Welcome to this edition of Postgraduate Researcher Training and Development Bulletin.

This bulletin highlights some of the courses we have coming up within the next few months, including Maintaining momentum and focus after upgrade (PGR panel discussion) on Tuesday 25 November. If you are interested in the ethical considerations behind AI- whether you are a user or not- book onto Ethics & AI: What should we be aware of? on Wednesday 26 November.

You can find all the details of our rich collection of online resources available to support you in this bulletin. These are available for you anytime. If you are unable to attend a course, you can find slides from many of our sessions on our PGR Training & Development Resources SharePoint site.

You will also find information about other training and development opportunities across the University and beyond, such as the Coding for Reproducible Research Workshops.

The full list of courses can be found on our upcoming training webpage.

Knowing what research techniques and approaches to use for your research and how to use them gives you the necessary skills to produce high-quality research.

Here are just some of the courses we have on research techniques and approaches:

• Searching Smarter- Advanced Search Techniques (Wednesday 19 November, 13.30-15.00 via MS Teams
• Organising your references with EndNote (Monday 24 November, 13.00-15.00 in person on Streatham Campus in Old Library Training Room 4)
• NEW- Systematic Literature Review (Faculty of HASS & Business School) (Wednesday 26 November, 10.00-11.30 via MS Teams)
• Copyright for Researchers (Tuesday 2 December, 09.30-12.30 in person on Streatham Campus in Old Library Training Room 2)
• Systematic Literature Review (Faculty of HLS) (Wednesday 3 December, 10.30-12.00 via MS Teams)
• NEW- Systematic Literature Review (Faculty of ESE) (Wednesday 28 January, 10.00-11.30 via MS Teams)

Our training sessions are not like traditional lectures- they are interactive sessions involving group work so that you can fully engage with the topic being discussed and can share ideas with your fellow PGRs in a friendly and supportive environment. In order to encourage an open welcoming space for everyone, we ask that you join online sessions in a room where you are able to turn your camera on and speak freely.

If you have any questions around accessibility, please contact researcherdevelopment@exeter.ac.uk to discuss how we can support your participation.

Searching smarter- Advanced Search Techniques (Wednesday 19 November, 13.30-15.00 via MS Teams)

Do you want to be able to search faster and more successfully for electronic resources for your research, learning or teaching? This session will cover advanced search techniques you can use for everything from Google Scholar to Web of Science.

Preparing for your viva (Thursday 20 November, 13.30-15.00 via MS Teams)

The viva examination can feel like the most daunting part of the research degree process. This session will help to `demystify` the viva, talking you through everything from choosing your external examiner to what to expect on the day.

Organising your references with EndNote (Monday 24 November, 13.00-15.00 in person on Streatham Campus in Old Library Training Room 4)

Do you find organising all your references time consuming and difficult? This in-person session shows you how to use EndNote to store, organise and format them for you.

NEW- Systematic Literature Review (Faculty of HASS & Business School) (Wednesday 26 November, 10.00-11.30 via MS Teams)

This session, for PGRs in Faculty of HASS & Business School, will introduce you to a systematic literature review as a specific research methodology.

Copyright for researchers (Tuesday 2 December, 09.30-12.30, in person in Old Library Training Room 4, Streatham Campus)

Would you like to feel more knowledgeable about copyright matters? This in-person session takes a playful approach to copyright training through the use of a card game. You will work as part of a team to think about and discuss a number of common copyright scenarios.

Systematic Literature Review (Faculty of HLS) (Tuesday 2 December, 10.30-12.00 via MS Teams)

This session, for PGRs in Faculty of Health and Life Sciences (HLS), will introduce you to a systematic literature review as a specific research methodology.

Digital tools for research & productivity (Wednesday 3 December, 13.00-14.30 via MS Teams)

This course introduces essential digital tools that enhance research efficiency and overall productivity. You will explore platforms for data collection, organization, collaboration, and task management, learning how to streamline workflows and save valuable time in both academic and professional settings.

Organising your references with EndNote (Monday 8 December, 13.00-15.00 in person on Streatham Campus in Old Library Training Room 2)

Do you find organising all your references time consuming and difficult? This in-person session shows you how to use EndNote to store, organise and format them for you.

Working with Digitized Primary Sources (Wednesday 10 December, 10.00-11.30 via MS Teams)

This course will introduce participants to the range of digitised primary sources available for research.

