Fellows Resource Hub

Thriving as a research leader

Resources designed to develop you as a research leader, build management skills, increase your awareness of research funding and help you grow your research network. 

The Research Fellow Toolkit has sections specifically designed to help you to establish your profile as a research leader (Section 3) and lead others (Section 4). Access the Toolkit here.

Resources:

• Getting Recruitment Right - Specifically designed for research fellows, this workshop explored what it takes to navigate the recruitment process at Liverpool and recruit someone who is right for you and your research project.
• Research Project Management for Fellows - This workshop for Research Fellows enabled attendees to discover key project management tools that help them scope, plan, deliver & end their research projects. 
• Introduction to Research Support - The research support teams across Liverpool can help you with various aspects of your research journey. This session introduced each of the teams and how they can support you. 
• Integrating impact into your funding proposals - This Making an Impact session showed participants how to increase their success rates and integrate impact into their research proposals to generate and communicate real-world impacts from their research.
• Writing a Data Management Plan with DMPOnline - Discover the key points of writing a Data Management Plan for your research project, and learn to use DMPOnline, a tool that provides templates for all major funders.
• Preparing for the Future: Developing my Networking Skills - Researcher Dr Andrew Moran discusses how evaluating his strengths and weaknesses and proactively working to develop his networking skills is helping to strengthen his research and career. 

Discover more resources designed to build your confidence as research leaders in the Thrive section of the Researcher Development Roadmap.

Advance your research through collaboration

Resources designed to increase engagement with your research and expand your influence through collaborations within and beyond your discipline. 

Section 2 in the Research Fellow Toolkit is specifically designed to help you to develop your internal and external networking skills. Access the Toolkit here.

Resources:

• Developing partnerships beyond academia - The Research Collaborations and Partnerships team lead a workshop exploring how researchers can develop partnerships beyond academia. 
• Building interdisciplinary collaborations panel - Experienced academics from across the university, as well as the Head of COP UK Engagement and Planning, discuss the best ways to start and grow interdisciplinary collaborations. 
• Introduction to PGR Supervision - Aimed at new supervisors and staff informally supervising PGRs, this RSA Lunch & Learn session was designed to prompt reflection on what it means to be a PGR supervisor and considerations for what it takes to build a successful working relationship. 
• Secrets to successful working relationships - Denise Chilton, career coach and leadership developer, discusses research collaborations – the pre-work required, the importance of ground rules and clear communication, and how to build trust. 
• How to write for The Conversation - The Conversation is the world's leading publisher of research-based news and analysis. Discover how to pitch an article and tips on style, tone and structure. 
• The importance of interdisciplinary research at the University of Liverpool - Professor Anthony Hollander, PVC for Research and Impact, and Professor Georgina Endfield, Dean of the School of Histories, Languages and Cultures, discuss how interdisciplinary research is integral to the University. 
• Getting started with public and community partnerships - Dr Sarah McLusky, Research events consultant and facilitator discusses how researchers can collaborate with stakeholders and develop public and community partnerships. 

Discover more resources designed to support you build successful collaborations in the Advance section of the Researcher Development Roadmap.  

Growing your research impact

Resources designed to ensure your are able to maximise the impact from your research and increase your research visibility through effective communication.

Resources:

• Develop your publication strategy to strengthen your outputs and career - This workshop is specifically designed to help Research Fellows to create publication strategies, navigate REF, write 3*/4* publications & embrace Open Research. 
• Working with the University’s Research communications, Public affairs, News and Press Teams - Aimed at fellows looking to raise awareness of their research, this session covered to fellows can engage with the University’s communications teams. 
• Improving Grant Funding Success with Industry - Grants are more competitive than ever, this RSA Lunch & Learn workshop explored how to improve your chances of success by partnering with industry. 
• Preparing for impact in REF 2029 - This Making an Impact workshop enabled participants to learn to create, monitor, and evidence impactful research with expert guidance, tools & techniques, including writing an impact case study. 
• Communicating with industry and kickstarting knowledge exchange - Dr Jaque Durrant, Knowledge Exchange & Commercialisation Trainer at Skillfluence, discusses the role of communication in successful knowledge exchange activities. 
• Maximising the impact of your research outputs with Springer Nature - The Press Team at Springer Nature practical strategies to elevate the visibility and reach of your papers through effective dissemination, tailored communications, and targeted sharing. 
• How to engage and influence UK Parliament - Learn how you can work with Parliament to help shape policy and maximise the impact of your research.

