Category Archives: Teaching

Looking forward to 2021?

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We have announced our new programme for January to March. Registration opens 6th January.

We would like to thank all those who have joined our events, webinars, workshops, writing retreats and so on over the past year. We wish you the very best for the coming break, and hope you do feel able to have a break, if not to meet people, at least to have a change of scenery … Look after yourself, and support friends and colleagues where possible.

We also hope that you are looking forward to 2021. It has been a challenging year for most of us and we can only hope for better in the coming year. Maybe you will more time in the University, meet people face to face at last, get to conferences, or to finish your thesis ….

We also have a new programme for January to March, although delivery will remain online. A full list is on our web timetable, where you can obtain further information for most events and registration opens on the 6th January. Here we take a preview of our January events.

Writing retreats – Our programme begins with our online writing retreats, which offer peer support to those writing (although you also do reading, data preparation …) All those already on our list for these events will be notified of these upcoming dates.

12  Jan09:45 – 12:00Online Writing Retreat
19  Jan09:45 – 15:00Online Writing Retreat

Teaching Opportunity – Are you interested in a teaching opportunity in local secondary schools? Would you like an opportunity to gain valuable and rewarding experience in teaching your own research area to support those considering University? The Brilliant Club are providing a webinar for us to introduce their Scholars programme, how it works (even in a pandemic) and how it will help you. No registration is required, see below for details:

12  Jan11:00 – 12:00Webinar for The Scholars Programme (The Brilliant Club)

Presentation skills – Are you looking to improve your presentation skills? We have two online workshops to help you plan your next talk, and deliver your research coherently and succinctly, and to help you develop your delivery style and gain confidence. For further details follow the links below. (The sessions are repeated in March.)

20 Jan13:00 – 15:15Planning an Effective Research Presentation 
27 Jan13:00 – 15:15Delivering a Convincing Research Presentation 

Goal planning – Finally, the start of the year is a good time to review your progress and set goals for the coming year. Join us in the following session delivered by Lynne Elliott (LSTM) to reflect on your progress so far, what you have learnt from your experiences and plan what you want to accomplish in the coming months:

21 Jan13:00 – 15:15Setting PhD Goals: Looking Ahead to a Great PhD Year

Wishing you all the best for the New Year 2021!

Are you looking for a teaching opportunity to gain experience in local schools?

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The Scholars Programme – PhD tutor opportunity – 2020-21

The Brilliant Club are recruiting for places in The Scholars Programme, in which doctoral and post-doctoral researchers deliver programmes of university-style teaching to pupils in schools that serve under-represented communities.

The Brilliant Club is recruiting now – to apply now for recruitment in Dec 2020, see https://thebrilliantclub.org/the-scholars-programme/

You can also gain further information from their upcoming webinar:

Tuesday 12 January at 11am – registration is not required

Webinar Information and access detailsDownload

Reasons to become a Scholars Programme PhD Tutor

  • Support local pupils from under-represented backgrounds to access university. Each Scholars Programme placement begins with tutors accompanying their pupils on a university trip, followed by six further tutorials in their school. At the end of the programme pupils submit an assignment that is marked by their tutor.
  • Get expert training and real experience to develop your teaching and other transferable skills. The training programme consists of two full-days including sessions on tutorial pedagogy, assessment and designing a course handbook.
  • Earn £500 per placement plus an additional £100 for designing a new course, and travel expenses
  • Disseminate your research to small groups of school pupils
  • Join a nationwide community of like-minded researchers making a huge impact on university access

The Brilliant Club are running a series of webinars where you can find out more about the opportunity to become a PhD tutor on The Scholars Programme. If you are interested in finding out more, we are hosting a recruitment webinar for University of Liverpool researchers on Tuesday 12 January at 11am.

Successful applicants are able to select which terms they would like to work as a tutor in and whether they would like to deliver multiple placements.

You can find out more about The Brilliant Club and the tutoring opportunity online. To apply please visit the application form at https://thebrilliantclub.org/the-scholars-programme/

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to email The Brilliant Club at apply@thebrilliantclub.org.

Covid-19 Update

The Brilliant club is committed to delivering The Scholars Programme for pupils, even whilst Covid-19 restrictions are in place and is currently running all Assessment Centres and training virtually.

The ‘New-normal’ – what might this offer for your development plans?

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What do you most need, for your work and well-being, post lock-down?

What new opportunities can you create post lock-down?

The lock-down is easing, although it may take months or years to return to the working life we consider ‘normal’. The University is currently making plans for a safe return to campus, but where the priorities for researchers will be to return to laboratories. Most conferences will be online in the coming months; you will be able to share research progress and potentially present online yourself, but there will be fewer opportunities for more conventional networking. Most teaching will be at best in blended format. The challenge in the short-term is to find new solutions to meet your needs or that provide a new experience to build upon.