Did you know that as a PGR at the University of Exeter, you can access the Consortium for the Advancement of Research Methods and Analysis (CARMA) though our institutional account for free? This gives you access to lots of online research methods webinars and resources. Sign up here using your University of Exeter email account (scroll down the page to ‘Find Out More’, then expand the arrow for CARMA (Consortium for the Advancement of Research Methods & Analysis) and follow the registration/sign up instructions).

For other topic areas such as Conducting a Literature Review, Organising your References with End Note, Drafting Your Thesis and How to Thrive in Your Final Year, please see our PGR Training and Development Resources SharePoint and researcher-development.co.uk.

Maintaining momentum and focus after upgrade (Tuesday 25 November, 10.00-11.30 via MS Teams)

You've made it through your upgrade- congratulations! Now what? This interactive panel session will explore the process of the final stages of your research degree and help you prepare for the next steps.  You will hear from current PGRs who will share their own experiences and top tips for maintaining momentum and will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your own strategy in small group breakout rooms.

Creative Skills in Research- Adaptability and Flexibility (Tuesday 25 November, 10.00-16.00 in person at Streatham Campus, Creative Quadrant)

In this session, we will explore the roles of adaptability and flexibility in the creative process. We will explore related themes of ambiguity, iteration, failure and confidence, and introduce practical tools to challenge path dependency and encourage reframing. The session will be interactive, discursive, informal and if we get it right, enjoyable and informative.

Creative Skills in Research- Adaptability and Flexibility (Wednesday 3 December, 10.00-16.00 in person at Penryn Campus, Peter Lanyon Seminar Room 6)

In this session, we will explore the roles of adaptability and flexibility in the creative process. We will explore related themes of ambiguity, iteration, failure and confidence, and introduce practical tools to challenge path dependency and encourage reframing. The session will be interactive, discursive, informal and if we get it right, enjoyable and informative.

Effective Research Planning: Balancing Workload, Time and Uncertainty (Thursday 4 December, 10.00-11.30 via MS Teams)

Doctoral research is rarely linear and often requires balancing competing demands. This workshop provides practical tools for managing workload, sequencing and tracking tasks, and adapting plans in response to uncertainty. The session emphasises structured yet flexible approaches that support effective research practice and sustainable progress and will offer a brief exploration of these key areas:

Wellbeing strategies for PGRs (PGR panel discussion) (Tuesday 9 December, 10.30-12.00 via MS Teams)

By practising self-care and putting in place practical strategies to help you maintain your wellbeing throughout your studies, you will be better placed to deal with difficulties as they arise. This panel session introduces some approaches that current PGRs use and is designed to get you thinking about what you will include in your own wellbeing plan. There will also be opportunities to ask any questions you may have and further connect with your fellow PGRs during the breakout room discussions.

If you’re looking for resources to support your individual, professional, and career development, please take a look at our PGR Career Planning Guide.

Postgraduate research can be challenging at times, but the Wellbeing Services team are available throughout the year, to offer support if you need it. Check out the services available here.

The Wellbeing Thesis offers all sorts of useful resources to help you on your doctoral journey.

For resources on Getting Stuff Done, Developing and Using your LinkedIn Profile, Managing Stress, The Seven Secrets of Successful Researcher and much more, see our PGR Training and Development Resources SharePoint and researcher-development.co.uk.

Making your work open access in ORE (Wednesday 19 November, 11.00-12.00 via MS Teams)

Open access to research publications makes them more visible. This can lead to greater impact, higher citations, and can stimulate new research opportunities and collaborations. The University's open access policy mandates Exeter researchers to make in-scope research outputs available in the institutional repository, ORE (Open Research Exeter), via Symplectic.

Check out researcher-development.co.uk and PGR Training & Development Resources SharePoint site for other useful resources on this topic area.

Research governance and organisation covers areas such as Research Ethics and Health and Safety.

Building your community - PGR speed networking (Tuesday 25 November, 13.00-14.30 online via MS Teams)

Would you like to meet and connect with more of your peers and build your social network? Come and join this interactive, fun and fast paced session where you will have the opportunity to talk to lots of other PGRs. You will be randomly paired up with another person in a breakout room and given two topics to talk about for a few minutes before moving on to meet a new person and then another new person and so on.

Bored of working on your own? Finding it difficult to concentrate? Looking for other people to co-work with online? Then why not join PGR Study Space, which is a welcoming and supportive environment run by PGRs for PGRs. Sign up here.

