Researcher Talent Development

Introduction

The RSDT (Research Staff Development Team) are running a programme over 2011 for research staff who are potentially high-flying academics.  We are inviting nominations. 

Programme

The programme will consist of a Development Centre over two consecutive days in February 2011, including sessions based around Personal Effectiveness; Professional & Career Development; and Communication, Influencing & Impact. 

The second phase will then be a real-life Southampton University assignment, alongside a selection of optional top-end workshops and individual mentoring and/or coaching, continuing over a period of 9 months or so. 

Following that, participants will deliver a presentation of the outcomes of the assignment and attend a reprise and personal planning day around November/December 2011 (dates to be agreed by participants).

Participant Eligibility (at 01 Jan 2011)

  • Must be Southampton University Research Staff (not including Teaching Fellows);
  • Must currently have a Ph.D. (or recognised equivalent);
  • Must have not more than 10fte years professional experience since starting their Ph.D. (allowing for career breaks);
  • Must be funded to work at Southampton University to at least 30 July 2012 or be supported by their PI or HoD to say that funding will continue to at least 31 Jul 2012;

Preferably:

  • Funding at Soton to at least 31 Dec 2012
  • Two from each new faculty
  • Balance of genders

 Process

Those nominated will be invited to submit a brief application comprising:

  • Confirmation that they fit the criteria above (and detailing when their current Southampton funding ends);
  • CV;
  • 250 words: what will the advantage to you be if you attend;
  • 250 words: what will the advantage to Southampton University be if you attend.

From this we will be seeking evidence of leadership potential including:

  • Self awareness
  • Citizenship and contribution
  • Professional goals
  • Motivation

 
Background

Dr. Julie Reeves (Southampton’s ECR Skills Training Co-Ordinator) carried out a research project asking Southampton Heads of Department and other senior management what they felt were important issues for the progression of research staff here. A programme to stretch potential academic high-flyers was one of their main recommendations. 

As a result LATEU appointed Dr. Stephen Tarling the Researcher Development Officer for ECRs (Early Career Researchers), working within the Research Staff Development Team (RSDT). Stephen was previously an academic, and more recently head of researcher development at UCL and is also currently on the national Research Staff Development Advisory Group.

The programme that he is developing focuses on the development of ECR high-flyers - those with potential to become part of an HEI senior management team in the long term.  There will also be a portfolio based development plan for all ECRs. This work is also informed by both the Concordat www.researchconcordat.ac.uk and the Roberts' Agenda.

There will be space on the programme for two ECRs from each of the new Faculties, and we have invited Associate Deans (Research) in the new Faculties; Deputy Heads of School – Research, USRG heads and other Southampton senior management whose portfolio covers the development of research staff to send in their nominations. We are also asking Research Staff to nominate colleagues who deserve a place.

Nominations

Nominations and Applications have now closed.  Thank you to all who sent in their nominations and all who subsequently applied.  The process had to follow a tight timetable because we wanted to secure the resources for 2011. From a short list of 41, places have been offered to 19 early career research staff, and the initial Development Centre is on Wednesday 23rd. and Thursday 24th. February.  We anticipate running a similar programme in 2012.

Any further questions

Further notes, examples and answers to FAQs, for both nominations and applications, will be added to the Southampton Research Staff blog.

If you can't find the answer to your question there, please contact Stephen Tarling: stephen.tarling@soton.ac.uk  Extension 23785, phone 02380 593785