"The Engaging Researcher"

Are you interested in engaging the public in your research but not sure where to start?

Have you done some public engagement activity but would like to improve your knowledge and skills?

Do you have significant experience of achieving mutually beneficial public engagement activity but want to improve your practice?

This one-day event in Manchester on 6th July is aimed at researchers with any level of experience of public engagement. The day will include presentations from key-note speakers and the chance to attend several short workshops based around different areas of public engagement. You will also have an opportunity to start to develop a public engagement project together with exhibitors who will be present on the day, and apply for funding of £1000 to get the activity off the ground.

This event is run by Vitae, and is free to attend. More details and booking information can be found here.

The Researcher development framework consultation - Have your say!

Many of you are probably familiar with, or have at least heard of, the Joint Skills Statement, produced by the UK Research Councils in 2001 to outline the skills that PhD students would be expected to demonstrate or develop during their research training. This document is now undergoing a major review, and is likely to be renamed "The Researcher Development Framework". This document will not only cover the skills a researcher should gain during a doctoral degree, but will be widened to include a longer period of the research career and will also describe skills, knowledge, behaviours, qualities and attitudes.

At the moment this document is in a consultation period, and Vitae, who are managing the project, are very keen to hear the views of as many researchers as possible on the proposed framework. Details of the document and the consultation can be found here. There is a special set of questions for individual researchers to respond the the consultation.

The deadline for responses is 11th December, and I would encourage anyone to have a look at the proposed framework and voice your opinion on the questionnaire. Once the document is finalised it will have a strong influence on the way institutions support researchers and on the way researchers are viewed by employers, so it is important that Vitae get it right, and that it reflects the views of the researchers themselves.

Leadership in action - free course!

Vitae are running a 3-day leadership skills course at the end of July in the Lake District. Places are free for PhD students from anywhere in the country, and will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Click on the link for more information and booking details.

This sounds like an excellent course for anyone wishing to develop their leadership skills and style, gain confidence and identify how leadership skills can benefit them now and in the future. It is also a great opportunity to meet other researchers and spend a few days in a beautiful part of the country!