
You should also visit our Canvas resources bank where you can find resources and links related to different aspects of the researcher development framework.
If accessing recorded workshops would be helpful in terms of accessibility or reasonable adjustments, please email us on pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk to discuss this.
Where do workshops take place?
Our workshops run on both campuses and online. You will see the location of each workshop when booking so please pay attention to this and ensure you can attend in that specific location or format. If a workshop is delivered on campus, there will not be an option to join online but we often repeat popular workshops and try to vary the format or location each time.
Many of our on-campus activities take place in the PGR Hyb on Singleton Campus, where you can also book meeting rooms or study space.
I’m a part-time student so can’t attend training during the day. What options are available?
Many of our workshops are repeated throughout the year, so check to see if there is another date listed. You can also email us on pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk to find out if future workshops are planned or what other support we might be able to offer. We list our workshop schedule one semester at a time, so this may give you time to plan ahead to allow you to attend key workshops, depending on your schedule.
You should also visit our Canvas resources bank where you can find resources and links related to different aspects of the researcher development framework. These resources can be accessed at any time.
How can I work out what training I should complete?
Completing a Development Needs Analysis (DNA), in discussion with your supervisor, will help you to reflect on your current skills and knowledge and prioritise your development needs over the course of your PGR study. You can access the DNA template here.
What can I expect when attending a workshop or event?
Visit this page to find out more about what to expect from our workshops.
Can I have the slides from a workshop I attended?
If slides are available, we typically send these out to everyone who has completed the register for a workshop, but if you have not received these please email pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk
Can I have a copy of my training record?
We offer transcripts that list completed workshops in July each year. Please look out for an email from pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk with details.
I need support in an area that isn’t listed in the programme of workshops or available online resources. What should I do?
It’s a good idea to discuss this with your supervisor as there may be opportunities linked to your faculty, research programme, or academic societies or networks in your field. You may want to review training opportunities provided by the National Centre for Research Methods. Some of these have a fee to pay which could be covered by your research training support grant if you have one. You can also get in touch with us on pgrtraining@swansea.ac.uk for advice.