Why professional development is important
Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research, but also as part of your longer term career development.
Professional development for doctoral students
Build a strong set of skills to succeed in your doctorate and enhance your future career prospects.
The difference development makes
Find out why researchers are making time to develop their skills
"Professional development delivered me clarity of thought."
Ionannis Costas Batlle, (PhD in Education) and now Lecturer in Education, reflects on the benefits of taking on different activities alongside doctoral study.
I didn't just get a PhD
Jon Chouler, Phd researcher in the Department for Chemical Engineering, reflects on the all-round experience his PhD has given him so far.
Get a head start with professional development
Elizabeth Kaplunov, PhD Health Psychology researcher, reflects on the benefits of training and development.
Get started
Discover the skills you need, make a plan to get them and keep track of your progress.
Managing your professional development - a guide for doctoral students
Find out how to build an impressive set of transferable skills which can help you succeed in your doctorate and whatever you choose to do next
The Researcher Development Framework (RDF)
Find out about the industry standard framework for researcher development. Learn more about your transferable skills and identify areas for development.
A professional development framework for doctoral students
The Researcher Development Framework is the industry standard professional development framework for researchers
Identify development opportunities
Explore the range of online courses and face to face workshops that are available to you as a doctoral student.
DoctoralSkills Workshops and Courses
Researcher development resources to help you to do your research, communicate your findings and complete your doctorate on time
Coming up
Our pick of workshops and courses coming up
'Just three': taking part in the Three Minute Thesis Competition
7 Feb 2019 2.00pm
Room to be confirmed,
University of Bath
Workshop intended to demonstrate the benefits of taking part in the Three Minute Thesis Competition and practical advice on creating an effective presentation
Creating content for social media
12 Feb 2019 10.15am
1WN 3.24,
University of Bath
Learn more about creating content for social media to help promote your research more effectively
Structure of a doctoral thesis (February)
14 Feb 2019 2.15pm
Room to be confirmed,
University of Bath
This workshop will give you an opportunity to think about the effectiveness of the overall organisation of your thesis
Teaching during your doctoral studies
Find out more about the value of teaching experience as a doctoral student and how to get involved.
Teaching during your doctoral studies
Find out more about the value of teaching experience as a doctoral student, how to get involved and what support is available.
How to start teaching as a doctoral student
Find out more about how to get involved with teaching, the training you will need and what support is available.
“If I hadn’t have taught during my PhD I wouldn’t have got my current job.”
Rhiannon Edwards, Teaching Fellow in the Department of Psychology, explains how teaching experience secured her valuable transferable skills - and a job!
"Thanks to teaching, I can take that step back, reflect and improve."
Alex Cousen, final year PhD Researcher, describes how teaching at Bath has helped him to educate so many more people about the wonderful world of science.
