Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme

ALD workshop

Our Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) Development Programme is a collection of interactive workshops, online courses and other opportunities that provide training in the wide array of skills required for the development of a successful researcher. Workshops are led by senior academics from across Heriot-Watt and a number of external experts in areas such as project management, public engagement and publishing who provide PGRs with comprehensive and high-quality training. The programme’s varied development opportunities are mapped against the Researcher Development Framework produced by national researcher development organisation, Vitae.

Getting started

To help new PGRs get on the right track during the first few months of their postgraduate research degree, we have designed an eight-part workshop series called “Getting Started”. It covers a range of essential topics for new researchers and has been accredited by the national CPD Certification Service.

Getting Started (Stage 1)
  • PGR University Induction (Domain B)
  • Essential Skills for Researchers (Domain A)
  • Literature Searching (Domain A)
  • Citing and Referencing (Domain C)
  • Critical Thinking (Domain A)
  • Strategic Reading of the Research Literature (Domain A)
  • Managing Your Research Data (Domain A)
  • Working with Your Supervisor (Domain B)
Communicating Research (Stage 2, 3)
  1. Preparation and Design for Great Presentations (Domain D)
  2. Preparation for Conference Presentation and Competitions (Domain D)
  3. Conference Talks (Domain D)
  4. An Introduction to Data Visualisation (Domain D)
Managing Your Career (Stage 2, 3)
  • Careers Beyond Academia (Domain B)
  • Identifying Your Skills and Career Planning (Domain B)
  • Developing a Stand-out CV and Job Application (Domain B)
  • Successful Job Interviews (Domain B)
Publishing Research (Stage 2, 3 and staff)
  1. Getting Published in Journals - Guidance for Researchers (Domain D)
  2. How to Structure and Edit Your Paper (Domain D)
  3. Making an Impact with Your Publications (Domain D)
Viva Preparation (Stage 3)

Preparing for Your Viva (Domain B)

Research Writing (Stage 1, 2, 3)
  1. The Writing Process (Domain A)
  2. Writing a Literature Review (Domain D)
  3. Is my Writing "Academic" Enough (Domain A)
Thesis Writing (Stage 2, 3)
  • Thesis Writing Bootcamp (Domain A)
  • Writing Your Thesis (Domain A)
Other workshops

Introduction to Project Management (Domain C) – Stage 2, 3

Time Management for Researchers (Domain B) - Stage 2, 3 and staff

Elsevier - How to Publish - Stage 1, 2, 3 and staff

You’ve completed your research and want to publish your work in a peer-reviewed journal. Are you wondering where to start? Do you know where you find relevant information quick

Keeping on Top of Your PhD: Personal Time Management Strategies (Domain B) - all students

Applying Critical Thinking to Your Own Research (Domain A) - Stage 1, 2, 3

Software Carpentry (Domain B) - Stage 1, 2, 3 and staff

Key information

Research Futures

Job title
Research Futures
Email
researchfutures@hw.ac.uk
Twitter
twitter.com/HW_RFA