Make a successful start to your postgraduate degree with this practical workshop, designed to prepare you for the journey ahead. You’ll get the opportunity to meet researchers from across the University and build your skills in communication, problem-solving, and time management.

By the end of the session, you’ll have:

• identified the key skills and attributes of an effective researcher
• considered the challenges of a PGR
• established your priorities
• boosted your confidence in planning and managing your research
• developed a peer support group.

RDF categories: 2.5 Critical thinking and analysis; 3.2 Project management; Researcher: All categories.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stage or who want to refresh their skills.

Facilitators: Dr Fez Sibanda is an Assistant Professor in Education at the University of Sussex, teaching across both BA and MA programmes.

This workshop will look at the key principles of undertaking ethical research, and explain how to go about obtaining ethical approval from the University. There will also be opportunities to consider some case studies, ask questions about your own work, and gain insights on how to embed good ethical practices in your research.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have:

• understood the University process for gaining ethical approval and received guidance on how to make a strong application
• had the opportunity to discuss ethical issues arising in your research and explored how to address them.

RDF categories: 3.5 Research integrity and ethics; 1.9 Responsible.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stage or who want to refresh their skills.

Facilitators: This workshop is designed and delivered by Senior Research Ethics and Integrity Officers from the Research Ethics, Integrity and Governance team.

This workshop will provide PGRs with an introduction to the topic of intellectual property (IP) and how to protect their research and ideas using intellectual property rights.

By the end of this workshop, you will:

• understand the different forms of IP, including patents, designs, copyright and trademarks, and what types of ideas, discoveries and creative works they can protect
• explore how IP can support a range of research-related activities, including external collaborations, consultancy, commercialisation and licensing
• gain insight into how effective IP management can help maximise the value and impact of research outputs.

RDF categories: 4.4 Research translation and commercialisation; 1.9 Responsible.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stage or who want to refresh their skills.

Facilitators: Keith O'Brien is Senior Intellectual Property and Commercialisation Manager in the University of Sussex's Innovation and Business Partnerships team.

This workshop will introduce open research, considering the benefits for researchers, institutions and society. It will provide opportunities for you to consider how open research methods could be embedded into your research and highlight sources of support and further information.

By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:

• define key concepts of open research
• describe the benefits of open research for researchers, institutions and society
• assess how open research practices align with and support your chosen research methodology
• locate sources of support and guidance.

RDF categories: 3.4 Open research.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stage or who want to refresh their skills.

Facilitators: The Library Research Support team support researchers at all levels across the University.

This workshop will introduce you to the Library’s collections and discovery tools. With guidance from the Library Research and Open Scholarship Team, the workshop will highlight key Library resources and services for PGRs.

RDF categories: 2.3 Information and data literacy; 1.1 Development-focused.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stage or who want to refresh their skills.

Facilitators: The Library Research Support team support researchers at all levels across the University.

Doing a research degree poses some unique challenges that can affect your mental health and wellbeing. In this workshop, we will explore these challenges and the factors that influence wellbeing and mental health during the research degree (like isolation or the relation with supervisors) in a supportive environment.

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• reflect on your wellbeing needs and identify factors that support your mental health during your research degree
• develop a personalised self-care plan to maintain wellbeing and resilience throughout your research journey
• recognise when additional support may be needed and identify appropriate wellbeing and support services at Sussex and beyond.

RDF categories: 5.1 Research culture; 1.6 Adaptable; 1.8 Motivated.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stage or who want to refresh their skills.

Facilitator: Oisín Mac Quin (they/them), Humanistic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor at Brighton Therapy Collective, and Dr Sophie Valeix, a Sussex PhD alum and Mental Health First Aider.

The supervisory relationship is crucial to the success of your research degree. In this interactive two-hour workshop, you’ll discover practical tips for optimising this relationship. We’ll consider common problems and develop strategies for overcoming them.

By the end of the session, you’ll have:

• a clearer sense of the supervisory relationship and how it develops
• tools and templates for getting the most out of your supervisory meetings
• techniques for requesting and implementing constructive feedback
• an awareness of common problems and how to deal with them.

RDF categories: 5.4 Supervision and people management; 1.5 Collaborative.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stage or who want to refresh their skills.

Facilitators: Dr Catherine Pope supports researchers in overcoming obstacles and achieving their goals, working with clients from PhD students to Professors.