Support & Advice
Information held within this section of the web site is intended to support you with your research and career development.
It includes the following sections:
University of Manchester: Resources and Services
The University of Manchester provides a comprehensive range of support services that can can help and support you with your research, and the development of your career.
Careers Service - Provides advice, support and skills training and employability opportunities for researchers, including information on job opportunities, finding out about different careers, getting help with CVs, applications and interviews, mentoring programmes and opportunities to meet employers. See also the Manchester Postgraduate Careers Blog and Careers for Doctoral Researchers - a web resource specifically targeted at doctoral researchers.
Counselling Service - Provides a confidential service to help you handle any pressures or difficulties you may be experiencing. The Counselling Service offers one to one sessions and workshops on subjects including reducing stress, coping better with academic pressure, and improving confidence and self esteem.
Crucial Guide- Provides information on the wide range of support services available to you as postgraduate student at The University of Manchester.
IP Awareness Resource - This resource is targeted at academics and research staff and its aim is to increase the awareness of IP and demonstrate the benefits of its commercialisation to the University and the IP generator. Featuring a series of video clips by professionals and academic colleagues on various aspects of IP and its commercialisation, the resource aims to gives you a valuable insight into the types of IP which can be used to protect novel ideas/inventions and how, for example, IP can be commercialised via spin-out or licence with the help of UMIP.
IT Services - Offers a range of online training materials covering many of the popular IT applications used at the University.
Library Information and Skills Programme for Researchers - As part of the University's strategy on research skills training the Library offers a high quality, skills programme specifically aimed at researchers and their needs. In an effort to meet the diverse needs of all researchers the programme delivers access to resource documentation in an electronic format, face-to-face training and the option of one-to-one advice via discipline specialists.
methods@manchester - Highlighting the depth and breadth of methodological expertise in the social sciences at the University of Manchester. Promoting and facilitating methodological excellence, innovation and inter-disciplinarity.
Research to Enterprise - The research enterprise centre encourages those currently in research positions, such as those studying for a postgraduate research degree or in a postdoctoral research position, to be more enterprising, and looks at the commercial potential of research. The site contains resources such as case studies, podcasts of leading entrepreneurs and examples of how entrepreneurs have turned their ideas into a thriving business. See also Manchester Enterprise Centre.
Research Office - Supports the ongoing development and implementation of strategy and policy for research and graduate education, in accordance with the strategic objectives established by the University. They also provide expert professional services in areas of research funding and research business development including research contract negotiation and European research. The Research Office also publishes STEPS - Skills Training Essentials for PGR Students Newsletter. Also see the STEPS blog.
Student Guidance Service - A confidential service offering students the opportunity to discuss any matters that may be affecting academic progress.
Student Portal - Brings all your online services together in one place. Using a single login with your university username and password you can check your email, your library account, get your exam timeable, access your P:drive and your Blackboard account for elearning materials and courses.
University Language Centre - Offers English language and academic skills support in the form of part-time courses, workshops for specific groups and individual tutorial support.
University of Manchester Intellectual Property Limited (UMIP) - Enhances the scale and quality of The University's intellectual property development and commercialisation activities. UMIP works with researchers, entrepreneurs, business people, professional advisers and investors. It runs a series of best practice seminars and produces a number of useful researcher guides, including - IP & Confidentiality, Spin out Companies, Licensing, Researcher Contracts, Consulting and Academic Materials & Publishing.
University of Manchester Policies and Procedures - A complete list of policies and procedures relevant to staff and students at the University, including the Personal Development Review (PDR) and staff training and development procedures.
Women in Science and Technlogy (WiSET) - A network for all female students, research and academic staff in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
Other: Resources and Services
GRADBritain online magazine - GRADBritain is a magazine written by and for postgraduate researchers in the UK. It is published times per year and contains articles written by PGRs of all ages and backgrounds from a variety of disciplines in the sciences, arts and humanities. GRADBritain provides a platform for PGRs throughout the country to share experiences, advice, and ask questions in order to improve the experience of their PhD. On occasion, it may even make you laugh.
Graduate Junction- The largest postgraduate community where you can find and connect with others within your field of study or who share your research interests. Connect with others that share your interests - Share hints and tips on postgraduate life - Inspire others with your work and guidance.
Graduate Prospects - The UK’s official graduate careers support service, provides a range of postgraduate services on behalf of the UK higher education sector, including the national postgraduate database and postgraduate online application service. In addition to publications, Prospects also provides online careers advice and guidance to students and graduates.
JISCmail - An electronic mailing list service specifically for the higher and further education and research communities and is a free service. It uses the world wide web and e-mail to enable groups of academics and support staff to talk to each other and to share information. There are over 4000 lists covering many categories. If you are unable to find a list on your chosen subject and you can satisfy the JISC criteria then you may start one of your own.
Plagiariasm - University of Leeds Guide - This web site brings together a range of resources for both staff and students, to raise awareness of ways to reduce plagiarism and improve academic integrity. It includes a very useful online quiz (to log in use grads, grads) with which to test your working knowledge of plagiarism.
