Research training
Queen Mary is committed to making sure that all students working towards research degrees are given access to the tools they need to make a success of their studies. Our ultimate mission is to produce well-qualified, employable and experienced researchers, and to satisfy the requirements of the UK Research Councils and the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.
What this means in practice is that you will have access to high-quality, relevant training opportunities that will not only support you during your time here, but will prove invaluable in your future career – whether inside or outside academia. You do not have to pay additional fees for research training courses.
Research training and development opportunities are available in the following ways:
- Subject-specific training is delivered primarily through your academic school or department in the shape of supervision meetings, research seminars, and dissertation colloquia.
- Your school or department will also tell you about professional and transferable skills training organised at a faculty level. This may cover areas such as dissertation management (ie, how to finish on time), academic publishing, research ethics, knowledge transfer, funding your research, and developing an academic career.
- The College’s Learning Institute provide workshops throughout the year on professional development (including teaching training), personal effectiveness and research management. A particularly popular course for doctoral students is ‘Relax about Writing’. Other courses include: ‘Starting your PhD’; ‘Making a poster presentation’; ‘Negotiation and assertiveness skills in a research environment’; ‘Managing research projects from start to finish’; ‘Writing for publication in refereed journals’; ‘The viva’ and ‘Surviving a part-time PhD’
To find out more about the courses offered by the Learning Institute and book a place, see The Learning Institute course listing.
Research training at faculty level
Although some research training is interdisciplinary, students will have varying needs according to their chosen subject area.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences students have access to a range of specialist talks and workshops. Attendance is compulsory at some of these – your school or department will be able to give you more information. Recent workshops include: ‘CV clinic’; ‘Research ethics’; and ‘Funding’.
Science and Engineering
As well as the courses offered by the Learning Institute, each school provides its own specialised skills training for first year students. In subsequent years each school organises an annual research poster / conference to which each second and third year student is expected to participate. Usually you will also have the opportunity to present your research at an international conference.
Medicine and Dentistry
As well as a through skills induction for all new students, there are regular workshops designed to support you through the key milestones, such as ‘Preparing your probationary report’; ‘Preparing to upgrade’; ‘Writing your thesis’; and ‘Preparing for your viva’. For more information, see the School of Medicine and Dentistry website