This resource on research dissemination provides tutorials, tips, and practical guidance to help you plan and implement an effective dissemination strategy, ensuring your research reaches the right audiences. It includes a pre-publication checklist, advice on using academic networking platforms, social media, and engagement events, as well as tips for creating engaging content—such as infographics—and strategies for reaching policy, industry, and other stakeholder groups.

By understanding the most effective platforms, methods, and audiences for sharing your research, you can enhance its visibility, accessibility, and impact. Effective dissemination can also strengthen your academic profile, support future funding applications, facilitate in advancing your career, and help you to build valuable networks and collaborations.

For further support or queries, contact Bethany Knight, our Research Dissemination Librarian, at b.c.knight@exeter.ac.uk.

For resources on Getting Published, Presentation Skills, Writing Conference Abstracts and more, see our PGR Training and Development Resources and researcher-development.co.uk.

The Coding for Reproducible Research training initiative - which runs free-to-access programming training for Staff and Students - is pleased to release details of the initial courses in their workshop programme for this academic year. 

33 spaces are available for each workshop series which will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. To register, complete this booking form.

Please check the course description to make sure the course is suitable for your level of proficiency.

• Languages-focused Drop-in Session – Streatham Campus (1 session, 10.00-13.00, Thursday 27 November)
   

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the Coding for Reproducible Research initiative via CodingForReproducibleResearch@exeter.ac.uk. Further information on our full range of courses, self-assessment quizzes, and self-study learning resources are also available on the programme's website.

Did you know the Library runs its own training programme to help with library skills? It includes events such as:

• library research cafés where you can ask the library staff how to make the most of the Library Search service, identify and use academic databases, and build your online search skills so that you can quickly and easily find research materials to support your studies and research;
• sessions on academic writing and academic listening from English Language Skills Development Team;
• other relevant courses to familiarise yourself with key library skills.

Some courses are discipline-specific or may be aimed at undergraduates/postgraduate-taught students so don't forget to check the details before booking on.

Any questions? Click the 'Ask Us' button on the library webpages to start an online chat or email them at library@exeter.ac.uk.

Thinking about adding a creative element to your research work but not sure where to begin?

Developed by the University’s Arts and Culture team, the Get Creative toolkit offers practical, step-by-step guidance for planning and delivering successful projects with creative collaborators. It combines an interactive online guide with reflective prompts, a downloadable Planning Canvas to take ideas from concept to proposal, and detailed how-to advice on running exhibitions, workshops, performances, and other activities. You’ll also find tips on engagement, communications, finance, evaluation, and commissioning creatives.

The toolkit is a flexible resource to help you explore new approaches and make your projects more engaging, innovative, and impactful. Links below:

• https://www.artsandcultureexeter.co.uk/resources/get-creative
• https://www.artsandcultureexeter.co.uk/resources/get-connected
• https://www.artsandcultureexeter.co.uk/resources/get-inspired
• https://www.artsandcultureexeter.co.uk/resources/get-involved
• https://www.artsandcultureexeter.co.uk/resources/get-learning

Our PGR Training & Development Resources SharePoint site was launched at the beginning of this year. It's the place to go for slides and other resources from courses on our training programme. Refresh your knowledge from courses you have already attended or explore new topics, this resource can be referred to throughout your degree.

The Inclusive Research Hub is a living resource developed by the Inclusive Research Collective in collaboration with the People Development Team at the University of Bristol. It provides an accessible introduction to key concepts and practices in inclusive research, with over 20 sections organised across six key stages of the research process. Topics include reflexivity, literature review, budgeting, pre-registration, open-source software, and inclusive communication—alongside a growing collection of case studies that exemplify these ideas in practice.

Why not check out some of the numerous training and development resources available through Vitae? They focus specifically on professional development for researchers and you can register for free using your University of Exeter account. Register here and then head here for general advice on various aspects of doing a doctorate and how to access further support, and guidance at all stages of your studies.

Any form of recording whether via Teams or external tools like Fellow and other AI notetakers is NOT permitted. If you have any accessibility needs and do require a recording of the session, please contact Researcher Development in advance and we will arrange this with the trainer.

We appreciate that unexpected things come up and you may no longer be able to attend, or you may realise a course you have booked onto is no longer relevant to you. Please don't forget to cancel via iTrent so that someone else can book on, as our courses have limited spaces.