Stirling Graduate Research School November 2007 ’ Doing a PhD at Stirling University’ Introduction Ian Simpson Deputy Principal - Research and Knowledge Transfer

‘What is research?’ Research Research ‘to investigate thoroughly’ ‘to investigate thoroughly’ Discovering new knowledge Discovering new knowledge Revising existing knowledge Revising existing knowledge Doing research Doing research Scientific method Scientific method Hypothesis driven Hypothesis driven Systematic observation / experimentation Systematic observation / experimentation Quantitative Quantitative Arts and Humanities Arts and Humanities Textual, material analyses Textual, material analyses Ethnography Ethnography Cross-disciplinary Cross-disciplinary New frameworks New frameworks New synthesis New synthesis The researcher The researcher Curious Poses questions Ideas Offers new thinking Intellectual Application of mind

‘Why do research?’ Because we can’t help it Because we can’t help it Basic, blue skies research Basic, blue skies research To better ourselves and others To better ourselves and others Employability Employability Applied research Applied research Freedom to decide Freedom to decide Historical perspective on contemporary environmental issues Historical perspective on contemporary environmental issues Commentary on national and cultural identity Commentary on national and cultural identity Foundation for heritage resource management Foundation for heritage resource management Stirling makes a difference Stirling makes a difference ‘Fish pathogen detection’ ‘Great ape conservation and protection’ ‘Human migration and identity’ ‘Faces, communication, child development’ ‘Enhancing self care’

‘A community of international researchers’ Stirling Research Stirling Research Aquaculture Aquaculture Arts, histories and cultures Arts, histories and cultures Children and young people Children and young people Enterprise and economy Enterprise and economy Environments and societies Environments and societies People-centred health care People-centred health care Sport Sport Work, welfare, well-being Work, welfare, well-being Academic supervision Academic supervision Principal and second supervisor Principal and second supervisor Post-graduate tutor Post-graduate tutor SGRS SGRS World-class facilities World-class facilities Within Stirling Within Stirling Through Scottish ‘Pooling’ initiatives Through Scottish ‘Pooling’ initiatives International integration International integration Academic publishing Academic publishing Journals, monographs Conferences & Workshops Conferences & Workshops Presenting your work Research funding Research funding Research Councils; Research Charities; Government Departments; Business and Industry