Dr Catherine Mills

University Graduate School Manager, University of Birmingham

PGCARMS: a hybrid model of doctoral

training

Overview

Background PGCARMS structure & content Relationship with DTPs Lessons learnt Next steps

Background Proposed creation of the Postgraduate Certificate in

Advanced Research Methods and Skills (PGCARMS) as part of UoB ESRC DTC advanced training provision

Opportunity to develop and trial innovative approach to DR development

Managed by UGS. Provision delivered by Colleges, UGS and central University training partners.

PGCARMS structure60 credits worth of modules that can be spread over the normally registered period of the PhD.

PGCARMS combines research skills training with advanced transferable skills training.

Yea

r 1 Visual Research

Methods [10 credits]

Questionnaire Design [10 credits]

Introduction to Public Engagement for PGRs [10 credits]

Yea

r 2

Advanced Qualitative Data Analysis (using NVivo) [10 credits]

Policy Evaluation [10 credits]

Yea

r 3

Self Reflective Portfolio [10 credits]

Example route through PGCARMS

Research Methods

Advanced research methods modules drawn from existing School or College programmes

e.g. Advanced Qualitative Analysis New modules developed by Schools and added to

PGCARMS to reflect diversity of candidates

e.g. Advanced Research Training in Macroeconomics New modules developed for specific Doctoral

Training Partnership cohorts

e.g. Basic Quantitative Skills for Systems Biology & Team Work and Collaborative Working Skills

Transferable Skills PGCARMS candidates must take at least one advanced

transferable skills module e.g.

- Consultancy Skills for Researchers [10 credits] - Enterprise skills for Researchers [10 credits] - Intro to Learning & Teaching in HE for DRs [20 credits] - Intro to Public Engagement for PGRs [10 credits] - Professional Internship Placement [10 credits] - Team Work and Collaborative Working Skills [10 credits]

These are run by the UGS, central training partners (e.g. Enterprise

& Innovation team) and College partners.

Assessment

Distributed assessment and marking model

Individual module assessments set by the module leader e.g. Narrative Research module 3000 word research strategy document

Formative feedback and 500 word reflective writing assignments

Overall assessment 4000 word self-reflective portfolio produced at the end of PGCert registration period

Management of the programme UGS ‘owns’ PGCARMS. Responsible for:- programme administration (handbooks/web resources,

registration, monitoring of progress)- quality assurance and evaluation- secretarial support for PGCARMS governance committees- teaching/assessment on UGS-run modules- induction, reflective theory/writing workshop & portfolio drop in

sessions.

UGS, College and central training partner membership on PGCARMS governance committees.

Reporting links to DTP Management Boards

Relationships with UoB DTPs

PGCARMS provides advanced training for:

• ESRC DTC (since Jan 2012)• BBSRC DTP (since Oct 2013)• AHRC DTP (starting 14/15)• NERC DTP (starting 14/15)• MRC DTP (starting 14/15)

Lessons Learnt

Key elements for success: Varied module provision Cross-institutional staff understanding and support for

programme and processes Acknowledgement in staff workload models Clear and detailed PGCARMS guidance for PGRs Transparent evaluation and quality assurance

mechanisms

Next steps

• PGCARMS expansion Stage 1 (14/15- 15/16) new DTPs and open places

• PGCARMS expansion Stage 2 (16/17) University-wide

• New modules (research methods & • transferable) developed 14/15-• Open out to external students (17/18-)?

Any Questions?

Get in touch

Catherine: c.mills@bham.ac.uk

www.graduateschool.bham.ac.uk

@UoBGradschool