The Researcher Development Programme (RDP) have opened for registration a number of workshops and events taking place over November, see below some of the upcoming workshops and view the full schedule and details via our webpages.
Please note that workshops are added on a rolling basis so do keep checking our webpages for new additions throughout the Autumn term.
A Comparison of Qualitative Methods (ONLINE)
Date: 02 November 2022
Time: 10:00-12:00 (UK)
Workshop description: This session will compare and contrast the aims, data collection preferences, analytic style, limitations and appropriate usage of four different qualitative methods – grounded theory, thematic analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis and narrative analysis – in order to identify the types of research questions to which each method is best suited. The possibility of conducting by-person or case analyses using qualitative data will also be considered.
Book now via SussexDirect
Preparing for your viva (Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences) – CAMPUS
Date: 03 November 2022
Time: 11:00-14:00 (UK)
Workshop description: The doctoral viva can be a daunting experience for which you need to be well-prepared. This workshop will de-mystify the viva process & requirements, & provide you with useful guidance on preparing for the big day. You’ll also hear examples of real questions & experiences from recent successful vivas across different Schools, & benefit from the opportunity to participate in a mock viva.
Book now via SussexDirect
Networking and LinkedIn for doctoral researchers (CAMPUS)
Date: 04 November 2022
Time: 10:00-11:30 (UK)
Workshop description: This in-person event looks at ideas and methods to help you with your networking with organisations and people who might help your career choices. Building a network of resources and people who can help you can be important in researching and developing a career.
Sign up via Careerhub
Figures, images and visualising information (ONLINE)
Date: 04 November 2022
Time: 14:15-17:00 (UK)
Workshop description: Displaying information in a visual format is an excellent way for researchers to communicate their work. You can enhance your research papers, thesis, conference posters, presentations and public engagement activities with accurate and clear visual representations. This workshop is designed to introduce participants to various types of visual formats including standard graphs, information visualisations and graphics for publication. This workshop will provide an overview of information visualisation and further resources for participants to explore in their own time.
Book now via SussexDirect
Managing your research data (ONLINE)
Date: 08 November 2022
Time: 10:00-12:00 (UK)
Workshop description: How safe is your research data? What would happen if you lost it all? This session will help you to write a data management plan that will keep your data safe, secure, and organised. It will also cover how to find existing datasets and share your own data to increase your citations.
Book now via SussexDirect
Qualitative Interviewing (ONLINE)
Date: 09 November 2022
Time: 10:00-12:00 (UK)
This session will consider three different types of interviewing (structured, semi-structured and unstructured), but with a particular focus on semi-structured or ‘qualitative’ interviewing. Other issues covered will include the nature of interview questions, the design and structure of an effective interview schedule and the mechanics of conducting a successful interview (with different people and to deliver on our research aims). The idea is to share experiences, knowledge and potential ‘tricks-of-the-trade’. Time will be allowed for raising questions and/or issues pertinent to your own PhD studies.
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Literature searching with Scopus and Web of Science (CAMPUS)
Date: 10 November 2022
Time: 11:00-12:30 (UK)
Workshop description: Scopus and Web of Science are online databases which search thousands of peer-reviewed journals to find articles across all disciplines. With useful guidance from the Library Research Support Team, this workshop will show you how to make the most of these two major resources and develop literature searching strategies that you can use across a range of resources.
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Planning, structuring and writing your thesis in the Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences (ONLINE)
Date: 14 November 2022
Time: 13:00-16:00 (UK)
Workshop description: With essential advice and guidance on writing a thesis in the Arts & Humanities or Social Sciences, this practical workshop is suitable for doctoral researchers who are about to start writing as well as those who have already begun. The emphasis is on planning and structuring your thesis, and motivating yourself to start writing.
Book now via SussexDirect
Keeping up to date in your subject (ONLINE)
Date: 16 November 2022
Time: 11:00-12:30 (UK)
Workshop description: There are a number of quick & effective ways to keep yourself up to date with the research going on in your subject area. This workshop will explore the tools and techniques available.
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Analysing Qualitative Data (ONLINE)
Date: 16 November 2022
Time: 13:00-15:00 (UK)
Workshop description: This session will consider and discuss a range of issues relative to the micro-analysis of qualitative data. Using example data throughout, issues covered will include the analyst’s perspective (the aims and nature of their engagement with the data), coding systems, how to choose extracts for analysis in a systematic fashion, the meaning and importance of interpretation, generalizing from qualitative findings and various write-up issues, including the relationship between the analysis and discussion sections of a qualitative report and the creation of impact.
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Making Progress in your Doctorate (ONLINE)
Date: 18 November 2022
Time: 10:00-12:00 (UK)
Workshop description: This half-day workshop has been designed to help you navigate the challenging middle part of your doctorate. The workshop provides an opportunity for you to review what you have done to date, explore how that relates to what you need to achieve overall, & look ahead to what needs to be done in the short-to medium-term future.
