Reproducibility is important to the future of research, and is all about working collaboratively, and openly with others. In this workshop we will introduce concepts and tools that researchers are developing and using which aim to make their research more reproducible – so that others can examine their processes, and build on top of findings more easily.

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

• describe what is meant by reproducibility and why it matters
• implement a number of approaches and resources to help you build reproducibility in your everyday workflows, and to make your work easier and more efficient
• utilise reproducibility techniques in ways to manage your project.

RDF categories: 3.4 Open research; 1.3 Organised.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at all stages, early career researchers and academics.

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

As well as covering the publication of your thesis on Sussex Research Online (SRO), this workshop will explain the main principles of copyright, consider how and when UK fair dealing exceptions can be applied, and establish if you need to seek permission to use other people’s work in your thesis.

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

• an awareness of the main principles of copyright
• discovered how to correctly use material created by others in your thesis
• discovered how to publish your thesis on SRO and considered the benefits of open publishing your thesis
• know where to find support and advice.

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

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at all stages.

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

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is the UK’s national system of research assessment, driving the distribution of core research funding to universities. The next REF exercise will take place in 2029. Understanding the REF – its requirements, and its effects on Higher Education and research culture - is essential for everyone who is building a research career in the UK.

By the end of this workshop, participants will understand:

• what is the Research Excellence Framework?
• what is assessed and when?
• what is eligible for REF?
• what’s new for 2029?

RDF categories: 4.2 Research outputs; 5.1 Research culture.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the late stage, early career researchers and academics.

Facilitators: This workshop is delivered by Jen Whitehead, Research Quality Manager in the Research Information, Quality and Impact team.

In this interactive workshop we will de-mystify the policies and processes of research funding, exploring how funding is awarded and managed in the UK and the types of funding that might be available to you. We will introduce the ways in which funding applications are assessed by funders and the important factors to consider before developing a funding proposal.

By the end of this workshop, you will have:

• an awareness of the key funders of research in the UK
• an appreciation of the role of policy, peer review and assessment in research funding
• knowledge of the tools and routes to identify suitable funding opportunities
• an awareness of the different types of funding available for researchers (e.g. fellowships, grants, networking funding, travel funding etc)
• identified the key questions you need to consider before making an application for funding
• knowledge of where to seek further information and support for making applications.

RDF categories: 3.1 Funding and finance; 1.2 Strategic.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the late stage, early career researchers and academics.

Facilitators: Research Coach offers a variety of professional development workshops and events for academics, researchers and higher education professionals.

This workshop explores the role of publication metrics in research assessment. Participants will learn how commonly used metrics, including Journal Impact Factor, h-index, Field-Weighted Citation Impact and Altmetrics, are calculated and applied, while critically examining their strengths and limitations.

By the end of the workshop, you will know how to:

• describe the role of publication metrics in research assessment by institutions, funders and publishers
• critically evaluate commonly used publication metrics, recognising their strengths, limitations and potential biases
• discuss the relationship between open research practices and research visibility, impact and assessment
• apply the principles of responsible research assessment to the use of publication metrics.

RDF categories: 2.4 Digital and technological capabilities; 3.5 Research integrity and ethics; 1.9 Responsible; 3.4 Open research.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at all stages, early career researchers and academics.

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

This workshop introduces the fundamentals of copyright in a research context, including ownership, fair dealing, rights retention and the reuse of third-party materials. The session will focus on Creative Commons licences and other open licensing approaches, helping researchers understand how to share their work openly while protecting their rights and meeting funder and institutional requirements.

By the end of the workshop, you will know how to:

• describe the role of copyright in the creation, dissemination and reuse of research outputs
• determine when and how third-party content may be reused legally
• explain the principles of rights retention and their relevance to research publishing
• distinguish between different Creative Commons licences and their implications for reuse
• choose an appropriate licensing approach to support the open sharing of your research.

RDF categories: 3.5 Research integrity and ethics; 1.9 Responsible; 3.4 Open research.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at all stages, early career researchers and academics.

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