Researcher Development Framework

Paper 2

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PLAN

During your research degree programme you will develop a range of skills to give breadth to your learning and to aid you after you graduate. This Postgraduate Research Skills Development Plan will help you evaluate your learning needs each year and develop a timetable for enhancing your skills. This Plan is structured around the domains and sub-domains of the Vitae Researcher Development Statement (RDS) which sets out the knowledge, behaviours, and attributes that you are expected to demonstrate as a researcher. The RDS has been designed as a summary of those things that characterise an effective and highly skilled researcher and which graduate employers look for. Please visit the Graduate School and Vitae websites for further information concerning the RDS and the Researcher Development Framework (RDF), and to access additional support materials and resources.

You may also find it useful to supplement your developmental thinking by using the Vitae designed tool to support the RDF. This can be downloaded from the Vitae site. The RDS is derived from the RDF.

How to use this Plan

The Plan is designed to help and support you in your development as a researcher. You are not expected to have a development plan for every key descriptor each year of your studies. Each year you will identify, in consultation with your supervisory team, which skills you should focus on developing and then write a brief development plan in the relevant text box. Not all of the key descriptors will be appropriate for your area of research and for some you may feel your skill level is adequate for your needs. The Plan is flexible and allows you and your supervisory team to customise your skill development programme to your particular needs.

Once you have reviewed your skills development needs your should complete the training programme page at the end of this document.

Your skills plan will help you and your supervisors decide what development activities you need to undertake. Every full-time postgraduate research student must engage with skills development activities equivalent to 10 UEL PGR training credits (5 for part-time students). See the UEL Postgraduate Research Skills Development Programme document for greater detail.

You must update this plan regularly (at least every 12 months) and present it as part of the documentation for your Annual Review. Your Director of Studies must sign the current copy of your Plan before you submit it for Annual Review.

Your name:

Your UEL Student Number:

Your programme (e.g. MPhil or PhD):

Name of your Director of Studies:

Name of your Academic School:

The date you first enrolled for your postgraduate research programme:

Are you currently enrolled in full-time or part-time mode?:

Your Director of Studies must confirm this as a true record of your skills development before you submit it as a document for your Annual Review.

Signature of your Director of Studies:

Date:

Example

Domain A: Knowledge and intellectual abilities

This domain contains the knowledge and intellectual abilities needed to be able to carry out excellent research.

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
A1 Knowledge base

1. Subject knowledge

/ I completed an MA in 19th century social and cultural theory in the year before I came to UEL. I feel that currently I have adequate knowledge to allow me to pursue my studies but want to ensure I stay on top of current developments. / Attend seminars and lectures in my school and at external organisations (e.g. the student History Societies at KCL and Goldsmiths).

2. Research methods – theoretical knowledge

/ I passed core and optional modules addressing current theoretical approaches to the study of history on my masters. I feel that my current level of development is sufficient but would like to return to this at my end of year review. / Reconsider at end of year review.

3. Research methods – practical application

/ I intend to use social network analysis to examine economic and political connections. I feel I have sufficient understanding of social network theory but need to develop my practical abilities with the relevant software package (UCINET or similar). / Purchase student version of software and attend training sessions.

4. Information seeking

/ I feel my level of development is sufficient.

5. Information literacy and management

/ It would be useful to have a working knowledge of a relational database such as Access. Otherwise I feel I have sufficient competence in this area. / Attend UEL sessions for use of Access.

6. Languages

/ Not applicable.

7. Academic literacy and numeracy

/ I feel that I have a sufficient level of development in terms of academic literacy but the move into social network analysis will require me to deal with some numeric principles and concepts that are unfamiliar. I do not feel confident in this area. / To discuss with Director of Studies in the first instance and agree a development plan.

Domain A: Knowledge and intellectual abilities

This domain contains the knowledge and intellectual abilities needed to be able to carry out excellent research.

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
A1 Knowledge base

1. Subject knowledge

2. Research methods – theoretical knowledge

3. Research methods – practical application

4. Information seeking

5. Information literacy and management

6. Languages

7. Academic literacy and numeracy

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
A2 Cognitive abilities

1. Analysing

2. Synthesising

3. Critical thinking

4. Evaluating

5. Problem solving

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
A3 Creativity

1. Inquiring mind

2. Intellectual insight

3. Innovation

4. Argument construction

5. Intellectual risk

Domain B: Personal effectiveness

This domain contains the personal qualities, career and self-management skills required to take ownership for and control of professional development.

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /

B1 Personal qualities

1. Enthusiasm

2. Perseverance

3. Integrity

4. Self-confidence

5. Self-reflection

6. Responsibility

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
B2 Self-management

1. Preparation and prioritisation

2. Commitment to research

3. Time management

4. Responsiveness to change

5. Work-life balance

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
B3 Professional and career development

1. Career management

2. Continuing professional development

3. Responsiveness to opportunities

4. Networking

5. Reputation and esteem

Domain C: Research governance and organisation

This domain contains the knowledge of the standards, requirements and professional conduct that are needed for the effective management of research.

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
C1 Professional conduct

1. Health and safety

2. Ethics, principles and sustainability

3. Legal requirements

4. IPR and copyright

5. Respect and confidentiality

6. Attribution and co-authorship

7. Appropriate practice

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
C2 Research management

1. Research strategy

2. Project planning and delivery

3. Risk management

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
C3 Finance, funding and resources

1. Income and funding generation

2. Financial management

3. Infrastructure and resources

Domain D: Engagement, influence and impact

This domain contains the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage with, influence and impact on the academic, social, cultural and economic context.

Sub-domains and key descriptors / Current level of development / Development plan /
D1 Working with others

1. Collegiality

2. Team working

3. People management

4. Supervision

5. Mentoring

6. Influence and leadership

7. Collaboration
8. Equality and diversity

Sub-domains and key descriptors

/ Current level of development / Development plan
D2 Communication and dissemination

1. Communication methods

2. Communication media

3. Publication

Sub-domains and key descriptors

/ Current level of development / Development plan
D3 Engagement and impact

1. Teaching

2. Public engagement

3. Enterprise

4. Policy

5. Society and culture

6. Global citizenship

Once you have evaluated your current skill levels and discussed your development needs with your supervisors you should complete a plan for the relevant academic year. When you complete your plan, forward it to your Research Degrees Leader who will be able to advise you about the UEL PGR credits for your planned activities and other available development opportunities.

You should update this plan when you review your skills development progress at your regular meetings with your supervisory team. Your plan and skills development activity will be reviewed and discussed at your annual monitoring review.

N.B. You must put together a portfolio of skills development activities. It is not acceptable to reach your development credit total through multiple attendances at similar activities.

Development programme for the period ______to ______(academic year)

Development need
(You can refer to the relevant sub-domain) / Development/action required / Date development need agreed with supervisors / Planned
completion date for development / Evidence of completion / UEL PGR credits
(where applicable)

Total UEL PGR credits for the academic year: