How much time should I spend on training and development?
You are encouraged to undertake at least 10 days or 70 hours (pro rata) on training and development activity per year.
How do I know what training and development I should access?
Use the Development Needs Analysis (DNA) tool to start a discussion with your supervisor. The tool is used to review your competences and abilities in different areas and helps you to create a development plan. You can access the DNA form via the PGR Development Canvas space. You will need a University of Liverpool MWS account to login to the Canvas space, which you can access by following this link.
How do I record my training and development activity?
You are strongly encouraged to use the PGR Portfolio of Activity in Liverpool Life to record your activity, this will be then incorporated into your annual progress review and can also be used to develop your CV.
What types of development activities are available?
There are a range of opportunities available including online self-led resources and modules, live workshops, masterclasses, bootcamps, webinars and more. For a comprehensive list visit the PGR Development webpage.
How can I find out more about the PGR Development Programme?
To find our more information about the PGR Development Programme visit the PGR Development Hub. The programme is advertised regularly via the PGR Development Canvas page where you can access a wealth of online development resources, inluding self-paced modules tailored to every stage of the PGR process. You can find information on how to complete your Development Needs Analysis (DNA) on this page as well. Please note that you require a University of Liverpool MWS account to access the Canvas space. All PGRS are automatically enrolled on registration or you can self-enrol using this link. Also follow the @LivResearcher X account (formally known as Twitter).
Who can attend the sessions?
All sessions are open to all registered Postgraduate Researchers at the University of Liverpool. Whether you are an early, mid or late stage PGR, you will find development activities tailored to your needs. All sessions are open to all University of Liverpool PGRs regardless of your stage.
Do any events or opportunities have a financial cost?
All events and opportunities presented on the PGR Development Hub are free to PGRs registered at the University of Liverpool who have MWS accounts.
Are the sessions face to face or virtual?
The live sessions are either in-person on the main Liverpool campus or online via Zoom. The format of the sessions is highlighted in the programme.
Can I access recordings of live sessions?
Sessions that are recorded can be accessed via the Researcher Development Roadmap on the Researcher Hub.
Do I need to register for sessions?
Yes, you must register for every sessions you wish to attend. Registration is free of charge. Some sessions will have limited numbers so please register as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please do not register (or please cancel your registration) if you do not plan to attend otherwise you may prevent someone else from taking part. When registering for sessions please ensure you use your Liverpool University email address. Any joining instructions will be sent to the email address you registered with.
How can I register for live sessions?
Information about the dates and times of sessions will be available via the PGR Development webpages and also look out for the weekly e-bulletin from PGRDevNet. Registration links for the sessions in the PGR Development Programme can be found on the PGR Development Hub.
What if I am unavailable to attend the session at the advertised date/time?
Many sessions on the programme are repeated, so check to see if you can attend the session at an alternative time. If you are not able to attend the session you can register for a non-attendance ticket to be sent post-session resources and information. You can access many resources via the PGR Development webpages.
The session that I want to register for is sold out. What happens now?
We would encourage you to add your name to the waitlist. If a ticket becomes available, you will be contacted automatically with further instructions on how to redeem your free ticket. No further action is required. You can also register for a non-attendance ticket to be sent post-session resources and information. You can access many resources via the PGR Development webpages.
What happens if I can no longer attend a live session?
If you are no longer able to attend please cancel via Eventbrite at least 48 hours before the session is due to take place so we can allocate your place to someone else. If you are sick on the day of the session please let us know via researcher@liverpool.ac.uk.
Joining the sessions
Why haven’t I received the joining instructions?
All joining instructions are sent directly from Eventbrite 2 days and then again 2 hours before the session. As well as your email inbox, we recommend checking any subfolders linked to your inbox. Please note that you need to register for the session(s) for joining instructions to be sent to you. Registration closes 3 hours before the session starts.
For sessions delivered online, what platform are they hosted on?
All online sessions take place on Zoom. We recommend that you download the Zoom app, although you will also be able to join sessions on Zoom via your browser – in that case, it is recommended that you use Google Chrome.
I already have the Zoom app. Do I have to do anything else?