Postgraduate Toolbox - Brings together a wealth of resources available to support postgraduates from all subject areas, whether undertaking a Masters or PhD. You can find advice on life skills such as time management or practical help such as proof-reading or need to print and bind your thesis.
ResearchProfessional - An essential website for all researchers that provides funding opportunities and news on research policy and politics. They offer a complete funding opportunity alert service, covering every discipline.
Support for International Science, Technology and Engineering Research - This site has been developed by the British Council and provides information for postdoctoral researchers who are looking for funding for international collaborations, training, travel grants to attend a meeting or courses abroad.
Vitae - The a national organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes. They have pages dedicated to Postgraduate Researchers, run national and regional development events and produce resources to support both research students and research staff.
Public Engagement
Get a different perspective on your discipline and acquire new skills by becoming involved in public engagement activities. Here are some suggestions:
Beacons for Public Engagement: The Manchester Beacon - Manchester holds one of the six newly formed 'Beacons' for public engagement. This is a collaboration between The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, The University of Salford, the Museum of Science and Industry and Manchester : Knowledge Capital. The Manchester Beacon is at the forefront of efforts to bring about a substantial change in the culture of academic institutions, encouraging and assisting staff and students to enthusiastically reach out, listen to and engage with the public. See also National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE).
Bright Club Manchester The Thinking Person's Variety Club - Blends comedy, science, music and anything else that can happen on stage.
Our experts dissect one of the important things in life from eight different directions, and all in Bright Club's unique style.
Café Scientifique - Developed to engage everyone in the latest ideas in science and technology. Meetings take place in cafes, bars, restaurants and even theatres, but always outside a traditional academic context. (Manchester Cafe Scientifique is held at KROBAR, Oxford Road, 6:00 PM on the last Wednesday of every month.)
Lab in a Lorry - An interactive mobile science laboratory staffed by volunteer practising scientists and engineers. The aim of Lab in a Lorry is to give young people aged 11-14 the opportunity to do experimental science in the way it actually happens; exploratory, accidental, informed by curiosity and intuition, but also bounded and guided by the experience and insight of practicing scientists. (Scotland only)
NESTA (National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts) - A unique and independent body with a mission to make the UK more innovative. NESTA invests in early-stage companies, inform and shape policy, and deliver practical programmes that inspire others to solve the big challenges of the future. NESTA also runs Crucible an annual programme bringing together post-doctoral researchers from across the disciplines to explore innovative, collaborative opportunities for research, policy making, and public engagement.
Nuffield Science Bursaries - Fund four week A level student projects, giving researchers experience of supervising a project student. These bursaries are also co-ordinated in Manchester by SETPOINT.
Ogden Trust - Runs hands-on science sessions for 13 yr olds and offers Ogden Teaching Fellowships for researchers to gain experience teaching in schools, and runs some 'masterclass' residential science courses at the University.
Researchers in Residence - This scheme facilitates a mutually beneficial relationship between researchers and secondary school students by placing researchers (PhD and post doctoral) in secondary schools across the UK. The scheme is open to all postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers who are funded directly, or indirectly, by any of the Research Councils, RCUK or the Wellcome Trust. By taking part in Researchers in Residence you will be able to share why your research is relevant and exciting, encourage and develop the researchers of the future, whilst also gaining valuable communication skills, confidence and networking experience.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET) - Aims to teach young people about science and technology and encourage them to pursue careers in these fields. The Science and Engineering Ambassadors (SEASs) programme is a flagship scheme in which volunteers get involved in activities such as supporting school activities, offering mentoring and assisting schools when they participate in STEM competitions and events.
SETPOINT Greater Manchester - runs primary and secondary school projects, such as Lab in Lorry, organises school science competitions, guest speakers at schools, Nuffield bursaries and more.
Sense About Science and Voice of Young Science - helps research scientists in the early stages of their career to get actively involved in public debates about science. It is run through the sense about science charitable trust and promotes good science and evidence in public debates. They promote researchers to engage actively with a wide range of groups, particularly when debates are controversial or difficult and provide additional training to support you.
The Crescent Network - A network for researchers and venue managers to connect and bring cutting edge research and the public together. This network was created to give those new to research and academia an opportunity to dip their toe into the pool of public engagement. From viewpoints on politics and history to quantum entanglement, speakers will post their talk titles and their research interests on their pages, where venue managers can find something a little different to offer.
Widening Participation - Academics and researchers in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences can work with the Widening Participation team to excite and enthuse more young people to consider taking physical sciences/engineering in HE. Activities are targeted so that work is mainly focused with individuals who have the potential to succeed at University, but for a variety of reasons, may not have considered higher education a possibility. (EPS contact, alan.parlane@manchester.ac.uk who co-ordinates many activities at the University including physics/science open days, Girls in Aerospace, awareness sessions and post-16 masterclasses. Also see the Widening Participation website.