Spotlight on...
Shining a spotlight on some of our latest researcher development opportunities and resources...
Opportunities for the Autumn term 2025
We've been busy over the summer developing a new programme of Research and Innovation researcher development (RD) opportunities, supporting our five core development themes for Huddersfield researchers and Vitae's Researcher Development Framework.
Take a look at the Autumn 2025 RD programme, which includes:
- Reflections for Researchers - monthly sessions (online) to create time and space for reflection, guided by a series of prompts provided. All welcome.
- 'Research Funding Ready' - a series of 3 sessions taking you from vision to submission, developing your research idea or question into a proposal you are ready to submit (29 October, 12 November and 26 November 2025).
- Introduction to Pure (30 October 2025) - support for using Pure effectively, available for all academic staff with a Pure profile.
- How to engage with policy makers (15 October 2025) - an online session to introduce you to the government and policy landscape and encourage thinking about how your research could have a wider impact on policy and society.
- Design Thinking for researchers (18 November 2025) - a one day workshop for creative problem solving, delivered by Skillfluence. [Read more about Design Thinking for Research Impact].
All our courses are available to view and book via the drop-down menu at the top of the Research and Innovation Training & Development page.
Featured resource - Vitae's Researcher Development Framework
Our current spotlight is on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) which has been refreshed and relaunched for the 2025-26 academic year - take a look! The RDF describes the values, skills and behaviours of effective researchers and is a useful resource for taking control of your own professional and career development. The updated framework is structured around three domains (researcher, research and research communities) and places researchers and people at the heart.
If you'd like to spend a bit more time exploring the RDF, why not book onto our new session, The development-focused researcher, on 7 October 2025.
British Academy Early Career Researcher (ECR) Network
The British Academy ECR Network is an inclusive, researcher-led network for UK-based early career researchers working in the humanities and social sciences. The aim is to give researchers opportunities to develop their skills and provide additional experiences to enhance career development, whether inside or outside of academia.
The network has just been expanded to Yorkshire & Humber and there are lots of benefits to (free) membership. We'll be sharing more details of the opportunities available for ECRs in SHAPE disciplines soon. In the meantime, please contact Alison Monkhouse (Academic Researcher Development manager) if you would like more information.