
Researcher development
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
- Briefly About - Journal Publishing Process
- Briefly About - Planning Your First Academic Paper
- Making Your Publication Open Access
- Open Research at York: the Basics
- Open Research Essentials
- 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
Employability & Career Development
- Advanced Job Application and Interview Skills for Work Experienced Researchers
- Beyond Academia: How to Find a Career That Suits You
- Beyond Academia: Recognising the Value of Your PhD Skills
- CV and Application Essentials for Postgraduate Researchers
- Interview Essentials for Postgraduate Researchers
Online Resources
Managing Your Data
Preparing for Your Thesis & Viva
Presenting & Communicating Your Research
- Academic Posters - Designing Posters in PowerPoint
- Advanced Oral Presentations: Secrets of Great Presenters
- Briefly About - Writing Lay Summaries
- Connecting with Business and External Organisations
- Creating Artefacts for Public Engagement
- Designing Presentations in PowerPoint and Google Slides
- How to Engage a Public Audience with Academia
Visualising Data
- Guide to Effective Data Visualisation
- Optimising for Posters and Presentations
- Refining for Reports and Publications
- Strategy for Successful Research Communication
Online Resources
Public Engagement Opportunities
Supporting & Managing Your Research
- An Introduction to Using Generative AI Tools for Researchers
- Briefly About - Copyright
- Copyright and Licensing: the Basics
- Framing Your Research Question
- How Can Your Work Make a Difference? Introduction to Research Impact and Knowledge Exchange
- Introduction to Intellectual Property and Research Commercialisation
- Managing Sensitive Research Data
- Managing Your PhD/Research Project
- Policy Masterclass
- Responsible Research & Ethics
- 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
York Fellowship Launchpad
- 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
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.
