Personal Effectiveness

The session will look at the concept of resilience in relation to the academic research journey and how greater awareness as to the pure meaning of it, can seek to support your confidence, self-belief and greater use of the collaborative research approach to support your learning goals.
We will utilise hermeneutic dialogue circles as an approach to reflection on our current academic studies, and critically discuss their application to supporting improved self-awareness when seeking overcome potential adversities and barriers during our PhD.

Alongside this, there will be the chance to discuss a range of alternative resilience strategies identified as beneficial from a range of industries and organisations; helping to motivate, support and look after your well-being and progress as you seek to either start or complete your PhD.

Session Outcomes
1. Explore the concept of resilience and its relevance to the research journey.
2. Utilise hermeneutic dialogue circles to reflect on the research journey so far
3. Apply resilient learning strategies to help plan for your future

This session explores imposter syndrome in academic and research settings, helping attendees identify and manage their feelings of self-doubt. Through practical strategies and reflective exercises, attendees will learn to build confidence in their research abilities, take charge of their professional development, and foster a more resilient and proactive approach to their careers.

Session Outcomes
1. Recognise and manage feelings of imposter syndrome in research contexts.
2. Build confidence in research skills and capabilities.
3. Take ownership of professional development and career growth.

Creating a personal development plan (PDP) is an important step for anyone pursuing a PhD or embarking on a research journey. This session will guide attendees in reflecting on their progress, identifying the skills and resources they need, and setting clear, achievable goals to support their research objectives. The session will include practical tips for developing an effective and realistic PDP, empowering you to take ownership of your professional growth and succeed throughout the research journey.

Session Outcomes
1. Reflect on research progress and identify areas for development.
2. Set clear, achievable goals aligned with research objectives.
3. Create a practical and realistic personal development plan to support professional growth.

The training session emphasises the significance of research collaboration across all academic disciplines. It focuses on the transition from building professional networks to establishing purposeful, long-term partnerships that enhance the quality and impact of research. The session explores effective collaboration techniques with other researchers in areas such as grant applications, project implementation, and the publication of results. Additionally, the session offers practical advice on how to identify and approach potential collaborators. Attendees will gain the knowledge and strategies necessary to cultivate successful academic collaborations that lead to meaningful and innovative outcomes.

Session Outcomes
1. Distinguish between networking and research collaboration.
2. Apply effective collaboration strategies in your research.
3. Identify and approach potential research collaborators.

This session helps researchers in developing a clear and rigorous methodological framework for their projects. Attendees will explore and critique various research methodologies, enabling them to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and apply them to the complex issues in their own proposals. By the end of the session, researchers will be able to confidently justify their methodological choices and demonstrate how their approach aligns with the objectives of their study.

Session Outcomes
1. Evaluate different research methodologies
2. Apply appropriate methods to address complex research problems.
3. Construct and justify a coherent methodological framework for your study.

This session will concentrate on practical strategies for managing your research project in accordance with your project proposal timelines. Attendees will learn how to break a project into manageable tasks, set achievable milestones, and monitor progress to ensure they stay on track. The session will also discuss effective methods for adjusting plans when challenges occur, prioritising tasks, and balancing competing demands. These strategies will assist researchers in maintaining momentum and efficiently achieving their project objectives. 

Session Outcomes
1. Plan and structure a research project in alignment with the project proposal. 
2. Set realistic milestones and manage timelines effectively. 
3. Monitor progress and adapt strategies to stay on track and meet objectives.