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RSD – Research Skills Development

EUTOPIA Escola Doutoral

The Research Skills Development (RSD) is a course developed in collaboration with Imperial College London and was designed to cover the key transferable skills needed by early stage PhD researchers in order to enhance their personal and research capabilities. This is an immersion course that involves staying at the Convent of Arrábida for 4 days and 3 nights. This course is intended for PhD students at NOVA University and PhD holders working at NOVA (Professors, researchers,…), students from partner universities and external students.

Registrations

12 de July, 2024

Programme Details

Rationale

This course aims to develop essential personal and research effectiveness competencies for doctoral students investigating in different fields of knowledge. Through interactive activities, discussions, and reflective exercises, students will enhance their skills in team collaboration, understanding the PhD process, communicating research effectively, and designing collaborative research projects. The course emphasizes experiential learning, self-awareness, and personal growth.

Syllabus

This Curricular Unit has the following LU (learning units):

  1. Course introduction and expectations
  2. Creativity (techniques and application)
  3. Team Dynamics and Self-Awareness
  4. Managing and understanding the PhD process
  5. Communication
  6. Research Collaboration

Learning outcomes

By the end of this Curricular Unit the students will be able to (learning outcomes LO):

  1. Collaborate effectively within a interdisciplinary team to achieve common goals
  2. Demonstrate skills in active listening, giving/receiving feedback, and resolving conflicts
  3. Contribute meaningfully to team discussions and decision-making processes
  4. Explain complex scientific concepts and research findings to non-expert audiences
  5. Tailor communication style and content to the needs of different target audiences
  6. Engage in respectful and constructive dialogue with peers and stakeholders
  7. Develop a proposal for a collaborative research project, including goals, methods, expected outcomes and marketing
  8. Demonstrate self-awareness, adaptability, and resilience in the face of challenges
  9. Manage time and prioritize tasks effectively to meet deadlines
  10. Reflect on and incorporate feedback to enhance personal and professional growth

References

  • De Bono, E. (1995) Serious creativity. The Journal for Quality and Participation. 18. 12 – 18.
  • Bridget Juniper, Elaine Walsh, Alan Richardson & Bernard Morley (2012) A new approach to evaluating the well-being of PhD research students, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 37:5, 563-576, DOI: 10.1080/02602938.2011.555816
  • Elaine Walsh (2011) Publishing from your PhD: negotiating a crowded jungle, Studies in Higher Education, 36:8, 1003-1005, DOI: 10.1080/03075079.2011.643072

Registrations + Fees

NOVA PhD students – Free of charge, enrolment via the platform: https://www.unl.pt/inscricoes

PhD students from other institutions: Fee 1800€. More information and enrolment via email nova.doctoral.school@unl.pt

PhD Students from Partners Institutions – Fee 1500€”

 

Course Duration

2ECTS | 4 days| 56h Working hours

Schedule

3 nights, 4 days in residential mode

Language

English

Teaching Regime

In Person | Residential

Faculty

Professor Doctor Alexandra Dias Santos (NOVA FCSH)
Professor Doctor Elsa Caetano (ENSP NOVA)
Professor Doctor Guilherme Victorino (NOVA IMS)
Professor Doctor Joana Marques
Professor Doctor João Cordeiro (ENSP NOVA)
Professor Roberto Henriques (NOVA IMS)

It’s a very interesting course, it allows you to network with other students at the university, something you wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to do. The experience, the location and the activities carried out make for an experience that effectively marks the course of the doctorate.
NOVA’s PhD Candidate on the Research Skills Development course