Author Archives: Simone Apel
MOOCS and other skills development resources online for research students
Where do you go when you want to learn a new skill or improve your competency? Sign up to a practical, hands-on workshop? Or look online?
Whilst there is no substitute for attending a good skills development workshop, face-to-face learning is not always possible for a whole host of reasons – accessibility, time, family commitments. We all know how good YouTube is for learning ‘ordinary stuff’ but, increasingly, postgraduate students can find some valuable skills development resources online, such as via MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses). Why not check out some of these resources below? Read the rest of this entry
A fond look back at my research life at the University of Northampton
By Dr Nadia Anwar
Nadia in the SOTA research office
Now that my academic life at the University of Northampton has come to a close, I take this opportunity to reflect on and share my experiences as a research student. In July 2012 the decision to leave my former university and move to the University of Northampton was not an easy one to say the least, especially when as an international student I was required to pass through the rigors of applying for a new study visa and starting my research process afresh. But my first two experiences at Northampton helped overcome my initial apprehensions and concerns to a great deal. The first was my preliminary meeting with Prof Janet Wilson, Dr Victor Ukaegbu, and Dr Jumai Ewu, my potential Director of Studies and supervisors who ensured me of the potential of my research and showed profound insight and knowledge into the field of my study. The second was the highly professional manner in which my move was handled by both the administrative staff and visa department of the UoN.
From the very beginning of my academic journey in Northampton, I realised that I was at the right place and in the right hands to receive the kind of guidance I had come to the UK for. Read the rest of this entry
Workshops coming up: “Creativity in Research” and “Influencing, negotiating and networking”
We have a treat for all our postgraduate research students and early career researchers on 4th November, in the shape of excellent trainer, broadcaster and consultant Dr Adair Richards.
Adair will be running two workshops, in the morning Creativity in Research, and in the afternoon Influencing, negotiating and networking.
Launch of the NBS Research Seminar Series
Submitted by Dr Sandy MacDonald
The Northampton Business School (NBS) have announced dates for their Research Seminar series, which will run during term time for staff and doctoral students. The first seminar will be held on 7th October, at 1pm (room to be confirmed), with Dr Shaowei He, Director of Centre for China and Emerging Countries (CEEC) speaking on “Chinese acquisitions in developed countries and capability upgrading in their acquired firms.” Watch this post for further details. Read the rest of this entry
Research student volunteers needed for PGR Induction
Are you a research student and would you like to help out at our next Research Student Induction on Friday 30th October at 2:30-3:45pm in MY120, Maidwell, Avenue Campus? Would you also like a free late lunch?
The Interviews with Current Students session is a chance for the new students to ask questions about the PhD/doctoral experience here at Northampton. The chatting is informal and happens around the table – there is no presentation required. Chances are you have probably been through this from the other side when you attended your Induction.
If you are interested please email simone.apel@northampton.ac.uk as soon as possible.
Critical Mass conference – discounted tickets for students
The Critical Mass conference will run at the The Royal Institution of Great Britain in London on the 19th and 20th October 2015, with two days of speeches and discussions asking, ‘how are we reaching critical mass for social enterprise, social value, impact investing and corporate social innovation?’
University of Northampton students have been offered tickets at a discounted price of £80+VAT. To order a discounted ticket please email Christina Katara. The conference website quotes a ticket price of £125 for students, so do email Cristina instead for the reduced rate.
See the Good Deals website for the full programme.
Join in the Battle of Ideas
The Battle of Ideas is a weekend of high-level, thought provoking public debate, organised annually by The Institute of Ideas. This year it takes place on 17th and 18th October at the Barbican in London and also features a range of satellite events across Europe.
This year’s programme at the Barbican includes important keynote debates, such as:
- Is there a future for liberalism?
- Is technology limiting our humanity?
- Religious tolerance: can we keep the faith?
- From literature to Twitter: The death of the reader?
- The Corbyn Effect: are the old parties dead?
For more information, and to book tickets, go the Battle of Ideas Website. Full weekend prices are £100, day rates £55, with concessions available. There is a special rate of £27.50 available for students.
Critical Mass conference – call for research posters
The Critical Mass conference will run at the The Royal Institution of Great Britain in London on the 19th and 20th October 2015, with two days of speeches and discussions asking, ‘how are we reaching critical mass for social enterprise, social value, impact investing and corporate social innovation?’ Read the rest of this entry
Dust off your cameras, dig out your paintbrushes – Images of Research is back!
Images from the 2014-15 competition
It’s time for the call for research images, so why not take part in the Graduate School’s 2015-16 Images of Research competition? If you are a researcher at the University of Northampton, grab your camera or paintbrush and produce a unique image which captures the essence of your research, or an element of your research, in a visual, artistic or photographic way. Top that off with a snappy title and 150 word summary and that is all you need to do to participate.
This years IoR will, again, be a competition, where viewers can vote for their top three favourites. Entries for IoR 2015-16 must be emailed to Simone by November 6th 2015. Read on for the rules…
Conference call for papers: The Great Outdoors? Children, Young People and Families in Natural and Rural Spaces
The University of Northampton’s Institute of Health and Wellbeing are holding a conference The Great Outdoors? Children, Young People and Families in Natural and Rural Spaces, on 9th-10th September 2015 at Sunley Conference Centre.
The conference marks 15 years since the publication of Matthews et al.’s (2000) ‘Growing up in the countryside: children and the rural idyll’. This anniversary represents a timely moment for reflection on the state of research into children, young people and families in, and in relation to, ‘rural’ and ‘natural’ spaces.
Papers are invited, which focus on children, young people and families, in relation to the following topics. Read the rest of this entry
UON Graduate School Blog 