At the University of Reading, we are dedicated to helping our researchers fulfil their potential and make a difference globally. We're committed to supporting your well-being and professional development. Your manager, professional development colleagues and mentors will support you to gain the skills and experience you need to achieve your ambitions. On this page, you'll find information about the professional and career development resources available to researchers at Reading.
What training does the Doctoral and Researcher College offer to early career research staff (ECRs)
Alongside staff training available through UoRLearn, the Doctoral and Researcher College offers selected researcher development opportunities to early stage ECRs (following the award of a doctorate and prior to a permanent contract). College ECR training:
- includes a number of bespoke courses designed specifically with an early ECR context in mind
- offers access to a significant portion of the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP) and other College training programmes including the Leadership Programme (in collaboration with Henley Business School), Springboard and Preparing to Teach.
Our training supports various professional and research capabilities including enhancing skills in project design, grant writing, community engagement, research communication and project management. College training contributes to your recommended ten days of personal and professional development per year and complements the staff training offered by People Development and other University departments. Our training offer varies across years but example courses are provided below.
Bespoke training designed for ECRs
The Early Career Building Blocks Programme is aimed at early stage ECRs who are at the beginning of planning their next steps. The programme will take several broad building blocks needed for working towards future funding applications as a central theme but will support skills that have broader applications within academia and beyond. Content includes how to conceptualise and grow strong project ideas, designing for impact, nurturing collaborations and connections in your research (including with your participants) and a deep dive into storytelling for grant writing.
Storytelling for grant applications (external trainer, part of Building Blocks). A successful research career relies on a steady stream of funding. But many of us undersell our ideas, ourselves and our achievements, or we struggle to communicate our research ideas as a cohesive narrative. This is where storytelling comes in. In this three-part workshop materials scientist, grant writer and professional storyteller Dr Anna Ploszajski will teach you how to define your research story − past, present and future.
Promoting yourself and describing your work with impact (external trainer). This informal and creative half day session focusses on strategic thinking on career direction and how to present your skills and ambitions to others. Led by Dr Steve Cross, a science communicator with extensive experience in research communication (formerly Head of Public Engagement at UCL and Wellcome Trust Engagement Fellow) the session supports participants in articulating their professional identity with clarity and impact. Designed for early career researchers and students beyond the midpoint of their doctorate, the session is open to all disciplines and delivered in person. You can find out more about Steve and get a flavour of his training style at http://drstevecross.com.
Revisiting Impact - Planning beyond the early stages (external trainer). While the ideal research process integrates impact planning from the start, real-world projects often evolve in unexpected ways. What happens when initial plans for impact are limited or need to change? This practical course supports researchers in revisiting, refining, or developing their impact strategies at later stages in the research cycle. It is particularly valuable for those whose research has shifted direction, closing off some pathways to impact while revealing new ones. You'll be encouraged to explore fresh opportunities and consider how your evolving research can still deliver meaningful impact.
Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP)
Alongside bespoke training, the Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP) is a large suite of training open to ECRs and postgraduate researchers. Topics covered include research impact, communicating your research, job interview success, publishing, epistemology, applying for funding and working with hard to reach groups.
How do I see full course details and College training for ECRs?
HR provides details of current ECR staff to the College and we contact you directly about our training opportunities each semester. If you are an ECR member of staff but do not receive details from us, please email Sue Glover.
