Researcher Development Programme 2013-14 Brochure

8/13/2019 Researcher Development Programme 2013-14 Brochure

1/12

researcher developmentprogramme 2013-2014


2/12

Contents

Introduction 3

Research training 4Wednesday seminars and workshops

Skills development 8

Writing Matters: creative academic writing

Residencies and projects witharts organisationsStudent-led projects

Tacit a digital journal

Miriadonline workshops

Research support for students 10

Research methods support officer

MIRIAD research associate

Student support officer

Research degrees administrator: art and design

MMU Graduate School courses

The Writing Project at MMU

English Language Services for International Students

External training 11

Artsmethods

Vitae

2

Front cover photo credits:Maud GoldmanManchester Libraries, Manchester City CouncilDerek Trillo


3/12

IntroductionThe researcher development programme 2013-14 at MIRIAD(Manchester Institute for Research in Art and Design) in theManchester School of Art has been designed to ensurepostgraduate students have the skills required to successfullymanage their research and also their subsequent careers.Supervisors and other MMU staff will also find aspects of theprogramme of value.

The programme provides essential components of yourexperience as a research student.

The programme is linked to PARCNorthWest, the region-widePractice as Research Consortium, which is led by MIRIAD.Students play a key part in developing PARCNorthWestsprogramme.

The consortium consists of fourteen higher educationinstitutions in the north west region (Glynd r University,Liverpool Hope University; Liverpool John Moores University;Manchester Metropolitan University; University of Bolton;Edgehill University; University of Lancaster; University ofSalford; Royal Northern College of Music; University of Chester;University of Cumbria; University of Central Lancashire).

This brochure gives details of the four strands of theprogramme:

Research training

Skills development

Research support for students

External training

The following members of staff in MIRIAD have particularresponsibilities for the programme.

Professor Jim Aulich: Research degree programme leader

Dr Amanda Ravetz: Deputy research degree programmeleader

Dr David Haley:Co-convenor research training

Dr Myna Trustram:Co-convenor research training

3

Photo credits:Sara Han

Derek Trillo


4/12

Research trainingThe Wednesday seminarsand workshopsA series of seminars, lectures and workshops every Wednesday between 13.30 and15.00 designed to help you make your research journey. It addresses the processes

central to successful research in art, media, design and architecture. It examinesmany kinds of research from traditional text-based to practice-led. The expertpresenters represent many disciplines from within and outside ManchesterMetropolitan University.

These sessions are integral to your studies and attendance contributes to yourAnnual Monitoring and Evaluation (AME). In addition to assisting you with yourpersonal research, a broad knowledge of wider research practices is offered as anessential part of research success. Repeat attendance is required as you progressthrough the different stages of your research. The only sessions where repeatattendance is not expected are those relating to stage-specific assessments(the RD1 and RD2). Second and third year students and staff are also encouragedto attend the first year presentations.

As you plan your research (and juggle jobs and family) keep Wednesday afternoonsfree so you can participate with the rest of the students this networking isa valuable part of your learning at MIRIAD.

Vimeos of most sessions, together with support material, will be available at:www.parcnorthwest.miriadonline.info.

4

Photo credit: Ralph Mills


5/12


6/126

Details of the Wednesday seminars and workshops13:30 15:002 Oct Overview of the Researcher Development

Programme and Show and Tell - Jim Aulich, Myna Trustram and David Haley

This session provides an overview of the programme. Show and Tellis an opportunity for newly enrolled students to get to know yourpeers.

9 Oct PARCNorthWest and the AnnualMonitoring and Evaluation Jim Aulichand Myna Trustram

This session offers a brief introduction to the range of researchtraining on offer in the wider research community, across networks inthe region and nationally. It will also explain how your annual progressis recorded and evaluated within the Annual Monitoring andEvaluation (AME) exercise.

16 Oct Research Online David Jackson, Anna Frewand Ralph Mills

With the Internet and social media forming an increasingly central rolein everyday life, this session will present some of the arguments whyyou should promote your research online and will highlight the waysyou can develop your own research website. Specifically it willintroduce you to Miriadonline the student-led in-house network forpromoting research.

