How much time, in the last year, did you spend on your own personal development? 

What opportunities did you take to reflect, develop and enhance your skills and experiences?

How are you planning for your future career plans and aspirations?

The start of the new academic year is a perfect time to reflect on your development over the previous year and plan for priorities for the year ahead. 

As part of the University’s commitment to the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Research Staff, we are actively promoting and supporting all research staff to access 10 days of personal career development time annually (pro-rata). Through discussion with line managers, this time can be taken to engage in a breadth of activity which might include self-directed learning, job shadowing, taking part in a mentoring scheme (as mentor or mentee), committee membership knowledge exchange activities or accessing a training course, workshop or webinar. 

Three opportunities you might want to consider…

Research Grant Writing

‘This is a very useful set of materials delivered in an engaging and helpful way.’

This online course consists of a range of short video lectures and learning materials that enable you to understand the approach, rationale, and the specifications required for a project grant application and explores how to create key sentences to support other types of grant, such as fellowships. The practical materials are designed to support you in preparing for the two most important questions that every research funder considers when deciding whether or not to award a grant. For more information see here. 

Ethics Modules – online

These practical modules cover all academic disciplines and all aspects of good research design. Users can choose to complete all or selected modules from the following titles:

  • Good research conduct
  • Irresponsible research practices
  • Planning your research
  • Managing and recording your research
  • Data selection, analysis and presentation
  • Scholarly publication
  • Professional responsibilities
  • Communication, social responsibility and impact
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Research involving human participants
  • The care and use of animals in research
  • Intellectual property
  • Export controls

Becoming a Reader or Professor Promotion Information Sessions

These information sessions are aimed at sharing information and guidance on preparing an application for promotion to Reader or Professor. They provide an opportunity to learn more about the role and expectations of Readers and Professors within the University of Portsmouth, directly from the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, as well as hearing from recently-appointed Professors and Readers, who will share their experiences of the process and discuss points which could contribute to a good application. There will be time in each session for participant Q and A.

There are three sessions to choose from (one online and two in-person). 

By accessing one or more of the opportunities above, you will make a significant start to working towards your 10 days, and will quickly realise the benefits of this dedicated time, just for you!