About you?
What is your background?
PhD in Information Science Loughborough University
Research Associate, Loughborough University
BA (Hons) Durham University
What initially attracted you to your job?
Working in Higher Education – stimulating environment
Training and working with PhD students.
Define your job?
Manage and run a skills training programme for PhD students at the University of Warwick.
Can you walk me through your day to day activities?
Running training sessions with PhD students, coordinating trainers to run sessions, dialogue with students and academic staff, work on new initiatives and projects within the programme.
How has your job changed in the last 5 to 10 years?
Been in post for a year and a half since graduating with my PhD. In that short space of time it has changed according to Research Council training requirements, new projects and R&D here at the University and within the team.
What are the key issues facing your sector?
Stakeholder buy-in, particularly academic staff/PhD supervisors – though this is rapidly improving.
What impact has technology had on your job?
Opportunities to provide training and recourses to students off campus and part time. Improved dialogue with international universities.
What are the best things and worst things about your job?
Best: intellectual climate, working with PhD students, research and development and being able to be creative and roll out new initiatives.
Worst: Admin!
Do you have any horror stories?
Good question – not yet 🙂
What attributes do you need/ what are you looking for when hiring someone in your role?
PhD essential to understand the environment and working with students
Communication – at many levels
Teaching/training experience
What are your tips/ advice for those starting out?
Learn to delegate and say no!
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