Book now via SussexDirect
Working with your Supervisor: Practical Tips for Optimising the Supervisory Experience (ONLINE)
Date: 21 November 2022
Time: 09:00-12:00 (UK)
Workshop description: The supervisory relationship is crucial to the success of your PhD. In this interactive 3-hour workshop, you’ll discover practical tips for optimising this relationship. We’ll consider common problems and develop strategies for overcoming them.
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PhD mental health and Covid19 (ONLINE)
Date: 21 November 2022
Time: 13:00-14:30 (UK)
Workshop description: What do we know of the impact of Covid19 on doctoral research mental health and wellbeing and what to do about it? We will explore some of the latest research on how the pandemic and lockdowns have affected doctoral research. Sophie will share some of her experiences of dealing with a general anxiety disorder and depression and how the pandemic has affected her existing coping strategies. You will be invited to explore your own difficulties through practical exercises that will help identify what you can and cannot influence or control.
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Using Elements – your Sussex research profile explained (ONLINE)
Date: 22 November 2022
Time: 12:00-13:00 (UK)
Workshop description: This workshop will demonstrate the university’s central research management system, Elements. Explore the benefits of building your digital profile to showcase your research and teaching activities.
Book now via SussexDirect
One-day Academic Writing Retreat (ONLINE)
Date: 22 November 2022
Time: 09:30-16:30 (UK)
Workshop description: Are you struggling to get started with your academic writing? Or have you hit a block? If so, this intensive one-day writing retreat can help you get back on track and make significant progress with your article or book. You get the time and space to focus.With guidance from an experienced facilitator, you’ll set realistic goals and achieve them in a supportive environment. The programme includes warm-up exercises, group discussion, 1-2-1 coaching, and plenty of time to immerse yourself in writing. And you’ll receive instruction in advance on how best to prepare for the retreat.
Book now via SussexDirect
How to edit your own academic writing (ONLINE)
Date: 23 November 2022
Time: 09:00-12:00 (UK)
Workshop description: Are you close to a draft of your thesis chapter, article or book contribution? Are you disheartened to feel it resembles a baggy monster that needs taming? If so, come along to this workshop. Through self and group reflective tasks and suggested techniques, you will come away with more ideas for getting your writing into shape.Come prepared with some writing (a draft chapter or section) including a page of which you would be happy to share with peers. During the workshop you will have guidance on polishing and refining your work.
Book now via SussexDirect
Using NVivo for qualitative research (ONLINE)
Date: 23 November 2022
Time: 13:00-15:00 (UK)
Workshop description: This session will introduce students to the NVivo software package, which is designed to help in the organisation, management and analysis of qualitative data. All the basic functions of NVivo will be covered, including the importation, storage, and organisation of various data sources, the potential for transcription, the creation of cases and nodes, classifications and attributes, and the meanings of these terms will be explained.
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Understanding publication metrics (ONLINE)
Date: 25 November 2022
Time: 10:00-11:30 (UK)
Workshop description: Bibliometrics & altmetrics are frequently used to demonstrate the impact & influence of research.This workshop will introduce some of the most commonly used bibliometric indicators and tools. It discusses the importance of the responsible use of bibliometric data, the problems and limitations associated with its use, and which indicators are appropriate in which contexts. It will also look at the University’s commitment to the use of responsible metrics.
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Planning the Final Year of Your PhD (ONLINE)
Date: 25 November 2022
Time: 13:00-15:00 (UK)
Workshop description: There’s so much to fit into to your final year and careful planning is essential. With clear guidance, individual exercises, and group discussion, this practical workshop helps you prepare for the last stages of your doctorate, including submission, the viva, and what happens next. Please note, there is a separate workshop that goes into much more detail on the viva.
Book now via SussexDirect
Your own mental health and wellbeing (ONLINE)
Date: 29 November 2022
Time: 10:00-11:30 (UK)
Workshop description: Why are your mental health and wellbeing different and how to understand and approach both within your specific situation? The workshop will highlight how every experience is different and therefore that solutions to wellbeing challenges and mental distress are also unique to individuals. Sophie will explain how visualising mental health separately form wellbeing can help understand your own situation and strategise. We will talk about the importance of monitoring your mental health/wellbeing over time, and how to do this by learning your triggers and relevant self-care strategies.
Book now via SussexDirect
Wrangling your workload – two part workshop (ONLINE)
Date: 30 November 2022 & 01 December 2022
Time: 09:30-11:30 (UK)
Workshop description: Competing priorities, tight timeframes, and a seemingly endless pipeline of potential opportunities to grow as a researcher can lead to a sense of overwhelm. Sometimes this can be exacerbated by reduced resources and greater responsibilities vying more pressingly for your energy and attention. This two-part workshop will help you scope exactly how your landscape and some of the ‘rules’ of how you work may have changed. You’ll review the extent and limits of your working environment, review your priorities and what that means for your workload in any given moment. Then you’ll be in a better place to define how you choose to work within those changes.
Book now via SussexDirect
Researcher Development Team
Doctoral School | University of Sussex
Sussex Researcher Development Programme
@SussexDocSchool
Doctoral Connections 