Date post: | 20-Jul-2015 |
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Involve, inform, inspire: Reaching researchers through targeted trainingLisa Hawksworth, Faculty Librarian Social Sciences
Penny Street, Faculty Librarian Health & Life Sciences
University of Liverpool
Once upon a time...
University Library
• Researcher training delivered by various groups in the University
• Research students unhappy with training opportunities
• Staff engaged in research need support in the run-up to the REF
• Focussed on information literacy for UG and taught PG
• Library involved in the research process; RAE submission, Research Archive and e-theses
• Desire to engage with the research community
What did we do?• Looked elsewhere!
• Created the Researcher Development Programme Group
• Liverpool University Press ‘Getting your PhD published in the Arts & Humanities’
• So our programme started to grow...
• Advertised via University Announcements/staff and PGR email lists
• Used Excel to record bookings; time consuming
• Collected feedback by emailing attendees individually
• Session ran again a few months later
The story so far...
• Workshops/seminars over lunchtime, sometimes longer
• Different days of the week/locations/internal and external speakers
• ‘Core’ programme of events
• One-0ff events to test new ideas or respond to niche areas
• Ideas from feedback or survey results or just talking to people; ask for suggestions at every opportunity!
• Constantly evolving and developing
The Programme: a flavour
Core One-off
• Depositing your thesis in the University Research Archive
• Increase the impact of your journal articles
• Speed up your web-research: plugins, portals and pinboards
• Advanced Google• Copyright for 1st year PGR
students
• Using SciFinder• Open Educational Resources
researchers seminar• Getting published in the social
sciences• Getting your PhD published in
the Arts & Humanities• Using Digimap for research
So...what is the problem?
Spreading the word...
Researchers need information on:• Searching and referencing• Depositing e-theses/IR/Copyright• Making their work visible/Bibliometrics• Social media and web resources
We know this, but do they?Research Information Network (2006) Researchers and discovery services; Behaviour,
perceptions and needs. London: Research Information Network.http://www.rin.ac.uk/our-work/using-and-accessing-information-resources/researchers-and-
discovery-services-behaviour-perc
Promotion: pitfalls, problems, perils!
• Product packaging: the plan, the process, the pitch, the people
• To perfect promotion, these elements first need to be in place
• To brand – we need a package to promote
Planning
• Timing – what’s needed when• Thinking ahead – the programme calendar• Evolution – building on past experience• The value of feedback – listen to our audience
Process
• How we manage it ▫ other stakeholders
• Avoiding duplication• Practicalities – coping with demand• LibCal• Value added – Research LibGuide supplements
sessions
People
• PGR mix: age, culture, ability, expectations• Generic v customised sessions?• Needs and timing – when to deliver
information?• One size doesn’t fit all – how to deliver?
Pitch
• Content• Speakers▫ external or internal
• Topics▫ core or one off?
Promoting the product
• How do we get the right blend to promote our product?▫ A successful promotional mix uses a balance of tools in a planned and structured way
A happy ending?
The perfect promotional mix?
• Brand: Recognition is key!
• Meet: Word of mouth – meet the people!
• Market: web pages, LibGuides but more!
• Know your audience!
Branding
• Standard document formats• Standard terminology/jargon• Visuals are crucial to a brand• Blog with PGR contributors• Market the benefits of attendance• Supervisor training: can we be part of it?
Research Information Network (2011) The role of research supervisors in information literacy. London: Research Information Network. http://www.rin.ac.uk/our-work/researcher-development-and-skills/information-handling-training-researchers/research-superv
Meeting our audience
• Social aspects are important▫ create opportunities for networking
• Go out to researchers as a ‘road show’ to events already in place
• Welcome event for new researchers: periodically, with refreshments, networking, meet Liaison Librarian
Market
• Champions in department▫ departmental mailing lists/PGR mailing lists
• Quick Start Guide for researchers• Use professional services staff contacts• Use marketing calendar to market researcher
programme• More integration/publicity of modules• Publicise the Research Support LibGuide at
sessions
The story goes on...• We’ve come a long way• Still more to do!• Programme has developed a momentum• Will we crack the branding/marketing issue?