GRADSKILLS DEVELOPMENT – enhancing postgraduate research and employability Dr Ruth Neiland GRADskills Director University of St Andrews University of St Andrews

GRADskills Aim: ~ to support the development of personal, professional and career management skills by early stage researchers at the University of St Andrews. “Roberts’ Agenda” Winner 2007: “Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers”

Programme management –Centralised, University-wide programme –GRADskills website and database system –DNA, Logbook & Induction –Skills Working Groups GRADskills  Launched Oct 2005  Currently 150 courses & events per year

GRADskills Training & Development Focus ‘Research’ skills Skills needed to complete PhD e.g. - working with a Supervisor -project management -presentation skills -effective writing -surviving the viva Career awareness skills e.g. - understanding academic culture and career pathways -Research funding and fellowships -Mobility and alternative careers -What external employers look for? -Entrepreneurship & business skills All Joint Skills Statement categories ENHANCING RESEARCHERS’ EMPLOYABILITY

Listening to students and other users of GRADskills Feedback, ideas & inspiration not only through assessment forms, student focus groups and questionnaire surveys, but also i) analysis of engagement levels ii) involving Supervisors and PIs Responding to the Research Community

GRADskills Innovations GRADskills Innovations Video-tips projectVideo-tips project - capturing the “student voice” - inter-institutional collaboration - on-line sharing of resources Innovation GrantInnovation Grant - being proactive and creative - funding mechanism

RESEARCH FUTURES conferenceRESEARCH FUTURES conference - inspirational forum on future career potentials for researchers - advice exchange and networking 300 participants including  leading policy advisers  knowledge transfer experts  industrial employers  research funders  publishing specialists,  academics and early stage researchers

KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER SCOTLAND: Policy & Practice Conference KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER SCOTLAND: Policy & Practice Conference University of St Andrews 4 th April 2008 St Andrews & Universities Scotland RCC RT KT & Researchers Informing Public Policy Facilitating Cultural Engagement Stimulating Economic Development Sponsors: Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, UK GRAD Scottish Hub Participants include: Scottish Government, RCUK, MIT, Stanford, Beacons of Public Engagement, NESTA, Knowledge Transfer Programme, Researchers-in- Residence, Scottish Institute of Policing Research, Culture & Sport Glasgow…….

Secret of our success…… Knowing our audience Responding to the research community Being innovative Having a positive message Seeking to foster external links ….and lots of hard work!

Thank you