Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about the Researcher Development Programme which isn't answered by the list of FAQs below, please contact us at researcher-development@sussex.ac.uk
- Who can attend RDP workshops and events?
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Our workshops and events are designed for current postgraduate researchers (PGRs) at Sussex. Research staff are welcome to attend many workshops if they feel they may be relevant, though are advised to read workshop outlines as some may not be pitched at the right level. Several sessions are restricted to PGRs only.
Unfortunately we cannot provide support to undergraduate or masters students, who can find support through the Skills Hub.
- How do I cancel my place?
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Once you have booked a place on one of our workshops we expect you to make a commitment to attend. Events are often fully booked, and if you have a place booked but do not attend you may have stopped another researcher from taking advantage of the workshop.
Should you need to cancel your place we ask you to do so at least 48 hours in advance so your place can be offered to someone else. You can manage your bookings in Sussex Direct. If you need to cancel with less that 24 hours' notice please email researcher-development@sussex.ac.uk.
Up to 48 hours before the event, you can cancel by clicking the ‘cancel’ button in your Sussex Direct record.
If you don't attend a session it will be recorded as a no-show on your academic record. Booking restrictions may be applied to researchers who consistently cancel workshops at a late stage or do not attend.
- Do I have to attend for the whole workshop?
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We expect participants to attend for the full duration of the workshop as coming in and out can be very disruptive to others, and it might not be possible to catch up on what you have missed.
- I really need to attend a workshop which is full, what can I do?
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Where a workshop is full you can add your name to the waiting list. If someone cancels a place, an automatic email will be sent to everyone on the waiting list, with a link to book a place. Our workshops are repeated regularly and when a new date is organised places will be offered to those on the waiting list.
When a workshop is full an ‘Unenrol’ button will show to prompt those with a place booked to cancel their place should they need to. Please refer to your Sussex Direct training record if you need to check whether you have a place booked.
- Do I need to prepare anything for the workshops?
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You may be asked to prepare for some workshops. This might mean reading or watching a video before the session, preparing an sample of writing, or providing some information so activities can be tailored to your interests and stage of research. Prerequisites are mentioned in workshop listings and reminder emails.
Some workshops may require a certain level of knowledge e.g. SPSS workshops require a basic knowledge of statistical terms and concepts.
- Do I need my supervisor's support to attend?
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The University expects you to discuss your development needs with your supervisor at the start of your research degree, and continue to review these on a periodic basis as you progress. However, you are encouraged to take responsibility for your own professional development.
At your annual review towards the end of your first year you will be asked to complete a report outlining your progress. Within the report you are asked to provide details of any courses or training you have undertaken in the past year, and highlight any further development needs.
- Where are the workshops held?
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RDP workshops are delivered both in-person and online, depending on the needs of the specific workshop. Some sessions are offered in both formats on different dates. Please read the workshop description carefully to find out the format of each workshop you sign up for.
If the workshop is online the link to join will be emailed to your Sussex email address the day before the session.
Face to face workshops take place in various locations across campus, and will be identified in the workshop listing. See the campus map for directions. The AccessAble website has information on access to buildings around campus.
- Do I have to pay a fee to attend?
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There is no fee to attend our workshops, or the UEA Online Training Series webinars we subscribe to.