23 Oct Your research proposal: the RD1 - Jim AulichThe RD1 form is the first important hurdle of your research degree.This session will outline what is required and the questions you needto consider to finalise your proposal for the RD1 form for submissionin January (Year 1 F/T) or March (Year 1 P/T).Returning students who have already submitted their RD1 are not expected to attend this session.

30 Oct Structuring the early stages of yourresearch David Jackson and Hannah Allan

Second and third year students will share their experiences of settling

into research and making the most of training. It will offer practicaladvice in managing self-directed research. All returning students are encouraged to attend the discussion and share their experiences.

6 Nov Reading and referencing (including MSWord & Endnote) - Helen Bowman andGavin McDonald

The volume of reading that comes with postgraduate study can seemdaunting. In this session Helen Bowman, who works for StudentSupport in Art and Design, will discuss effective strategies for reading.The session is valuable for returning students to reassess the way

they digest the literature in their subject area. Helen will also outlinethe acceptable forms of referencing an essential part of youracademic writing.In the final part of the session, Gavin McDonald will introduce how MSWord and Endnote can be used as timesaving tools to managereferencing.

13 Nov The critical literature and practice review -Philip Sykas and Alison Slater

The literature review is an essential part of the RD1 and RD2 stages.This session encourages critical engagement with existing literatureand practice that underpins your current study. It will consider how acritical review of the practices of others contributes to your research.

20 Nov Research methods and methodologies a general introduction - Barbara Rawlingsand Steve Dixon 13:30 15:30pm

In the first part of this session you will be introduced to a range ofways to collect and analyse data. It will cover how to choose methodsappropriate to your research questions, data collection and its analysis.The session will consider when to use qualitative and quantitativetechniques, and how to ensure the evidence you present is robust.The second part of the session will focus on the specific methodsand methodologies associated with practice-led research.The session as a whole (which will last for two hours rather than theusual hour and a half) will draw on examples from different art anddesign practices. It will enable you to consider which methods fit bestwith your research and how to tailor these methods to suit your research.

27 Nov Student/Staff Forum All research studentsand staff

The forum is open to all postgraduate students and their supervisorsto discuss the programme. Please contact Adele Dunne([email protected]) with any items you would like added tothe agenda.

4 Dec Research ethics in art and design and theRD1 Ethics Form - John Spencer

Research ethics are a vital part of your training as a researcher. In thissession you will discuss ethical issues in art, design and mediaresearch. The session will also consider strategies for responding toethical issues.All students are required to attend even if you do not foresee ethicalissues in your current research.

11 Dec Presenting your work (Part 1) - David Shirley

Everyone needs to communicate about their research. This sessionprovides an introduction to verbal presentations which are acomponent in the RD1 and RD2 processes.

18 Dec The RD2 process - Jim Aulich

This session focuses on the RD2 process and form, the successfulcompletion of which allows students to transfer their registrationfrom MPhil to PhD. The process includes a presentation, viva, reportand portfolio.Returning students who have already submitted their RD2 are not expected to attend this session.


7/12

Christmas / New Year Break

8 Jan Working with arts organisations at homeand abroad Myna Trustram and Paul Scott

This session will cover the essential things you need to know and doin order to carry out a successful residency, project or placement withan arts organisation.

15 Jan Disseminating research through academic writing (including abstracts) - Amanda Ravetz

Academic writing can be daunting for many, particularly those from amore practice-based background, but it is an essential part ofdisseminating your research findings, through abstracts for proposals,exhibition catalogues, journal publications, book chapters and books(to name but a few). Discussions will cover the various forms ofacademic writing, the conventions that should be followed and willoffer practical advice to assist researchers at all stages of study.

22 Jan Presenting your work (Part2) - David ShirleyThis follow-up session from David Shirleys previous workshop,develops presentation techniques through group and individualparticipation, based on work prepared in the interim period. In additionto learning new presentation skills, these sessions are designed topromote confidence in live debate and conferences.

