Blog Archives
PGR student induction: Making the most of the library
Thank you to all the new research students who worked so hard in today’s session in the library.
Given how many tools we covered in the morning, I thought it might be helpful to provide a list of these, with links, so you can revisit them later at your leisure. You’ll see that there are a few extra tools that were mentioned today but not explored.
We started by looking at university and external resources:
LLS Advisory Panel – new members wanted
LLS is reconvening this important group and it would be great to have representation from research students. The group meets online via a NILE forum so you can contribute as and when it suits you.
You don’t even have to contribute to every discussion – just add your opinions on things that matter to you. Only by hearing from research students can LLS ensure its services are meeting your needs.
Chris Powis, Head of Library and Learning Services, explains:
Researcher ‘help desks’ – Autumn 2014
This term’s dates and times are as follows: 
Avenue campus (in the library):
- Wednesday 29th October 10am – 12pm
- Monday 10th November 10am – 12pm
- Wednesday 26th November 2.30 – 4.30pm (Update 20/11/14: Please note change of time)
- Monday 9th December 2 – 4pm
Park campus (in the library):
- Thursday 16th October 2 – 4pm
- Tuesday 4th November 10am – 12pm
- Wednesday 19th November 10am – 12pm
- Tuesday 2nd December 2pm – 4pm
- Monday 15th December 10am – 12pm
NECTAR and Resources on the Web: Two new workshops for PGRs & ECRs
Two brand new workshops for UN research students and early career researchers will run in October, headed up by Nick Dimmock, Research Information Specialist for LLS.
Making the most of NECTAR will run on 15th October from 11:00-13:00 and Finding resources on the web follows on Thursday, 30 October from 11:00 to 13:00. Both workshops will be held in the TPOD, Rockingham Library on Park Campus. Click on the links above to book your place.
10 ways that PhD students can use Twitter
Here’s an interesting blog post from the University of Warwick…
To find out what other research students are discussing then try searching Twitter for one of these hashtags: #phdchat; #phdadvice; #phd; #acwri; #phdforum or #gradchat.
If you haven’t used Twitter before then there is plenty of help to get you started.
Image credit: By David Ferreira [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Part-Time Research students: Are you 18 months away (or less) from submitting?
If so, you may be interested in a Part-Time Researcher Finishing Workshop, which will take place on September 30th.
A joint workshop by the Universities of Birmingham and Northampton, it will be hosted here in Northampton in the TPod, Rockingham Library, Park Campus. Sessions will include Editing & Finishing your Thesis, Preparing for the Viva, Careers talks with advisers via Skype from the University of Birmingham and a session on Getting Published.
For more information please see the booking page. Please note there are few places left on the workshop, as it has been open to regional universities, so get in quick if you are interested! Please note this is only for part-time students and those with less than 18 months to thesis submission.
The Graduate School PGR and ECR Skills Development Programme 2014-15
This Hub Post is a permanent link to the 2014-15 Generic Skills Development Programme. This year the Programme has been designed for Postgraduate Research Students (PGRs) and Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and is available via the links below.
This year we have over 40 workshops, one Development Day every month and six events to take part in. Many thanks for all the feedback we had on last year’s programme.
Some additional workshops may be added, along with some inevitable changes to the programme, so do make sure you come back here regularly for the most up-to-date information. Workshops and events will be advertised via UN email, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and on NILE RES001. Do email me for further information or if you have any questions.
Graduate School generic workshops list 2014-15 (updated May 19th 2015, previous update April 20th 2015)
Also available is the Workshop brochure 2014-5 (updated May 19th 2015) which includes general information on the development programme, how to book or cancel your place on workshops, booking etiquette, workshop descriptions and alignment with Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework.
“Research Diversity” takes to the stage.
On Thursday 26th June, The Graduate School held their 2014 PGR Conference, where Postgraduate Research Students and Early Career Researchers had an opportunity to practice and hone their presentation skills in front of an audience comprised of the University of Northampton research community; staff and students.
Emma Clarke, presenter (left), and Anna Crouch (Chair).
Research Diversity was a perfectly fitting title! After an introduction by Professor Jon Stobart, research student Emma Clarke (pictured) kicked off the day with a very amusing presentation on how it feels being at the start of her ‘journey’, asking “Am I a proper researcher?” She was followed, throughout the morning, by papers on pollinators, a World Bank case study, cyborgs, families and British drug treatment. Read the rest of this entry
PhD peer support lunch on Thursday 3rd July @12:30
There will be another PhD lunch this Thursday 3rd July, at 12:30 in Avenue restaurant. Bring your sandwiches, pasta and chocolate bars and meet us there for a peer support chat!
Based in the Schools, research student communities often feel fragmented, not having a central place to gather and talk outside of their disciplines. These lunch breaks attempt to counterbalance this by offering a ‘place’ for students to gather. It is hoped that further down the line other socials might include meals and seminars with social time after. If you are interested in organising anything please contact Simone Apel. All doctoral research students, from all disciplines, are welcome.
UON Graduate School Blog 