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• • About the Researcher Development Programme
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Part time and distance researchers

We want to enable our part-time and distance researchers to access our programme and are working to make more of our workshop content available online. Explore the headings below to find out more.

Online training

Our Researcher Development Programme offers a number of online modules which provide an opportunity to learn or develop key researcher skills at a time and place that suits you.

Many of the workshops cover the content of our taught workshops, and you can work through them at your own pace. Take a look at the online resources webpage and our .

The Sussex Researcher School (SRS) also subscribes to the UEA online training series for PGRs, which offers research and professional skills training to PGRs across the UK. The course consists of five modules which are repeated throughout the academic year, and at different times of the day. More information is available on our online resources page. 

Online workshop delivery

Many of our RDP workshops are delivered online, via Zoom. Check the listing when you register for a session to see whether it is an online or in-person session.

Keep an eye on our events listing for forthcoming online workshops. It isn't always appropriate to deliver sessions virtually but if there is a topic you would particularly like to see covered in this format let us know. 

Online researcher communities

Engaging with other researchers through online forums will increase the reach of your research, and provide some helpful peer support. There are many ways to connect with other researchers:

Sussex Online Elements Profile -  Elements allows you to present yourself and your research with an online profile, and to gather all of your research outputs in one place. It also integrates with the 'People' section of your department.

- This hashtag on Twitter is a useful stream to discover what other postgraduate researchers (PGRs) are up to. Every Wednesday night between 19:30 and 20:30 PGRs from around the world join a live chat under this hashtag.

- Prof Pat Thomson and Dr Anuja Cabraal bring together resources for PhDing during a pandemic and host regular Twitter chats.

is a platform for sharing and following research. You can upload and share your papers, presentations and experiences, and connect with other researchers.

provides a similar platform for researchers in the sciences.

There is also a series of blogs which you can follow dedicated to the topic of postgraduate research. A few to get you started include:

 - the blog produced by our Hive Scholars

 (also includes a list of 'more like us' blogs)

 - Pat Thomson, professor of Education at 5XÉçÇøÊÓƵ of Nottinghom, on research education, academic writing, pubic engagement, funding, and other eccentricities. 

Researcher wellbeing

Postgraduate research is exciting but can be challenging and sometimes results in stress and unhappiness, affecting academic performance. Problems can arise with motivation and focus, exacerbated by a sense of isolation or by not knowing how to access help.

See our pages on wellbeing and sources of help and support to find out about the support services available to you at Sussex and beyond.

The RDP includes workshops on looking after your mental health, boosting resilience, dealing with imposter phenomenon and more. See the All RDP workshops page to sign up or join the waiting list.

Hear from other part-time researchers

Visit the  to watch successful part-time researchers from a range of disciplines and career stages discuss undertaking a doctorate on a part-time basis.

Funding for organising your own event or public engagement activity

If you're interested in organising your own professional development, public engagement or community initiative, perhaps with other PGRs within your own or another School, you can apply for up to £750 from our Researcher-Led Initiative Fund. A round of fundingy opens ever Autumn.