29 Jan Student presentations (F/T) - Chaired byDavid Haley

The first of two sessions where full time first year students willpresent their research findings to date.

All students, supervisors and staff at MIRIAD are encouraged to attend this session to assist esearch dissemination across the department.

5 Feb Student Presentations (F/T) - Chaired byDavid Haley

The second of two sessions where full time first year students willpresent their research findings to date.

All students, supervisors and staff at MIRIAD are encouraged to attend this session to assist research dissemination across the department.

12 Feb Exhibition and project proposals MynaTrustram, Stephanie Boydell (Special Collectionsat MMU) and Emma Anderson (The Atkinson,

Southport)What do museums and galleries want? This session will be a how-toworkshop led by some of MIRIADs partner organisations. It will offera broad perspective on the different types of exhibition and projectproposals that can assist the wider dissemination of your workbeyond traditional academic settings.

19 Feb Publishing your research - Emma Brennan(Manchester University Press)

This session will offer key insights from a commissioning editor atManchester University Press, into how to publish your researchfindings with an academic publisher. It will consider the range ofacademic publishing formats, such as the monograph and edited

book, and what publishers are looking for in publication proposals.

26 Feb Preparing for your viva Magnus QuaifeThis session considers the different ways to prepare for your viva (theoral assessment of your thesis at the end of your research), as well asa more general workshop. The viva can vary dramatically fromstudent to student, Magnus Quaife will offer reflections on hispersonal experience.

5 Mar How conferences work - Gavin MacDonaldand David Haley

This session offers an introduction to conferences: what they are for,how they can assist your research and networking, how you find outabout them, funding and possible resulting publications. It will coverboth academic and non-academic conferences.

12 Mar Writing funding proposals - Alnoor Mithaand Toby Heys

This session will provide practical advice on writing funding

applications, focusing on both academic and non-academic fundingsources. It will assist students from all years of study to considersources of funding for their current research and future researchplans. This session may also be of particular interest to staff in theSchool of Art.

19 Mar Student presentations (P/T) - Chaired byDavid Haley

In this session part time first year students will present their researchfindings to date.

All students, supervisors and staff at MIRIAD are encouraged to attend this session to assist research dissemination across the department.

26 March PARCNorthWest Event Generator -Chaired by David Haley

Details to be confirmed. Students are asked to keep this day free toparticipate in this event which will bring together students and stafffrom the institutions that form PARCNorthWest. For more detailsabout PARCNorthWest see:parcnorthwest.miriadonline.info/parcnw-miriad/

2 April Student/Staff Forum All research studentsand staffThe forum is open to all postgraduate students and their supervisorsto discuss the programme. Please contact Adele Dunne([email protected]) with any items you would like added tothe agenda.

7


8/12

Skills development

Writing Matters: creative academicwriting

Wednesdays 10.00 12.00. Starts 9 October

Convenor: Dr Amanda Ravetz with Dr Myna Trustram

Writing is one of the most powerful ways we have of exploringourselves and the world around us and of communicatingthese insights to others. These sessions are designed to helpstudents become confident and creative writers of academicprose. The course has places for up to sixteen postgraduateresearch students and staff from Manchester School of Artand (by arrangement) other institutions within thePARCNorthWest consortium. Participants must commit toattend sessions regularly and must have completed term one*

before attending term two and becoming part of the 2013-14peer-led writing group (see below).

In the first term we will focus on developing reading, thinkingand writing strategies. Using a range of conventional andunconventional academic texts we will study the ways writersengage the thought of others and examine competing ideas inorder to arrive at their own informed views. By looking at theways writers develop academic arguments, participants will beable to understand and employ similar methods in their ownwriting. Course work will include drafting, revising, and editingshort written assignments on participants own research topics.Regular writing outside class will be an essential requirement.

