The response of Physical Science post-graduates to training courses and the connection to their PhD studies

Citation

Pritchard J, MacKenzie J & Cusack M (2009) The response of Physical Science post-graduates to training courses and the connection to their PhD studies. International Journal for Researcher Development, 1 (1), pp. 29-44. http://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/1759751X201100003

Abstract
Training in both employability and discipline‐specific skills has been provided and expanded over a number of years for post‐graduate research students, (PGRs) in the Faculty of Physical Sciences administered by the Physical Sciences Graduate School (PSGS) at the University of Glasgow. This project explored the training provided in 2005/06 with a view to further developing a programme that students and faculty alike consider appropriate, timely and developmental for the needs of research students. The training provided by the PSGS had grown over a number of years in response to suggestions from academic staff in the Faculty of Physical Sciences. Data were collected from Postgraduate Research students (PGRs) from all the stages of the 3 year PhD process to enable a complete map of views to emerge. In particular, the way PGR students perceive the training they undergo in relation to their core PhD research and career progression was examined. The students in our study also identified clearly where they perceived they were developing such transferable skills, and training sessions are not seen as the sole or even major source; the research group itself would appear to play a major role. The authors believe the finding could inform the provision of PGR training in other UK institutions.

Keywords
Employability; discipline-specific skills; post-graduate research students; transferable skills;

Journal
International Journal for Researcher Development: Volume 1, Issue 1