Generic & Transferable Skills
Generic skills training plays an important role in helping research students to successfully complete their PhD and also provides a strong platform for future employment. In 2001/2, the UK Government initiated a review into the supply of science and engineering skills in the UK, led by Sir Gareth Roberts. The final report SET for Success was published in 2002. One of its most significant recommendations was that all research degrees "should include the provision of at least two weeks' dedicated training a year, principally in transferable skills...". The UK Research Councils play an important role in setting standards and identifying best practice in research training. In 2001 they published the 'Research Councils Joint Skills Statement' (JSS).
In 2009 the Researcher Development Framework (RDF) was created in response to a range of recommendations to create a UK development framework for postgraduate researchers and research staff in higher education institutions. It has been designed to be a tool for planning, promoting and supporting the personal, professional and career development of researchers and aims to underpin researcher development in UK institutions. It is the evolution of the Research Councils’ Joint Skills Statement (JSS) and replaces the JSS as the key reference statement for policy makers and research organisations that provide personal, professional and career development for postgraduate researchers and research staff employed in higher education.
Generic Skills
Generic skills are those that will support you and your development, whatever your research topic. For example, the second year research student assessment requires you to give a presentation on your research. If you are unsure how to do this, there are generic training courses that will help you improve your presentation skills.
The Graduate School monitors your development via specific questions on the routine monitoring forms, and as part of the first year and second year progress assessments.
Booking of Graduate School and Researcher Development Unit courses is done through Researcher Development Unit Website.
