Learning and Development
Essex Local GRADschool: Summer 2012
Tuesday 3 July 2012 until Thursday 5 July 2012
GRADschool is open to all doctoral students in the 2nd year or later years of
their research:
GRADschool offers the opportunity to:
- Practise and enhance important skills such as problem solving, working in teams and negotiating·
- Take stock of your career plans and what you need to do to achieve them.
- Work with a range of tutors with experience of a variety of job roles and employment sectors.
- Meet other postgraduate researchers from different disciplines and institutions.
- Take a few days out from your research both physically and mentally, and have some space in which to
consider your next steps.
"GRADschool is a fantastic opportunity for doctoral students to have the space to think about their future in
a stimulating and supportive environment. I have found that my students who have attended have not only had the chance to
develop skills which have helped them to complete their PhD, but have also gained confidence in articulating how their
doctorate gives them a competitive advantage in any labour market."
Dr Kat Riach
Graduate Director, Essex Business School
During the courses there will be a mix of:
- Skills development exercises (e.g. creativity, communication
and presentations).
- Career sessions (e.g. improving your CV, defining your
career goals and interview practice).
- Case studies (to practise skills while increasing your
awareness of career options).
View draft programme (.pdf).
How long is a GRADschool?
The course is 3 days in length. The timetable is intensive, but the sessions
are very lively and informal - and fun! Each day starts at 9am and ends at 6pm.
Although the course is non-residential, we hope that you will stay on campus in
the evenings to relax and socialise with fellow participants and the course
team.
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GRADschool facts
- GRADschools are organised and coordinated nationally by
Vitae. They have a
'learning by doing' style: you undertake a variety of
activities, review how each activity went and consider
improvements and ways of working that can be applied to the next
activity, to your research and to your career.
- GRADschool is based on working in small, facilitated groups. The GRADschool
course team will work with you, guide you and support you throughout the course.
- NB: PhD students with Research Council funding have the choice of attending
a local or a
national GRADschool Programme.
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- 95% become more aware of their skills and attributes.
- 92% are more confident at working in teams and more confident in their
ability to work effectively in new situations.
- 72% say they manage their research better.
- 95% are more able to sell themselves at interview.
- 96% of attendees encourage other students to attend.
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How do I book my place?
A £20 deposit is required. This deposit will be returned to you on Day 3 of
the GRADschool. If you cancel your place before the event, your deposit will be
refunded if your place can be reallocated to another student.
If you have any questions or concerns about whether one of these courses
would be right for you, please contact
Terry Barry, Learning and Development Manager.
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The course team
Director
Rachel McGill
Rachel McGill has seventeen years of leadership development experience which
began when she was commissioned into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in 1989.
Rachel became the youngest Captain in the Ordnance Corps in 1993. During this
time she led a successful world record breaking attempt for the fastest drive
around the globe and lead a logistics team that supported a UN mission to
Angola. After 8 years in the Army Rachel left to work with young people doing
vocational management training and during that time began working as a
consultant for different organisations. For the past 6 years Rachel has worked
to develop her own consultancy practice (Sunray Seven Ltd) that develops
'resilience' in leaders. The tools and techniques her and her team have
developed help leaders get a clear sense of who they are and what they do, how
this helps and hinders them and what they can do about it. People describe
Rachel's style as open, pragmatic, friendly and supportive. She helps leaders
to: generate a clear sense of direction and purpose; unify others by building
commitment, ownership and trust; build an ability to see and take opportunities;
create an inner strength that they and others can draw on when faced with
obstacles and challenges; know and believe in who they are and what they do.
Tutors
The tutor team includes professionals from a variety of organisations as well
as a range of university staff.
Dr Annie Bryan - University of Essex
Annie Bryan joined the Learning and Development team in October 2011 ,
where she is specifically involved in the design and development of courses
for the professional development of PhD students. She studied for her BA and PhD
at Swansea University’s Department of English Language and Literature.
Her doctoral thesis, part of an interdisciplinary project funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council,
examined the role of television news discourse in witnessing and commemorating catastrophic events.
