Developing as a Researcher – the next steps

19th

& 20th

March 2013

Postgraduate Research Students 2012 - Part 2 Induction

Every year, the Research School makes a concerted effort to bring first year students from across faculties together, to provide a platform where students can reflect on progress, learn about the requirements of the probationary review and explore the margins of developing as a researcher. Throughout the conference we encourage you to engage with colleagues and peers from across the university to develop a broader understanding of the OU research environment. This will later be indispensible in terms of extending your network of contacts, communicating effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences and recognising opportunities for career development. Developing as a Researcher - the next steps conference is designed as a platform to bring together sessions addressing situations we know all students face during the pre-probationary period. This means that, regardless of which academic discipline you are coming from, you will be able to personalise the advice and suggestions offered according to your own needs. Over the years, students attending the annual conference have provided valuable input which has helped us design these sessions in the best possible way. The benefits that you can get from this session, therefore, depend on your participation and how you choose to engage with the research community. Below is a short brief of what you can look forward to at this year’s ‘Developing as a Researcher – the next steps’ conference:

What you should expect:

- To learn about good academic practice that will increase your productivity - To learn about effective student-supervisor interactions - To compare/share your concerns and aspirations with a network of peers, and engage with the OU’s rich Research community through interaction with staff members and second and third year students volunteering for the peer-led sessions

- To identify areas where your previously acquired skills could benefit your PhD experience, such as effective communication by networking across disciplines.

What you should not expect/assume:

- A workshop to learn subject specific skills, e.g. experimental methods - A workshop tailored to your niche specialization, or a distribution of miracle tips and tricks: as with any conference, you must critically interpret and actively build upon the advice and knowledge shared with you

- A set of undergraduate-style classroom lectures: students and staff have jointly contributed to these hands-on talks, welcoming your participation and input

- An individual experience: the OU’s annual conference actively promotes cross-disciplinary interaction among students and staff

- An unnecessary distraction from your research: future employers assess your integration into and knowledge of your research community, whether they are based in academia or industry.

Developing as a Researcher – the next steps:

Part Two Induction for 2012 Postgraduate Research Students

Programme

Day 1: 19 March 2013

09.30 -10.00 Sign in/Refreshments (Hub Theatre)

10.00 - 10.15 Welcome - Dr Dorothy Faulkner (Hub Theatre)

10.15 -10.30 Travel to Sessions (see session schedule for venues)

10.30 - 12.00 Session 1 – Becoming a researcher

12.00 - 12.10 Travel to session (see session schedule for venues)

12.10 - 13.00 Session 2 - Peer led interactive session – Reflection on progress & supervision

13.00 - 13.50 Lunch (Hub Theatre)

13.50 – 14.00 Travel to session 3 (see session schedule for venues)

14.00 - 15.30 Session 3 - Preparing for probationary assessment or Reviewing the literature: Critical thinking and justifying your research

15.30 – 17.00 Session 4 – Writing and getting published

17.00 Close

17.30 - 22.00 Postgraduate Student Society Event (Juniper & Medlar – Hub)

Developing as a Researcher – the next steps:

Part Two Induction for 2012 Postgraduate Research Students

Programme

Day 2: 20 March 2013

09.45 - 10.00 Refreshments available in venue (see session schedule for venues)

10.00 - 11.30 Session 5 - Reviewing the literature: Critical thinking and justifying your research or Preparing for probationary assessment

11.30 - 11.40 Travel to Peer led interactive session (see session schedule for venue)

11.30 - 12.30 Session 6 - Peer led interactive session – Engaging with the research community

12.30 – 12.40 Travel to lunch (Hub Theatre)

12.40 - 13.30 Lunch (supervisors invited) Hub Theatre

13.30 – 16.00 Time to arrange to meet your faculty supervisor or optional Library sessions with Wendy Mears and Fiona Durham

13.30 – 13.45 Travel to Library session 7a (Library seminar rooms 1&2)

13.45 - 14.45 Session 7a - Library session - Exploiting information: getting the most from the OU Library Group 1: Non STEM - Arts, Social Sciences, Health and Social Care, CREET (FELS, IET) and Business

14.45 – 15.45 Session 7b - Library session - Exploiting information: getting the most from the OU Library Group 2: STEM – Science, Mathematics, Computing, Technology, Engineering and KMI

15.45 Close