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An important part of your research is developing key skills that will benefit your research and also your professional development, ready for your future career. Our Doctoral Researcher Core Development (DRCD) Programme delivers core skills with high quality, innovative training sessions to support and enhance your research journey.
They have been designed to align with the recommendations of QAA, UKRI and the Research Council, and cover:
The DRCD programme timeline
The programme comprises four 1-week units delivered at key stages over your whole research journey. The sessions focus on the processes and skills needed to do your research effectively and responsibly.
Week 1 - Getting started with your research
This week, held around 1 month after induction, focuses on introducing the knowledge and skills required at the start of research. Workshops include those on ethics and research integrity, literature searching and referencing skills. Also research data planning and management, personal and professional development planning and the use of social media in science.
Week 2 – Research development
This week, around 3-4 months after induction, provides practical knowledge of the research process. It includes research planning and management, applied and interdisciplinary research, intellectual property, research impact and presenting data.
Week 3 – Research outputs
This week, around the end of year 1, supports researchers' growing understanding of the variety of different forms of dissemination. It covers aspects of academic writing and publishing papers and making work open access. Unlocking an entrepreneurial mindset to maximise impact, various presentation skills and how to disseminate research to a variety of audiences.
Week 4 - Successful completion
This week, at around 24-30 months, explores the career opportunities available to the researcher after successful completion of their research degree and provides support for their thesis write up and as they prepare for their Viva Voce. It also helps with applying for fellowships, interview skills, developing a business case and writing an overall discussion.
Research students are expected to attend all sessions provided. This will give you a comprehensive and valuable development experience and ensure you do not miss out on important information. Attending in fixed weeks also offers opportunities for networking, collaboration, socialising and peer support.
All workshops will be at Cranfield campus. Research students based at Shrivenham can attend via a Teams link to the Global Classroom.
Which week should I attend?
| Week | Who for? |
|---|---|
| Week 1: Getting started with your research | New students - 4 weeks after induction |
| Week 2: Research development | Everyone after 3-5 months (3 year PhD) |
| Week 3: Research outputs | Everyone after year 1 (3 year PhD) |
| Week 4: Successful completion | Everyone around 24-30 months (3 year PhD) |
Find out more about the individual sessions arranged for each week in the DRCD Canvas module.
New research students joining Cranfield on and after September 2024 will be enrolled onto the DRCD programme as a cohort and will automatically be added to the session bookings.
Students who joined before September 2024 must book on the sessions in DATES in the normal way.