The Doctoral College is passionate about ensuring we prepare all our research students for the world beyond their doctorate, wherever your career leads.
The Doctoral College has designed seven training and development pillars to help you through your doctoral journey and to support you as a research professional. These pillars are designed to help guide your development as a researcher, culminating in both your thesis and in your confidence as a research professional.
To help you visualise how these pillars shape you as a researcher, we have designed this Training and Development Pillars graphic.
Doctoral College Training and Development Pillars [PDF 1,662KB]
- Doctoral Essentials
- Thriving as a Researcher
- Engagement and Impact
- Ethics and Integrity
- Careers
- Research Culture
- Commercialisation, IP and Enterprise
Doctoral Essentials
It's important you develop the core research skills to guide you through your doctoral journey.
- Master essential research methodologies, data analysis techniques, and academic writing skills.
- Learn how to effectively manage your time and projects to meet deadlines and maintain a balanced workflow.
- Access resources on navigating university systems, from funding options to administrative processes.
Find below activities and resources from the Doctoral College to help you navigate your doctoral journey. Doctoral Essentials is one of our seven key Doctoral Training and Development pillars, designed to support you through your doctoral journey.
Doctoral Essentials training courses
Here is a small selection of training courses related to Doctoral Essentials. To see the full list of training available, visit CPD or the Training Calendar.
Research Culture
Research culture encompasses the behaviours, values, expectations, attitudes, and norms of our research communities. It influences researchers’ career paths and determines the way that research is conducted and communicated.
Research Culture is the environment you create your research in, and the ways people in the university behave and interact with each other.
- Understand the dynamics of research communities, including collaboration, networking, and academic etiquette.
- Explore initiatives aimed at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the research landscape.
- Learn how to engage with and contribute to your research community, both locally and globally.
Research Culture Resources
Ethics and Integrity
Queen Mary is committed to producing and promoting high-quality research to the highest standard.
Researchers must act in an appropriate manner, always maintaining the expected standards of rigour and integrity relevant to their research work. Queen Mary is committed to producing and promoting high quality research that is conducted with the highest standards of integrity.
- Understand the principles of ethical research, including consent, confidentiality, and responsible data handling.
- Learn about the importance of academic integrity, avoiding plagiarism, and ensuring transparency in your research.
- Access guidelines and case studies on ethical dilemmas and how to address them.
Ethics and Integrity resources
Thriving as a Researcher
Foster resilience and wellbeing in your research career.
- Discover strategies to maintain mental and physical health while managing the demands of research.
- Gain insights on building a supportive network of peers, mentors and advisors.
- Explore resources on work-life balance, stress management, and maintaining motivation throughout your doctoral studies.
Find below activities and resources from the Doctoral College to help you navigate your doctoral journey. Thriving as a Researcher is one of our seven key Doctoral Training and Development pillars, designed to support you through your doctoral journey.
Training Courses
Here is a small selection of training courses related to Thriving as a Researcher. To see the full list of training available, visit CPD or the Training Calendar.
- Managing your time and workload in a research environment
- Embracing challenge
- Intercultural communication competency
Careers
Prepare for a successful career within and beyond academia.
- Explore career paths and opportunities available to you, whether in academia, industry, or other sectors.
- Get tips on job searching, CV writing, and interview techniques specific to your field.
- Learn about transferable skills and how to leverage your research experience in various career contexts.
You can access further career support via Careers and Enterprise, where you can seek guidance on topics ranging from choosing a career to finding work experience and starting your own business.
Find below activities and resources from the Doctoral College to help you navigate your doctoral journey. Careers is one of our seven key Doctoral Training and Development pillars, designed to support you through your doctoral journey.
Training Courses
Here is a small selection of training courses related to Careers. To see the full list of training available, visit CPD or the Training Calendar.
- Using your doctorate in industry and beyond: Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences
- Researcher Futures: Career insights for doctoral students
- The Brilliant Club Scholars Programme
Engagement and Impact
Maximise the influence of your research on the wider community.
- Demonstrate your contribution within and beyond academia. Maximise the influence of your research on the wider community.
- Discover strategies for effective public engagement and communicating your research to non-specialist audiences.
- Learn how to build partnerships with industry, policymakers, and the public to enhance the impact of your work. Access tools for measuring and demonstrating the societal benefits of your research.
Find below activities and resources from the Doctoral College to help you navigate your doctoral journey. Engagement and Impact is one of our seven key Doctoral Training and Development pillars, designed to support you through your doctoral journey.
Training Courses
Here is a small selection of training courses suited to Engagement and Impact. To see the full list of training available, visit CPD or the Training Calendar.
- Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
- Designing and delivering a conference presentation
- Publishing in academic journals
Resources
- Evaluating research impact beyond metrics
- Policy engagement and impact resources
- Understanding and engaging policy stakeholders workbook
Commercialisation, Intellectual Property (IP) and Enterprise
Transform your research into tangible innovations and business opportunities.
- Gain insights into protecting your intellectual property and navigating patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
- Learn about the process of commercialising research, including funding options, startups and partnerships with industry.
- Access resources on entrepreneurship skills and turning research ideas into viable business ventures.
Find below activities and resources from the Doctoral College and the wider Queen Mary Community to help you navigate your doctoral journey. Commercialisation, IP and Enterprise is one of our seven key Doctoral Training and Development pillars, designed to support you through your doctoral journey.