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Welcome Dear research students and staff We are delighted to present the 2023-2024 Researcher Development Programme (RDP) at the University of Hertfordshire (UH). The RDP has been put together to provide a diverse range of workshops, online resources, events and collaborative activities to support research students and staff development throughout their studies by ensuring they are provided with excellent transferable skills to prepare them for their future career. These sessions will be delivered by experienced academic and professional colleagues who are experts in their field. They are committed to building on what you know and what you need to learn, by engaging with your interests, building on your valuable experience, and providing you with continuous support. The RDP is delivered in three main forums, the main programme listed in this handbook, and our popular annual Spring and Summer Schools (see page 14) which provide additional support for our part-time research students.
It is important that you continually reflect on your skillset and actively engage in your development. Use the Vitae wheel (page 9) to assist you when discussing training needs with your supervisors, research leads and line managers. The RDP follows the standards set out by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It is also mapped against the Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework (RDF), which has become a de facto sector standard for comprehensive research training in the UK. We hope you take advantage of the opportunities offered in this comprehensive handbook. By taking part you will come away with an impressive network of colleagues, contacts, and friends which forms the vibrant research community at UH. We wish you all the best in your studies. The Doctoral College
RDP Manager Dr Shori Thakur 01707 285161 s.n.1.thakur@herts.ac.uk
RDP Team Leader Nicola Bates 01707 284798 n.bates3@herts.ac.uk
RDP Administrator Lynne Mee 01707 284017 rdp@herts.ac.uk
