Recommended training sessions for PGR students

The Institute for Academic Development (IAD) offers a course called "Getting Started with Postgraduate Research" and all new PGR students are encouraged to sign up and attend (places each year are limited).  It usually runs in October and February each academic session.  Sign up via the IAD. 

The acquisition and development of personal transferable, employment-related and generic research skills is an important part of postgraduate research training. The School of Informatics works closely with the Institute for Academic Development's PG team to produce a programme of skills and research training specifically designed for its postgraduate research students.

All doctoral students are encouraged to regularly discuss their training needs with their PGR supervisor. To help guide this discussion and identify knowledge gaps, the IAD has a link to a "Training Needs Analysis" document.

The Institute for Academic Development offers many courses that will be of benefit to you during your PhD studies and afterwards. The courses are classified into categories:

• Research Planning: essential skills for PhD research.
• Professional Development: personal and professional skills relevant to your PhD and your future career
• Communication: improve your written communication, presentation skills, and develop public engagement skills

Please visit the Course Lists for IAD and book onto all the courses that are relevant to your skills training requirements and at a time that suits your needs. 

Although the formal requirements of research study do not include a coursework component it is expected that all students will attend all of the highly recommended courses, as detailed below. 

All first years are expected to attend:

• How to do an Informatics PhD 
• Preparing For 1st Year Review 

All second years are expected to attend:

How to Write an Informatics Research Paper (Writing an Informatics Research Paper Course materials)

Plus, one or more IAD session(s) on presenting research (examples below)

• Pitch Perfect: Public Speaking, Networking and Engaging
• Presenting your Research with Confidence
• Research Posters - an Engaging Graphical Research Story (PGR)
• Presentation Skills for the Terrified (PGR)
• Handling questions at a conference presentation
• Handling Presentation Difficulties (PGR)
• Presenting Your Research Virtually - Best Practice for Online (and Live) Presenting.

All third year students are expected to attend:

• Informatics PhD Thesis Workshop 
• Preparing for your Viva: School of Informatics

Plus any relevant IAD courses on offer e.g.

• Final Year Focus
• Thesis Writing Bootcamp: Planning, Finishing and Avoiding Pitfalls.

• 7 Reasons You'll Pass Your Viva

• Viva survivor

Anyone whose thesis has a project requiring Ethics approval, or who is just interested in science and social responsibility can take the following online course:

• Global Research Ethics and Integrity

The Institute for Academic Development (IAD) offers a number of demonstrating and tutoring courses.  

• Assessment and Providing Feedback
• Enhancing Tutorials
• Designing and Delivering Lectures
• Advising on Personal and Academic Matters
• Supervising Projects and Dissertations
• Effective Tutoring Introduction (On Campus)
• Tutoring in the Sciences

The School of Informatics (via the University Teachers) also delivers a compulsory training programme to (new) students scheduled to teach/demonstrate on Informatics UG/PGT courses.  Detailed information is available here https://web.inf.ed.ac.uk/infweb/student-services/teaching-support/training