BU Research Blog

Last month in response to requests from staff, we launched the BU Researcher/Academic Development (BRAD) programme. This is a tailor made framework of development sessions based on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) which you can dip in and out of, undertaking only those sessions you would find helpful.

This holistic framework provides professional and personal development in the key areas of:

A. Knowledge & Intellectual Abilities

B. Personal Effectiveness

C. Research Governance & Organization

D. Engagement, Influence & Impact

The programme comprises of a wide range of facilitated development sessions held on campus (by internal and external presenters), online research modules from Epigeum (so you can learn in your own time) and the Vitae’s RDF. The facilitated sessions cover everything from research skills to personal effectiveness, from using SPSS to creating impact through your research. The online training covers a range of topics from getting published to managing your research career which you can undertake at your own time. On the 16th of this month, we have ‘Personal Effectiveness’ facilitated by Dr Margaret Collins, which will deliver development in work-life balance, keeping focused, prioritisation and time management.

Undertaking the ‘My Academic Development Needs: Self-Assessment’ (MADNSA) will allow you to se your strengths an any gaps in your skills which you need to address in order to get where you want to be in your career (you can also use Vitae’s jazzy Excel version which is more detailed). 

You can read case studies of real academics to see how using the planner based on this assessment has helped transform their careers if you still need a little convincing to complete this and also the top 10 tips from researchers on using the framework.

Why not take some time for yourself and complete the MADNSA and sign up for some facilitated sessions, through the Staff Development webpages and log into myBU  BRAD community to view the online sessions?