Researcher development
Develop your research skills with our programme of workshops, support groups and resources.
The Research Culture & Researcher Development Team, Library and Archives, IT Services and the Academic Skills Community provide support and advice to help you thrive as an independent researcher. We can help you learn to:
- communicate your research to specialists and non-specialists;
- engage with those who can assist, promote and act upon your research;
- manage your time and resources;
- take responsibility for the legal and ethical aspects of your research;
- collaborate and network effectively;
- demonstrate enthusiasm, integrity and flexibility.
Browse our wide range of training via our Skills Programme or by our Professional Development Themes below. All training sessions are booked via SkillsForge, where you can also browse our upcoming workshops.
York Researcher Development Programme 2025-26 (PDF 
, 2,627kb)
Watch: Professional Development during your PhD
Getting started
All first year postgraduate researchers must complete a Professional Development Plan (PDP). To help develop your PDP, you should complete a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) to help identify current levels of skills/expertise and areas of development. Your TNA and PDP can be reviewed as part of TAP and supervisory meetings.
Key professional development themes
Academic Writing
- All Day Writing Retreat
- Briefly About - Planning Your First Academic Paper
- Making Your Publication Open Access
- Searching the Literature
- Your Research Profile, Reputation and Impact - An Introduction to Bibliometrics
Fundamentals of Academic Writing
- Laying the Foundation for Clear Writing
- Strategies for Effective Drafting
- Strategies for Effective Editing
- Getting the Writing Written
Online Resources
Effective, Responsible & Impactful Research
- An Introduction to Using Generative AI Tools for Researchers
- Copyright and Licensing for Research: the Basics
- Framing Your Research Question
- Introducing the Open Research Team
- Introduction to Intellectual Property and Research Commercialisation
- Managing Sensitive Research Data: Key Principles
- Managing Your PhD/Research Project
- Open Research Practices and Principles: the Basics
- Policy Masterclass
- Responsible Research & Ethics
- Trusted Research and Due Diligence
- What Goes Into a Grant?
Online Resources
Required VLE modules
The following mandatory training is available on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE):
- Research Data Management Tutorial
- Research Integrity Tutorial
Employability & Career Development
- Beyond Academia: How to Find a Career That Suits You
- Beyond Academia: Recognising the Value of Your PhD Skills
- Building your Profile on LinkedIn
- Creating your Career Narrative
- CV and Application Essentials for Postgraduate Researchers
- Interview Essentials for Postgraduate Researchers
Online Resources
Managing Your Data
- Archiving your Research Data
- Beginners Guide to Quantitative Data Analysis
- Choosing the Right Statistical Software for you
- Data Management Plans: Getting Started
- EndNote
- Getting Started with RStudio
- Getting Started with SPSS
- Getting Started with STATA
- Introduction to NVivo
- Research Data Management: the Basics
- Using Generative AI with Research Data: Case Studies
Online Resources
Preparing for Your Thesis & Viva
Presenting & Communicating Your Research
- Academic Posters - Designing Posters in PowerPoint
- Advanced Oral Presentations: Secrets of Great Presenters
- Communicating your Research Using Generative AI
- Designing Presentations in PowerPoint and Google Slides
- Engaging the Public with your Research
- Presenting Data Clearly and Effectively
Online Resources
Public Engagement Opportunities
York Fellowship Launchpad
Launchpad sessions will return from Semester 2, new dates will be added in due course
- NAVIGATE: Leverhulme Early Career Fellowships
- EXPLORE: Research Funding (and Why it Matters to You!)
- EXPLORE: What is an Early Career Fellowship?
- EXPLORE: Choosing the Right Scheme for Your Research
- EXPLORE: Finding a Fellowship Mentor
- EXPLORE: Developing a Fellowship Application: Step by Step
- NAVIGATE: UKRI Future Leaders Fellowships
- EXPLORE: Identifying your Professional Development Needs in Fellowship Proposals
- EXPLORE: Writing a Lay Summary Within a Fellowship Application
- EXPLORE: Getting Started with Your Narrative CV
- EXPLORE: Planning for Impact in Fellowship Applications
Online Resources
Internal Resources
- eResources Guide
- Interactive Guide to Creating Your Lab Handbook
- Planning your Professional Development
- Practical Guides
- Research Culture & Researcher Development Resources
- Skills Guides
- Subject Guides
- The Anti-Racist Research Toolkit
External Resources
- Narrative CVs (kindly provided by University of Sheffield)
- White Rose University Consortium
Peer support
The Academic Skills Community gives you the opportunity to further develop academic skills including academic writing, critical thinking and communication via online resources, skills workshops and one to one appointments. These are specifically designed for advancement of academic, language and communication skills in relation to your goals and aspirations.
