Training and development
As an Arts and Humanities research student you have access to a range of training and development opportunities to help you get the best out of your research and develop professionally.
Research students joining the University undertake a training needs analysis (TNA) and devise a personal development plan. Your TNA tracks your development and is centred on the acquisition of skills in the following areas:
- Becoming an effective researcher
- Advanced research and career skills
- Scholarship and engagement
- Subject-specific skills
On this page
Doctoral Development Programme
This flexible, ongoing training plan forms an integral part of your research degree, and is tailored to your individual needs. It provides research students with a range of skills and competency-based training opportunities orientated both towards their specific programme of study and future employment.
Arts and Humanities modules
A wide range of modules are available including several which are specific to Arts and Humanities students.
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Research Ethics and Integrity This compulsory module enhances your ability to critically analyse/reflect upon your own actions and behaviours when conducting your research, as well as interactions with research participants, supervisors, co-workers, etc. |
Academic Publishing - Editing and Peer Review This module is about the editing and peer review process used in the production of an academic journal. It includes a combination of workshop style teaching and hands-on experience with support from a team of experienced staff members. The completed work will culminate in an issue of the new Faculty of Arts and Humanities Postgraduate Journal, Track Changes |
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Practical Public Engagement This module provides you with the experience of preparing for and delivering a practical public engagement session.
The module is taught collaboratively with Hallam University. |
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Other modules
In addition, there are a number of modules focused on developing research skills and careers development, and English language skills for students whose first language is not English.
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Research skills and library modules: • Introduction to referencing styles |
Careers development modules: • Planning you academic career |
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English language skills modules: • Thesis Writing: Principles and Practice You may also be able to join other graduate level modules including language learning to support your research and development. |
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PebblePad: e-portfolio
PebblePad is an online personal learning space, in which you can gather, reflect upon, and produce evidence for the Doctoral Development Programme, building a record of your personal development at the University of Sheffield.
Everything that you create in PebblePad can be kept private or be shared with others such as peers, supervisors or external users such as placement supervisors or potential employers.
PebblePad is free to use during your research. Once you’ve completed your research, you can either subscribe to continue using PebblePad or choose to export your PebblePad contents.
The Sheffield Teaching Assistant
If you’re interested in developing your teaching skills, these professional development workshops will provide you with invaluable support and skills.
The half day workshops cover four themes:
• Teaching large groups: engaging your audience, designing lectures, strategies for classroom management.
• Teaching small groups: facilitating small group learning activities (seminars) or laboratory demonstrations.
• Supervising research projects: responsibilities of research supervisors, successful project planning and management, developing relationships.
• Assessment and feedback: understanding your role in assessment, effective practice in assessment, providing useful feedback.
No previous teaching experience required. The workshops are fully integrated with the Doctoral Development Programme, and on completion you will receive a University of Sheffield certificate.
University of Sheffield Virtual Graduate School
The University’s Virtual Graduate School (VGS) provides research students with a wide range of online research resources including guides, readings and resources about research skills and topics. These include:
• Research tutorials, and information about research tools and methods
• Literature review and bibliographic skills
• Thesis writing
• Doctoral viva
• Research supervision
• Effective dissemination techniques.
The VGS supports your development of research skills through key phases of the research degree and is aligned with the Doctoral Development Programme.