Discover more resources designed to increase the impact of your research within and beyond academia in the Grow section of the Researcher Development Roadmap. 

Reflecting on your personal effectiveness

Resources designed to help you maximise your personal effectiveness and consider your own practice and wellbeing. 

Section 1 in the Research Fellow Toolkit is specifically designed to help you to think strategically about how to make the most of your fellowship. Access Toolkit here. 

The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers aims to improve the environment and culture within which research is conducted and sets out expectations and responsibilities for all stakeholders in research careers. Gain a better understanding of your responsibilities and entitlements via our short Researcher Development Concordat for University of Liverpool Staff Module. 

Resources:

• Making the most of your PDR - Practical tips to help you feel empowered to ensure that your PDR experience works for you whilst reaching a mutually beneficial outcome for you and your PDR Reviewer.
• Making the most of your research staff voice at Liverpool - Learn more about the Researcher Development Concordat, Research Staff Association and how we use the researcher voice to inform policy and practice at Liverpool.
• It Takes a Village …! What a Panel on Resilience Taught Me - As part of the Research Staff Conference 2024 at the University of Liverpool, Dr Lakshay Jain organised and moderated a panel on building career resilience. In this blog post he shares some behind-the-scenes insights and key takeaways from the session.
• Responsible and relevant research in the Global South: what does it take? - Find out what is needed for meaningful partnerships in the Global South and how you can develop ethical and collaborative research projects.
• From the Lab Bench to the Decision Table: My Journey as an RSA Co-Chair - Dr Rishav Agrawal reflects on how participating in University governance enabled him to personally grow, represent the researcher community and find his voice.
• Working less, Accomplishing more: alternative practices for impactful work - Learn stress-free work practices for greater productivity, efficiency and impact, and enjoy more creativity, flow and ease in your research. 

Discover more resources designed to enable you to develop your personal effectiveness in the Reflect section of the Researcher Development Roadmap. 

External resources

Resources external to the University of Liverpool that may support your journey as a research fellow. 

Prosper PI Network 

The Prosper PI network provides a forum for managers of researchers to share best practice around postdoc career development. It is open to all managers of researchers, enabling fellows to connect with and hear from colleagues from across UK higher education institutions. 

Sessions are delivered online and run approximately every two months. They address topics relevant to managers of researchers specifically, and offer the opportunity to interact with peers for shared learning. Many sessions have been recorded and are available to review on the network webpages. 

Nature Masterclasses 

Nature Masterclasses offers self-led courses designed to boost professional skills and knowledge across the research lifecycle. Content applies to researchers of all faculties and departments, and can be helpful at any stage of your career. It is not designed to prepare you to publish just with Springer, but to elevate your foundational skills, helping you to advance your research career. The courses cover topics including: research design, funding support, research methodology, writing and publishing, sharing and dissemination, collaboration, and more. 

Find out more on the University’s Nature Masterclasses page. 

Watch RSA Lunch & Learn seminar: Nature Masterclasses: Liverpool's new route to research skills 

Researcher Development Framework 

Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework defines the values, knowledge, and behaviours of effective researchers for today’s evolving research landscape. It supports personal, professional, and career development while aligning with priorities like open research, research integrity, and knowledge exchange. 

You can use the Researcher Development Framework to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a research fellows, supporting you to prioritise your own development needs. Access the Researcher Development Framework here. 

Future Leaders Fellows Development Network 

Funded by UKRI, the Future Leaders Fellows (FLF) Development Network provides development opportunities for UKRI-funded FLF fellows. The Network’s resource library includes over a dozen Toolkits as well as other resources developed by fellows for fellows. A large number of these resources are open access, including all the toolkits, the research insights series, fellows-developed resources and more. 

Access the FLF Development Network resources here.