Transferable Skills Development Institutional support and programmes Zagreb, 10 October 2011

Introductionary remarks Elements of a PhD training The Range of Skills 2 Agenda Introductionary remarks Elements of a PhD training The Range of Skills Implementation of the training scheme Identifying transferable skills Zagreb, 10 October 2011

Introductionary remarks Global challenges need global solutions 3 Introductionary remarks Global challenges need global solutions Global brainpower, education and research on an international level, innovation, knowledge integration/transfer Knowledge transfer is most effectively achieved through the brain of our good graduates, particularly at doctoral level Universities play a critical role in providing intellectual capacity and research potential linkages between education and research activities to societal needs and their application research culture in the society through dissemination activities, not only in and for R&D sectors The doctorate is and must be research based ! Zagreb, 10 October 2011

Elements of a PhD training 4 Elements of a PhD training Taught elements = selected lectures, seminars Professional elements = transferable skills development and training Research element = PhD research project Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 - *graphics copied from M. Ritter, ICL Zagreb, 10 October 2011

5 The Range of Skills We started with the Joint Skills Statement looking at 3 dimensions: Phases Players Areas Research skills and techniques Research environment Research management Personal effectiveness Communications skills Networking and team-working Career management Orientation and preparation phase Research phase Writing up phase PostDoc phase Supervisors Research environment Central support units Zagreb, 10 October 2011

The Range of Skills: Example 6 The Range of Skills: Example Research Skills and Techniques – to be able to demonstrate: the ability to recognise and validate problems original, independent and critical thinking, and the ability to develop theoretical concepts a knowledge of recent advances within one's field and in related areas an understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within one's research field the ability to critically analyse and evaluate one's findings and those of others *Joint Skills Statement Zagreb, 10 October 2011

The Range of Skills: Example Personal Effectiveness – to be able to: 7 The Range of Skills: Example Personal Effectiveness – to be able to: demonstrate a willingness and ability to learn and acquire knowledge be creative, innovative and original in one's approach to research demonstrate flexibility and open-mindedness demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to identify own training needs demonstrate self-discipline, motivation, and thoroughness recognise boundaries and draw upon/use sources of support as appropriate show initiative, work independently and be self-reliant *Joint Skills Statement Zagreb, 10 October 2011

Cornerstones for the Implementation in Vienna 8 Cornerstones for the Implementation in Vienna Complementary offer to the courses at the faculties Workshops are specially tailored to the needs of doctoral candidates Open for doctoral candidates and visiting PhDs only Interdisciplinarity and small groups (max. 20 participants) Usual duration: one to two days NON-compulsary and NO ECTS credits Zagreb, 10 October 2011

Cornerstones for the Implementation in Vienna ctd. 9 Cornerstones for the Implementation in Vienna ctd. Start: Winter term 2009/10 40-50 Workshops / Term Internal co-operations: Library, Computer Service, …. External co-operations: Funding institutions (Austrian Science Fund, Austrian Academy of Science,…) Recruitment of (internationally) experienced trainers as subcontractors Evaluation of each individual workshop the workshop programme Zagreb, 10 October 2011

10 Workshops Orientation Workshops: Library courses, reference management software, funding possibilities Methodological Workshops: Exposé Writing, Academic Writing (German & English), Presentation techniques, SPSS, Atlas ti, Generic Skills: Time and Project management, Rhetoric and Communication Skills, Science Communication Career Development: Grant proposal writing for post doc fellowships, Job application training Zagreb, 10 October 2011

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13 The Value of the Doctorate “The product that the PhD researcher creates is not the Thesis – vital though that is to their subject area through the creation of original knowledge – no, the product of their study is the development of themselves”. Sir Gareth Roberts Zagreb, 10 October 2011

Identifying Transferable Skills The time as doctoral student: 14 Identifying Transferable Skills The time as doctoral student: a progressively specializing process for a singular career path, or a program of research, teaching, scholarship in which you develop a broad skill set that can qualify you for a wide variety of career paths. Zagreb, 10 October 2011

Awareness of Transferable Skills 15 Awareness of Transferable Skills Focus on skills developed instead of content area Education should be seen as a process Inclusive view on skills developed as an undergraduate or in previous jobs, and through personal interests Skills are associated with activities and tasks e.g. teaching, research, serving on committees, organizing colloquia, updating departmental website Zagreb, 10 October 2011

16161616161616161616 Awareness of Transferable Skills: Example Teaching an introductory course in… Tasks: Prepare syllabus Order books Plan and organize lessons Photocopied material for students Prepared lectures and discussions Answered questions, prepared exams, graded papers Evaluated student progress (as a class and individually) Face to face meetings with students to discuss their progress Skills Organizational ability Planning and scheduling ability Public speaking skill Ability to translate new concepts to new learners (and old concepts in new and interesting ways) Interpersonal skills (small and large group skills) Diplomacy Ability to manage groups of people in leading discussions Ability to think on one’s feet Zagreb, 10 October 2011

17 Concluding remarks Transferable skills are developed through the performance of research. An inspiring and open-minded environment and a critical mass of research are prerequisites. Sufficient space, freedom and support must be given to doctoral candidates to develop these skills. Thinking about future career paths must not be delayed until the final phase of the dissertation project. Zagreb, 10 October 2011

lucas.zinner@univie.ac.at http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/ Thanks Contact: lucas.zinner@univie.ac.at http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/ Zagreb, 10 October 2011