The LDC Development programme will be totally online for the Autumn. We hope to repeat many of the popular online workshops in this period. We are also creating a new fully online set of induction workshops for those at the start of their PhD and are keen to retain the options for networking across disciplines, aspects that we consider central to our face to face workshops. Further details will be announced in coming months. Currently we are looking for tutors to support this delivery. We have an online workshop coming up as preparation, ‘ Facilitation in Practice ’. All are welcome to join this interactive session, to help us all explore the opportunities for teaching online.

24 June 10:00 – 12:00  Facilitation in Practice (Online Workshop)

You can also challenge yourself! As the researchers of the future you might consider how you might help shape the future of academic/research life. Consider what aspects of working life are missing in current working arrangements and what provision, new types of events or new use of social media, might support alternative arrangements in this online or ‘blended’ world? What does the online world offer that did not seem possible in the ‘old-normal’? You might share and discuss ideas with your peers to identify new ways to support your community. In this uncertain world, small steps can lead to big opportunities.

If you have bigger ideas for events to help other PhD researchers, we would be happy to talk through these with you and may even be able to help you put these into practice.

Believe in yourself! Your ideas might be unique … All big movements start with small steps.

The Scholars Programme – PhD tutor opportunities for 2020-21

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Preparing for opportunities after the lock-down?

The University of Liverpool works in partnership with The Brilliant Club to offer you the opportunity to join the Scholars Programme in 2020-21.

You are invited to a webinar on the 29th April or 20th May to learn more about these opportunities.

The Scholars Programme is run by The Brilliant Club, an award-winning university access charity. They recruit and train doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to deliver programmes of university-style teaching to pupils in schools that serve under-represented communities.

Why Become a Scholars Programme PhD Tutor?

  • Support local pupils from under-represented backgrounds to access university
  • Get expert training and real experience to develop your teaching and other transferable skills
  • Earn £500 per placement plus an additional £100 for designing a new course, and travel expenses
  • Disseminate your research to small groups of school pupils
  • Join a nationwide community of like-minded researchers making a huge impact on university access

Information for Researchers – 2020

The Brilliant Club will be running an online webinar on 29 April 2020 at 11am and 20 Mary 2020 at 11am, where you can find out more about the opportunity of becoming a Scholars Programme PhD tutor. Come along to find out more about the opportunity. To access the webinar, please follow the following links (Google chrome is recommended):

Wednesday 29 April 2020, 11am– https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/995686677

Wednesday 20 May 2020, 11am – https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/810030517

Successful applicants are able to select which terms they would like to work as a tutor in and whether they would like to deliver multiple-placements.

Tutors are supported by a training programme consisting of two full-days including sessions on tutorial pedagogy, assessment and designing a course handbook. Each Scholars Programme placement then begins with tutors accompanying their pupils on a university trip, followed by six further tutorials in their school. At the end of the programme pupils submit an assignment which is marked by their tutor.

You can find out more about The Brilliant Club and the tutoring opportunity online. To apply please visit the application form.

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to email The Brilliant Club at apply@thebrilliantclub.org.

Alternatively, are you looking for a full-time position?

If you’re keen on working with young people and feel passionate about our charity’s aims, you can apply to our sister programme, Researchers in Schools. RIS is a full-time route into teaching for PhDs that incorporates elements from The Scholars Programme, along with a host of other features designed to get the most from your research skill set. For more information on RIS, including funding and benefits, contact us on apply@researchersinschools.org or visit www.researchersinschools.org

Enhance your teaching practice and gain experience in development workshops

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Do you want to develop your teaching practice, gain further teaching opportunities and contribute to the University-wide development programme at Liverpool?

The Liverpool Doctoral College Development Team offer a programme of webinar and workshops to learn and practice skills in facilitation and to develop techniques to create your own development workshops. This programme is open to all postgraduate researchers at Liverpool.

This series also offers essential preparation for those who would like to join our Development Tutor Scheme and gain paid work experience teaching on the LDC Development programme.

“Developing my skills as a facilitator with the LDC Development team has been very worthwhile. I’ve been able to work in a number of roles – assisting with the delivery of workshops and webinars, collaborating on the development of new programme activities, and leading my own sessions teaching other PhD students. The work has been enjoyable and my confidence in public speaking has improved a lot’. Natasha Bradley, Institute of Psychology, Health and Society.

Facilitation webinars and workshops:

Please following links for further details and registration

Webinar: Introduction to Facilitation30-Apr12:30 – 13:30
Becoming a Facilitator08-May09:30 – 12:30
Webinar: Designing Workshops14-May12:30 – 13:30
 Facilitating Workshops23-May13:00 – 15:30

Development Tutor Scheme

All postgraduate researchers at the University are invited to apply for this programme, which offers an  opportunity to:

  • Learn new skills in facilitation and how to use these skills to create your own workshops
  • Gain paid experience  delivering or assisting at LDC Development workshops and webinars
  • Shape and contribute to the development programme offered to  all PGRs at Liverpool
  • Add to your CV

 You will be paid for both delivery and preparation. This scheme is flexible, with opportunities to work at times to fit your own schedules and gain the experience most relevant to your ambitions. The scheme offers the following opportunities:

Assistance at workshops and webinars: We are looking for tutors to support the delivery of workshops, particularly ‘Taking Ownership of the PhD’  and to assist at webinars, where you can join the presenter  in delivery and share your own experiences.

