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Support For Applicants

The CPD Scheme is a non-taught route through which individuals develop their own application for Fellowship. To support you with this, we have developed a range of support you can access. This page outlines the range of support available.

Website

These webpages provide all the information you’ll need to get started and a wide range of support material/resources for developing your application. These are closed pages but open to any UoR member of staff. You can access these by following the onscreen instructions, using your university password, as you would to log in to your computer. 

Access the resources using the links below:

Each folder contains a range of materials organised by category of fellowship, including 

  • Screencasts 
  • Handbook 
  • Applicant Support Packs 
  • Writing guides with details of each section of the application  
  • Reading lists 
  • Critical Friends List 

Here to Help

‘Here to Help’ sessions are windows of time available for you to ask any questions raised as a result of visiting the website and reading the handbook. These sessions are a good opportunity to discuss any general queries or just put a face to a name. We reserve a one hour slot every Friday morning 9-10am. If this is not part of your usual working pattern, we can work together to try to find a mutually convenient alternative. 

 

You can book a 10 minute slot within this time window by sending a calendar invite to Aaron (aaron.cooper@reading.ac.uk). The invite will either be confirmed, or moved to the next available Friday depending on availability. You can also add any questions you might have in advance of the meeting by including them in the invitation.

Feedback

You have access to a number of sources of feedback and we encourage you to make use of as many of these as possible. While feedback is not a requirement for submission it will dramatically improve your prospects of success at the first attempt.  

1. Initial feedback should be sought from someone who has been through the scheme and who has knowledge of the PSF and the application requirements.  

  • We have complied a directory of Critical Friends; successful applicants who have agreed to support future applications by providing advice and feedback.  
  • You may also have someone specific in mind. This could include those you intend to use as referees. You may also want to refer to our Alumni List. While this contains information on all completers, they have not advised that they are available to support colleagues and so any contact is at your own/their discretion. Your SDTL may be able to offer some insight and advice on identifying someone to approach for feedback. 

We suggest you engage in two sequential reviews before accessing the feedback meeting with the CPD scheme manager. This helps us ensure that we can support all applicants and use the final meeting to refine the application.    

2. Final Feedback: All applicants can request a 30 minute one-to-one consultation appointment with the CQSD ADE team where we can give oral feedback on your draft application (please note, we are unable to provide written feedback). We have considerable expertise in what makes a successful application so we strongly recommend making use of the opportunity.  Please email Aaron to book an appointment. You will be asked to confirm you have had, and acted on, two previous layers of feedback. 

Scheduling is the applicants responsibility and any draft reviews need to be submitted in a reasonable timeframe. Applications are large documents and as such take time to read. Reviewers will require need to find time in their own schedules, read, and provide considered feedback. You will also need time to integrate this feedback in to the next draft before the submission deadline. Submission windows roll throughout the year to enable colleagues to submit without pressure.  

As a result we are unable to schedule any final feedback meetings in the week before a submission window closes. 

Regular communication 

Aside from information and guidance on applications we also provide regular updates on the scheme, any opportunities or upcoming activities.  

  • Newsletter: The Newsletter shares statistics relating to the progress of the scheme, and provides updates on key issues or activities that colleagues may want to be aware of. These range from opportunities for continued involvement such as acting as a reviewer or critical friend. They also touch on developments such as the release of the new PSF.   
  • Fellowship First: On the first of every month we send out a short ‘Fellowship First’ email sharing something we think applicants will find useful (resources to draw on; quick and fun activities to participate in; tips and hints etc).  
  • We also send a termly email to all applicants with important updates.