Annie has previously taught on modules within Swansea’s English Language Studies programme and has delivered
training for postgraduate students in the use of qualitative data analysis software
Dr Matthew Copping - University of Kent
Matthew joined the Unit for the Enhancement of Learning
and Teaching in November 2007 and is a Student Learning
Advisor based at the Medway Campus, supporting student
learning across a range of disciplines (from computer
science to garden history) and at all levels (undergraduate
to research postgraduate). Prior to returning to Kent,
Matthew worked at the University of Essex, where he was
responsible for developing and delivering training
programmes for postgraduate research students. Matthew's
previous experience includes teaching a broad range of
undergraduate history courses at Kent, several years on the
receiving end as a mature student, and before that, a career
in industry as a mechanical engineer.
Matthew holds a PhD in the History and Cultural Studies of Science. His
research interests include the history of late 19th century medicine, analytical
chemistry and brewing.
Dr Carol Jaensch - University of Essex
Carol began her BA in Language Studies at Essex in 1999.
She gained a first class honours degree and continued at
Essex with an MA in Language Acquisition, which she
completed with distinction. In October 2008 and again at
Essex, she completed her PhD in linguistics, with special
emphasis on second and third language acquisition. Also in
2008, Carol successfully completed the first part of the
Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice. In
2009, she completed the second module, and became a Fellow
of the Higher Education Academy. She has previously taught
psycholinguistics in the Department of Language and
Linguistics at Essex, and most recently she has taught
German in the same department. Carol joined the Professional
Development Team in Learning and Development in September
2009, where she is specifically involved in the design and
development of courses for the professional development of
PhD students.
Dr Nick Mitchell - University of Central Lancashire
Nick Mitchell spent most of the 1990s as a student in the
former Computer Science department at Essex University,
ultimately obtaining his Ph.D. through research into set
theory, type theory and logic.
After spending several years working in the "real world" as a Software
Engineer on various projects for BAE Systems, Nick was tempted back into
University life in 2005 to take on the role of Teaching Fellow in his old
department at Essex.
Having come full circle and graduated from Essex once more (this time with a
postgraduate teaching qualification), Nick decided it was time to move on again and is currently enjoying a much more pluvial (look it up!) existence
as a Lecturer in Computer Games Development at the University of Central
Lancashire in Preston.
Outside work, Nick is a keen musician who plays the violin and the drums in
various ensembles. He has also won trophies for his 1/150th scale model trains,
but the least said about that, the better...
Dr Maxwell Stevenson - University of Essex
Maxwell has been a Learning and Development Adviser at Essex since 2009.
Originally from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, he came to the UK as a student
of architectural history, undertaking an MA and PhD at Essex. In 2011 he completed a
Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Practice, and gained Fellowship with the
Higher Education Academy in 2012. His primary focus is now on learning and development
project work, but he still teaches and leads sessions for undergraduate and graduate
students, and academic and administrative staff.
Dr Will Thomas – University Campus Suffolk
Will works in the Office for Research and Enterprise at University Campus Suffolk
and is responsible for the development of the Graduate School there.
He has a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Essex in which his work
focussed on applied ethical theory. His work at UCS has focussed on the delivery of
contract research for the public sector, including local authorities and the NHS.
In addition he has taught moral philosophy and social responsiblity at UCS and as a
Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Essex. Before joining UCS,
Will was involved in the delivery of basic skills for adults and prior to that
worked as a customer service trainer for a supermarket. Outside work,
Will enjoys most sports, particularly cricket which he plays enthusiastically if rather poorly.
Course Manager
Terry Barry
Currently a Learning and Development Manager at the University of Essex, Terry's main responsibilities are
the coordination and delivery of professional development programmes for doctoral students and research staff.
Terry has been involved with professional development at Essex since 2005. He also runs courses on a range of
topics aimed at other University staff. His previous experience includes working as a Careers Adviser at the
University for nine years, as well as working as a Careers Adviser in colleges and schools. Terry has also taught
Business Studies in colleges of further education
Course Administrator
Jo Hopkins
Jo works in Learning and Development assisting with the planning and implementation of training programmes available
to both staff and students, undertaking all detailed arrangements including: staff enrolments, communications with trainers and provision
of course materials. Jo is also involved with New Staff Induction tours and manages work experience placements. She has a
background in Human Resources and is also qualified in Careers Guidance. Jo's previous experience includes working in the
Colchester Learning Shop where she provided an information and advice service on the local post 16 educational and training
opportunities available for adults in Colchester and the surrounding area.
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