Researcher development
Develop your research skills with our programme of workshops, support groups and resources.
The Building Research and Innovation Capacity (BRIC) Team, Library and Archives, IT Services and the Academic Skills Community provide support and advice to help you thrive as an independent researcher. We can help you learn to:
- communicate your research to specialists and non-specialists;
- engage with those who can assist, promote and act upon your research;
- manage your time and resources;
- take responsibility for the legal and ethical aspects of your research;
- collaborate and network effectively;
- demonstrate enthusiasm, integrity and flexibility.
Browse our wide range of training via our Skills Programme or by our Professional Development Themes below. All training sessions are booked via SkillsForge, where you can also browse our upcoming workshops.
York Researcher Development Programme 2024-25 (PDF 
, 2,929kb)
Watch: Professional Development during your PhD
Getting started
All first year postgraduate researchers must complete a Professional Development Plan (PDP). To help develop your PDP, you should complete a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) to help identify current levels of skills/expertise and areas of development. Your TNA and PDP can be reviewed as part of TAP and supervisory meetings.
Key professional development themes
- Briefly About - Journal Publishing Process
- Briefly About - Planning Your First Academic Paper
- Making Your Publication Open Access
- Open Research at York: the Basics
- Open Research Essentials
- Searching the Literature
- Your Research Profile, Reputation and Impact - An Introduction to Bibliometrics
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
- Laying the Foundation for Clear Writing
- Strategies for Effective Drafting
- Strategies for Effective Editing
- Getting the Writing Written
Online Resources
- Academic Posters - Designing Posters in PowerPoint
- Advanced Oral Presentations: Secrets of Great Presenters
- Briefly About - Writing Lay Summaries
- Communicating Your Research: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff
- Designing Presentations in PowerPoint and Google Slides
- The Conversation Writing Workshop
Online Resources
Public Engagement Opportunities
- An Introduction to Using Generative AI Tools for Researchers
- Briefly About - Copyright
- Copyright and Licensing: the Basics
- Framing Your Research Question
- How Can Your Work Make a difference? Introduction to Research Impact and Knowledge Exchange for Postgraduate Researchers
- Introduction to Coding
- Introduction to Intellectual Property and Research Commercialisation
- Managing Your PhD/Research Project
- Policy Masterclass
- Responsible Research & Ethics
- What Goes Into a Grant?
Online Resources
Required VLE modules
The following mandatory training is available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE):
- Research Data Management Tutorial
- Research Integrity Tutorial
- NAVIGATE: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
- EXPLORE: Research Funding (and Why it Matters to You!)
- EXPLORE: What is an Early Career Fellowship?
- EXPLORE: Choosing the Right Scheme for Your Research
- EXPLORE: Finding a Fellowship Mentor
- EXPLORE: Developing a Fellowship Application: Step by Step
- NAVIGATE: UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships
- EXPLORE: Identifying your Professional Development Needs in Fellowship Proposals
- EXPLORE: Writing a Lay Summary Within a Fellowship Application
- EXPLORE: Getting Started with Your Narrative CV
- NAVIGATE: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships
- EXPLORE: Planning for Impact in Fellowship Applications
Internal Resources
- BRIC Researcher Resources
- eResources Guide
- Planning your Professional Development
- Practical Guides
- Skills Guides
- Subject Guides
External Resources
Peer support
The Academic Skills Community gives you the opportunity to further develop academic skills including academic writing, critical thinking and communication via online resources, skills workshops and one to one appointments. These are specifically designed for advancement of academic, language and communication skills in relation to your goals and aspirations.
