Personal and professional development (PPD)

About the project

BDC's Personal and Professional Development (PPD) programme helps you build the skills, confidence and connections you need to thrive as a postgraduate researcher.

• Essential Development Discover the key workshops we recommend every researcher completes as they progress through their degree.
• Research Practice Whatever your discipline, these workshops will help you build confidence in the approaches, standards, and practices that underpin excellent research.
• Writing Skills Whether you're getting started or approaching submission, these opportunities will help you develop effective writing habits and make progress on your thesis.
• Communication & Influence Learn how to communicate your research effectively, whether you're presenting at a conference, publishing your work, or engaging the public.
• Data Skills Explore workshops and resources that will help you analyse and interpret qualitative and quantitative data with confidence.
• Planning your Career Take time to consider your future career direction with guidance, resources, and support for exploring opportunities within and beyond academia.
• Online Learning Access flexible online learning resources designed to help you develop knowledge, skills, and confidence at a time and pace that suits you.
• Funding for Researcher Development Turn your ideas into reality with funding to develop and deliver activities that enhance the researcher experience across disciplines.
• Explore your Development Needs Use the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) to reflect on your strengths, identify areas for growth and plan your professional development.

PGR Events Calendar

Book your place for upcoming PPD workshops.

PPD Roadmap for PGRs

Download our PPD Roadmap for PGR (PDF, 198kB) to explore the full range of opportunities available.

BDC Training Review

The PPD programme is shaped by PGR feedback. View the latest UoB PGR Training Review Report (PDF, 351kB)

Research areas