LibGuides: DRDP: Welcome

Welcome to the Academic Engagement and Learning Development Guide for Doctoral Researchers

Welcome to the guide for Doctoral Researchers, developed by the Academic Engagement & Learning Development (AELD) team.

Updated August 2022:

Please take a look at our 15 minute induction video for new Doctoral Researchers to find out more about how the Library and Archive Service can support your research journey.

Introduction to Library and Archive Services for Doctoral Reseachers Slides to accompany the DRDP Library Introduction video Aug 2022

How we can help

Academic Learning Developers
Workshops and individual appointments available to help you develop your academic writing and study skills to succeed in your studies and in your career.
Academic Engagement Librarians
Your subject librarian can help you get the resources you need for your research, and offer guidance and training on databases, managing your references, copyright and more.

Researcher Development Framework

The Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF) sets out the knowledge, behaviour and attributes of successful researchers. You can use it to plan your professional development throughout your research journey. Click on the image below to find out more.

Library training sessions

DRDP Sessions for 2022-20223

Find and book this semester's sessions in the Westminster's Virtual Research Environment VRE

Literature searching
Organisation, time management and motivation during your PhD
Introduction to RefWorks
Introduction to Zotero
Defying writer's block: Using Mind maps to generate, visualize and structure ideas
Effective use of sources in your work
Critical thinking, argumentation and academic voice
Organise your Research Digitally Using OneNote

Useful Recordings

Intro to NVivo recording of workshop held 13th Oct 2020 (1 hour)
Managing your references - prerecorded (5 minutes)

Quick links

Vitae The University is an institutional member of Vitae, a non-profit organisation that supports skills and career development for research students and staff. Vitae developed the Researcher Development Framework.
Westminster Graduate School
Westminster Virtual Research Environment
Workshops on Engage Engage is the platform you will use to book onto library and academic skills workshops. You can also book 1-2-1 appointments with library staff.
UoW study skills and training webpages

Online training

UoW Library YouTube channel A range of training and demonstration videos from our academic liaison librarians
LinkedIn Learning A huge range of video tutorials supporting learning in software, technology, creative and business skills – all free to University of Westminster staff and currently enrolled students.
FutureLearn FutureLearn offers a wide range of free online courses, with some particularly applicable to researchers e.g. Career Management for Early Career Academic Researchers; Research Impact: Making a Difference; Partnering for Change: Link Research to Societal Challenges.
Coursera Free online courses in areas such as business analytics, graphic design, Python, machine learning, and more.
edX edX is a global nonprofit with courses on topics ranging from data and computer science to leadership and communications

Library Guides

DRDP: Welcome