The range of development opportunities available to research staff is extensive with numerous professional services (such as Organisational Development, Research and Innovation Office, and Careers Network) contributing towards Loughborough University's Researcher Development Programme.
The Orgnisational Development Hub is the University's one-stop-shop to most development opportunities available to staff. It includes information relating to the following topics:
- Induction and mandatory training
- Developing your career
- Workshops, courses and events
- Resources and guidance
- Strategic projects and change
- Sharing good practice / learning from others
Workshops, courses and events that are advertised on the Organisational Development Hub are grouped into 30 categorgies. Whilst research staff can book to attend any session that meets their development needs and interests via my.HR, the following categories are particularly pertinent to the research community:
- Belonging and inclusion
- Coaching, mentoring and buddying
- Data management
- Developing and leading people
- Health and Safety
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Management skills
- Project management
- Research and innovation
In addition to the above, research staff can attend in-person and on-demand development sessions offered by the Doctoral College (including the Supervisor Development Programme), University Library and Careers Network. Also, for research staff who undertake teaching, Enhanced Academic Practice (a sub-team of Organisational Development) provide several routes through the Continuing Professional Development Portfolio Scheme to support research staff in obtaining an Advance Higher Education (following refered to as Higher Education Academy) qualifcation.
EngineeringYES - Engineering Young Entrepreneurs Scheme is a competition for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present a business plan for an imaginary start-up company to a group of shrewd investors and industry experts.
ESRC National Centre for Research Methods - A network of groups conducting research and training in an area of social science research methods.
European Guide to Science Journalism Training - A comprehensive inventory of the training courses in science journalism across the 27 Member States of the European Union, as well as exchange programmes, scholarships and other initiatives supporting science journalism. The guide is designed to encourage those who wish to specialise in communicating science by increasing awareness of the wealth of training opportunities available.
Famelab - A national competition to find the new voices of science and engineering.
NESTA - The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts
Newton's Apple - A think-tank providing a new relationship between Science, Society and Politics.
Research Integrity Online - A programme designed to introduce you to the full breadth of your professional responsibilities as a researcher, and has been designed for early-career researchers. It offers practical advice on dealing with the complex issues that can arise while planning, conducting and reporting research, with five different streams each targeted to a specific subject area.
Royal Academy of Engineering - A range of grants and prizes, fellowships and medals.
Royal Society - The Royal Society runs public lectures, scientific meetings and exhibitions throughout the year, many of which are videoed.
Sciconnect - Science communication courses.
STEMNET - Including a STEM Ambassadors Scheme, STEMNET provides a range of opportunities and resources.
The British Council - A one-stop-shop for art and science events, training courses and development opportunities.
Vitae - A non-profit organisation that specialises in the professional development of researchers. Loughborough University is a member of Vitae thus enabling research staff (NB: You will need to register using your Loughborough email address) to access numerous resources and tool to help monitor current skills and gaps including Vitae's Researcher Development Framework
