Postgraduate research skills training and support

A range of online training opportunities from Organisational Development are available to support your personal, professional and educational development as researchers.

All of the workshops seek to create an interactive, engaging and supportive environment that builds a sense of PGR community.

How to book

Scheduled and planned sessions are summarised below with links to further information, locations and booking details where currently available. 

Training courses

Research Writing Retreat

Our Research Writing Retreat has been developed in collaboration with Library Services to provide an environment for you to focus on your writing with built in accountability and coffee breaks! Booking via Proficio.

Three Minute Thesis Competition Training

The 3MT competition happens annually and we provide initial training in how to explain your research in an engaging way in 3 minutes to a non-specialist audience.

Presentation Skills

Presentation Skills explores how to share your research with others at conferences as well as considering how to present your ideas and expertise in any presentations you in other contexts.

Academic Posters for Conferences

Within this workshop we explore what makes a successful poster, how to create your own and some top tips for presenting.

Time to Present

The Time to Present workshop does what it says on the tin! It offers you time to practice your presentation skills to a small audience and gain some feedback.

Preparing for the Viva 

Preparing for the Viva provides a platform to ask questions and explore what goes on during a viva. We give you valuable information on how to prepare and the process involved.

Making the Most of your Supervisor

Making the Most of your Supervisor explores ways in which to build an effective working relationship and to understand the expectations and requirements of the respective roles during the PhD journey.

Time / Project Management

This short session introduces a number of tools and techniques to help you manage your time effectively.

Other support and opportunities

PhD 1:1 Coaching Pre- and Post-Viva

PhD 1:1 Coaching Pre- and Post-Viva is for those less than six months away from their submission, or those who have just had their viva.

PhD 1:1 Coaching

PhD 1:1 Coaching is also available at any point in the PhD journey with an opportunity to have some confidential space and time to reflect on and develop an understanding of specific needs, work through ideas and find ways of supporting yourself in this challenging phase of your study.

Newcomers

Our Network for Early Career Essex Researchers (Newcomers) provides support to researchers in the early stages of their careers, such as newly-appointed lecturers, post-docs, research fellows and final year PhD students. Find out more about Newcomers through the Library website, and sign up to the mailing list to keep up to date on the latest training and development opportunities.

Cadenza

If you are a PGR student who is also a member of teaching staff, you have the opportunity to gain professional recognition as an Associate Fellow or Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) / Advance HE through our CADENZA programme.