This face to face course is run by the Researcher Academy

The Researcher Academy courses are very popular and the majority are run in both semesters to give you the opportunity to attend at a time of the year that suits you. 

Target Audience: postgraduate researchers at any stage; particularly relevant to those in mid or late stages and research staff welcome too. 

Process: Workshop with group work and discussions

Description:

Thriving as a Researcher is a supportive, discussion-based course designed to help you understand and strengthen your motivation throughout your research journey.

At this in-person session, you’ll explore the most common challenges faced by researchers - including procrastination, writer’s block, isolation, imposter feelings, and burnout - and share your own experiences in a safe, inclusive space. Through guided reflection and peer discussion, you’ll uncover what drives you, learn practical strategies to stay motivated, and develop a personal plan of action to sustain your momentum.

You’ll also connect with fellow researchers and our wellbeing specialists, who will offer insight, encouragement, and signposts to further support.

By the end of the course, you’ll have greater self-awareness, a toolkit of motivation-boosting techniques, and renewed confidence in your ability to navigate the highs and lows of academic life.

Please note: this is not a mental health-focused workshop and we are not trained Counsellors but will offer signposts to relevant support mechanisms at the end of the course.

Course Accessibility

The following table shows a summary of what is needed to participate in the course. 

If you feel you will experience any difficulties participating, please let us know via the ‘special requirements’ tab, providing as much information as possible. The special requirements tab can be completed when you book your place. Alternatively, you can contact us directly at ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk.

Access and/or complete self-study/ pre-course tasks prior to main session (optional)
Bring your own laptop/ PC to the course (optional)
Access seminar room on campus
Attend the course at the specified date and time
Watch and listen to the course tutor(s) and/or other attendees
Follow presentation slides during the course
Take part in group activities/ discussions

Booking Conditions

Latecomer policy

Researchers should plan to arrive prior to the advertised course start time. Except for exceptional reasons, there will be no admittance to a Researcher Academy or Faculty Training Programme (FTP) course 15 minutes after the advertised course start time.

Importance of booking commitment

When booking on to a Researcher Academy short course you are entering into a commitment to attend. If you find that you are no longer available to attend you MUST cancel your place (on the system if more than three days before the course) or if at short notice by emailing ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk. This will ensure that your place can be offered to another researcher on the waiting list. Failure to cancel a place results in other researchers missing out on places through the waiting list process.

It is unacceptable for researchers to just not attend when booked onto a course. The Researcher Academy maintains records of those who repeatedly do not attend courses they have booked. This may affect future eligibility to book onto further Researcher Academy courses and will affect considerations for Researcher Academy funded opportunities.