If you already have the Zoom app, we would urge you to update your Zoom application. This can be done via your Zoom app, by going to Settings/Check for updates. This will take approximately 2 minutes to update. Zoom is constantly making changes and improvements and doing this will provide you with all of the Zoom functionalities needed to fully engage with the session(s).
What happens when I join an online session?
You’ll be admitted to a waiting room until the session starts, you will be made aware of any delays in the starting of the session via the waiting room chat.
I'm having technical problems and can’t get into the online session – what do I do?
Make sure you are using the Zoom link for the correct session you received in your inbox. Please also ensure you are using the same Zoom email and username that you registered with in Eventbrite. If you are still experiencing issues, try updating Zoom or rebooting or switching to another internet-dsfenabled device. You can also email researcher@liverpool.ac.uk.
I’m running late and worried about disturbing the session – what do I do?
When you join, you will be sent first to a waiting room. When you are ‘let in’ to the session you will be automatically muted and your camera switched off, so you won’t disturb the session.
Linked Resources
Are there any resources I can access online?
PGR development sessions that are recorded can be accessed via the Researcher Development Roadmap on the Researcher Hub. Here you will also find a variety researcher development resources mapped to the Researcher Development Roadmap.
As a registered PGR at the University of Liverpool you will be able to access the PGR Development space on Canvas where you can access the strongly recommended PGR development modules and specially-curated PGR development resources. Please note that you require a University of Liverpool MWS account to access the Canvas space. All PGRS are automatically enrolled on registration or you can self-enrol using this link.
How do I access the PGR development Canvas space?
The PGR Development Canvas page containts a wealth of online development resources, inluding self-paced modules tailored to every stage of the PGR process. You can find information on how to complete your Development Needs Analysis (DNA) on this course. All PGRS are automatically enrolled on registration or you can self-enrol using this link. Please note that you require a University of Liverpool MWS account to access the Canvas space. You can self-enrol following this link: https://canvas.liverpool.ac.uk/enroll/NKL8MY
What do I do if I can’t access the PGR development Canvas space?
Please email Researcher@liverpool.ac.uk
Networking and social media
Are there ways I can network and engage with postgraduate researchers across the University?
Look out for information via the PGR Development Canvas notifications for the range of opportunities for connections, networking, personal and professional development.
Feedback
How can I give feedback on the PGR development sessions?
A survey is emailed via Eventbrite to all participants following each session they attend. The survey is anonymous and the feedback received contributes to the planning and design of future events.
How are you evaluating the PGR Development programme?
We will seek regular feedback across all aspects of our offer to continuously ensure that we are meeting the needs of our diverse PGR community. We remain unequivocally committed to actively building an enabling culture, through partnership, collaboration and recognition of the diverse PGR experiences and expertise that make our institution so special.
Creating a welcoming and inclusive environment
What kind of environment can I expect from the PGR Development Programme?
The Academy are committed to providing a diverse, accessible, and inclusive events. We ask that all attendees are respectful of, and welcome the opportunity to engage the ideas of others. We sincerely hope that all our participants and facilitators experience a friendly, dynamic, professionally and personally enriching event that is free from harassment or discrimination. We remind everyone to use appropriate communication that is inter-disciplinary and welcoming to people from many different backgrounds.
Where is the Inclusivity Statement and Code of Conduct for the PGR Development Programme?
The Academy is committed to providing an environment which recognises and values people's differences, capitalises on the strengths that those differences bring to the institution and supports all staff and students in maximising their potential to succeed. In line with the Academy's firm commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, we offer all postgraduate researchers opportunities to develop and network irrespective of a researcher’s gender, ethnicity, age, self-identification, disability, religious affiliation, or any other criteria used to separate and define. All participants and facilitators are asked to please refer and agree to The Academy's Code of Conduct before attending and PGR development sessions.
What should I do if I experience or witness inappropriate behaviour?
Please contact the organising team as soon as possible. You can do this by:
- If an incident occurs in a Zoom session, send a private chat message to one of the PGR development team present (who will be introduced at the start of the session).
- If an incident occurs in an in-person session, please approach the PGR development team member at a break in the session or email Researcher@liverpool.ac.uk
Back to: Researcher Hub