Deliver your own workshops and webinars: Do you have an idea for a topic that you’d like to deliver as  a development workshop or webinar? We offer opportunities in our programme and the support and advice to help you convert your idea into practice.

Co-deliver the development of new webinars: We welcome new ideas for the webinar programme from researchers  who would like to work with us in the development and delivery of these sessions, which may then become part of our formal programme.

For further information please contact Dr Shirley Cooper, Shirley.cooper@liverpool.ac.uk

Advance your skills in Facilitation

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Facilitation is an extremely useful skill for all researchers , to help manage meetings and working with others, particularly if you work in teams, work with people as part of your research or have opportunities in public engagement. It is also an important leadership skill and an extremely useful skill  to demonstrate for your future career.

The LDC Development Team is offering a new series of short workshops in September to help attendees gain and practise skills in facilitation. The series begins with a webinar to help you learn more about facilitation, followed by a workshop, which expands on the techniques of facilitation and provides practice to learn and practise these techniques. The series concludes with two workshops that focus on designing and facilitating your own teaching session using an experiential learning model.

The workshops are as follows (click on the link for further details and registration):

Date Time Title
19 Sep 12:30 – 13:30 Introduction to Facilitation
20 Sep 13:00 – 16:00 Becoming a Facilitator
26 Sep 13:00 – 16:00 Designing & Facilitating Workshops I
27 Sep 13:00 – 16:00 Designing & Facilitating Workshops II

Note: These events are designed as a series and attendance at each event is strongly recommended before attending the later workshops in this series.

Development Tutor Scheme

The workshops are open to all postgraduate researchers at the University of Liverpool and you can register for each workshop individually to learn facilitation skills, or you can attend these workshops in preparation for the Development Tutor Scheme. This scheme is  open to postgraduate researchers who have completed one year of their PhD. The scheme includes:

  • Training in facilitation
  • Observation sessions
  • Paid engagement to assist at LDC Development workshops and webinars
  • Opportunity to design and deliver your own short workshops or webinars, that form part of the LDC Development programme, with support from the LDC Development team

Registration for this scheme is open throughout the year and you can view further details of the scheme on our website:
https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/pgr-development/ tutors/

LDC Development Team

Upcoming webinars to introduce the Researchers in Schools programme

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The Researchers in Schools programme is a national programme that offers a direct and supported route into teaching in UK schools, post your PhD, that is dedicated for PhD Researchers. You can find out more by attending one of their free upcoming webinars on the 28th March or 4th April

Details for times and registration are on their website at http://www.researchersinschools.org/

Introduction from  the organisers: The Researchers in Schools programme is the world’s only fully-salaried route into teaching tailored exclusively to PhD researchers. We look for candidates with a desire to improve the educational prospects of pupils across the country and outstanding interpersonal skills to train to become classroom teachers. As a subject leader within your school, you’ll help support pupils, regardless of background, to excel and progress to higher education.
Webinar dates: 28th March  4th April
Join our webinar to find out more about what a career in teaching with RIS can offer you. You’ll hear about how our programme is specifically designed for doctoral researchers as well as the many unique benefits the programme can offer you, including:
• The salary and salary uplift scheme, supported by the Department for Education
• The structured fully-funded teacher training
• One day per week of protected time to focus on improving outcomes for pupils from underrepresented backgrounds, promoting university access and research
• The honorary academic status awarded from a research-intensive university
If you’re looking to build a rewarding and long-lasting career that allows you to use your PhD to directly impact on the educational outcomes of pupils, sign-up and find out more.

Expand your Facilitation Skills and join our paid Developer Tutor Scheme

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The LDC Development Team offer a series of workshops to help you develop skills in facilitation. Facilitation skills can help you manage meetings and work with others, particularly if you work in teams, work with people as part of your research or have take part in public engagement. Such skills are also extremely useful for your future career.

These workshops also form part of our Development Tutor Scheme, which is open to all postgraduate researchers at Liverpool in the second year onwards of their degree. The scheme provides both training and practise in experiential teaching, and includes paid teaching opportunities within the LDC Programme and the support to help you develop your own workshops or webinars.

The workshops are as follows and are open to all researchers, whether or not you join the tutor scheme:

Webinar: Introduction to Facilitation*     21st March  12:30 -13:30

Asking Good Questions as a Facilitator  11th April  13:00 – 15:00

Becoming a Facilitator   16th May  13:00 – 15:00

Facilitating Meetings       23rd May  13:00 – 15:00

Designing & Facilitating Experiential Learning Exercises   6th June    13:00 – 15:00

Designing & Facilitating Development Workshops   7th June   13:00 – 15:00

*Note: Attendance at the webinar is recommended prior to  attendance at the other workshops.

Further information and registration for the Development Tutor Scheme can be viewed on our website https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/pgr-development/offering/tutors/ and applications are welcome throughout the year.

LDC Development Team