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Postgraduate Researcher Training and Development Bulletin- 5 November 2025
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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 Making your work open access (ORE) on Wednesday 19 November. Or if you're interested in entrepreneurship, book onto Impact-Led Careers: Startups & Spinouts on Tuesday 18 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.
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Core Postgraduate Researcher Skill- Organisation
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As a PGR you have many competing demands, which is why organisation is such a crucial skill for you while you undertake your research and also for your career long term.
We have plenty of courses to help you further develop your organisational skills- whether you're at a crucial stage or your degree or simply want to get things in order:
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About our training sessions
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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.
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Knowledge and Intellectual Abilities
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Emotionally challenging research: impacts, coping and proactive interventions to support researchers (Wednesday 5 November, 09.30-13.00 via Zoom)
Join Dr Tina Skinner, the leader of the Researcher Wellbeing Project, and equip yourself with knowledge and tools essential for maintaining emotional wellbeing in research on emotionally challenging topics (e.g. death, illness, war, crime, extreme poverty).
Turbocharge your writing (Thursday 13 November, 09.30-12.00 via Zoom)
Would you like to know the secret to high output, low stress scholarly writing? In academia it is often assumed that writing comes naturally. However there are very clear and practical strategies that can greatly increase your writing productivity.
Communicate smarter: using GenAI responsibly to elevate your writing (Tuesday 18 November, 10.00-11.30 via MS Teams)
Keen to understand how you can use GenAI to improve your academic writing while adhering to the University of Exeter AI guidelines? Join us for this session where we will take you through helpful demonstrations and examples that are relevant for PGRs.
Searching smarter- Advanced Search Techniques (Tuesday 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- 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.
NEW- 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.
NEW- 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.
NEW- 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.
NEW- 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.
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Research Methods Training
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).
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Preparing for your final year (PGR Panel Discussion) (Monday 10 November, 10.30-12.00 via MS Teams)
Congratulations on reaching the final year of your postgraduate studies! This workshop will consist of a panel discussion by final year PGRs, where they will share insights and tips about the strategies they are using to help them prepare to finish and submit their research, and group discussions.
NEW- Insights from the Dean (Tuesday 11 November, 13.30-15.30 in person in Old Library 136, Streatham Campus)
Join Professor Stacey Hynd, Dean of Postgraduate Research and of the Doctoral College, for an in-person event at the Streatham Campus. Stacey will host this session providing her insights into a range of topics. This particular event is aimed at first year PGRs but all PGRs are welcome to attend.
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.
NEW- 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.
NEW- 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:
NEW- 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.
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PGR Career Planning Guide
If you’re looking for resources to support your individual, professional, and career development, please take a look at our PGR Career Planning Guide.
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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.
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Research governance and organisation
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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.
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Engagement, influence and impact
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Getting published (Thursday 6 November, 10.00-11.30 via MS Teams)
This workshop demystifies the academic publication process. It offers advice for planning your publication strategy, and preparing various formats of academic output for publication, journal articles, book chapters and monographs. It explains the peer review process and how to respond to feedback.
Planning for Meaningful Public Engagement (Tuesday 11 November, 10.30-12.30 in person on Streatham Campus, Old Library Training Room 4)
This interactive in-person workshop will guide participants through filling in a planning worksheet for public engagement. Participants will be expected to bring an idea to use as a basis for filling in their worksheet during the training.
NEW- PGR Skills Development & Network building (Wednesday 12 November, in person 10.00-12.00 in Old Library Training Room 4, Streatham Campus)
The focus of this session will be Work-life balance and action planning. The aim of this session is to develop your communication and networking skills and to get to know some of your fellow Postgraduate Research Students (PGRs) in a welcoming and supportive environment
Impact-Led Careers: Startups & Spinouts (Tuesday 18 November, 11.30-13.00 via MS Teams)
Are you passionate about making real-world impact in your future career? Join the Student Startups Team for a hands-on webinar designed specifically for postgraduate researchers who are curious about how entrepreneurship can open doors to meaningful, purpose-driven careers beyond academia.
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.
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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.
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Guidance on research dissemination is now available on RIME for PGRs
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.
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Coding for Reproducible Research Workshops
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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.
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.
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Library Training and Events
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Did you know the Library runs its own training programme to help with library skills? It includes events such as:
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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;
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sessions on academic writing and academic listening from English Language Skills Development Team;
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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.
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Arts and Culture Online Resources
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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:
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PGR Training and Development Resources SharePoint site
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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.
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Other training & development opportunities
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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.
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Training & Development Resources from Vitae
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.
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Use of AI Notetakers in Researcher Development Workshops: New guidance
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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.
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A quick message from Researcher Development and Research Culture Team
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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.
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