The second term is aimed at supporting artists and designersto develop their own voices and creative approaches toacademic writing. We will begin with the assumption thatcompelling academic inquiry and writing can emerge fromwhat we already know, including our own creative practice.Our readings will range across memoirs, lyric essays, artreviews, short stories, journalism and academic articles.Course writings will consider the connections betweenpersonal narrative and academic research. These classes willeffect a gradual transition from facilitation by the groupleader(s) into the establishment of a student-run, peer-led,writing group for those who are interested in furtherdeveloping their creative academic writing voices together.* or alternatively provide the convenor with writing examplesdemonstrating existing levels of competence in academicwriting

To join the course or to find out more about it, please contactAmanda Ravetz ([email protected]). Places will be allocatedon a first come first served basis. A waiting list will operate.Failure to attend regularly will result in places beingre-allocated.

Residencies and projects witharts organisationsThis strand is designed to help you understand the role ofresearch in a wider context. You will develop skills for workingin the public sphere to assist both your research and yourfuture career. It will help you with such things as personaleffectiveness, collaboration and public engagement. Studentswho take part in this strand are offered up to three tutorialswith Myna Trustram to help with design and implementation.

We have good contacts in regional arts organisations (includingCastlefield Gallery; FACT Liverpool; The Atkinson, Southport;Cornerhouse; Peoples History Museum). We will help youapproach these and any others you would like to work with.

Some organisations will arrange a seminar to introducestudents to their organisation. Details of this will be announced.

Speak with Myna Trustram ([email protected]) if youwould like to pursue this possibility.

Student-led projectsMIRIADs students come with a wealth of experience in aprofessional or research field. Would you like to develop aproject in an area of your expertise? This needs to be close toyour field of research but the aim is to work with other studentsor staff and other organisations to achieve a research output.

In the past students have led projects in digital arts and runresearch and exhibition projects at home and abroad

If you have an idea you would like to pursue get in touch withMyna Trustram ([email protected]).

Tacit a digital journalTacit is a digital journal and blog developed by MIRIADstudents with an editorial board of students, staff and otherprofessionals in the field of creative digital practice. Studentscan contribute to the content, design, production and editing.The journal interrogates emergent practice-led research,especially where it is enabled or informed by digital

technologies. A particular interest is in work which uses thepotential of digital publishing or the ways in which the digitalchanges the nature of arts research. Look at the journal here:http://www.tacitjournal.org/

Email David Jackson ([email protected]) or HannahAllan ([email protected]) for more information.

Miriadoline workshopsAt intervals during the first term workshops will be run on howto create and manage your personal website or blog.

Contact Myna Trustram ([email protected]) for details.

8

Photo credits:Sara Han, Vincent Walsh, Ralph Mills, Lokesh Ghai, Derek Trillo, Helen Smith


9/129


10/1210

Research support for students

Research methods support officer,Dr Barbara RawlingsBarbara Rawlings offers one-to-one tutorials to help youchoose the most appropriate methods for your research. Itdoes not matter which stage you have reached. Make anappointment on the signing sheet on the postgraduate noticeboard upstairs in the Righton building.

MIRIAD research associate,Dr Myna TrustramMyna Trustram offers support independent of your supervisoryteam on any matter connected to your research - personal,professional, academic. This can include looking over RD1and RD2 forms; funding and conference applications; helpingyou develop a research plan; putting you in touch with otherstudents with similar issues; providing a non-supervisoryopportunity to talk through new ideas or any difficulties.

Email Myna ([email protected]) or call in at room 1.11upstairs in the Righton building.

Student Support Ofcer,Helen BowmanHelen Bowman is the Student Support Officer for the Schoolof Art. She can provide advice on both pastoral and study-skills related issues such as: academic writing; referencing andavoiding plagiarism; applying critical thinking; managing yourtime; presentation skills.

Helen provides a confidential service and can also adviseabout other services provided by the University, as appropriate.

Email Helen ([email protected]) if you would like todiscuss any of these in confidence.

Research Degrees Administrator:Art and Design, Adele DunneAdele Dunne will help you with all administrative processes ofyour degree such as regulations, registration, submission.

[email protected]

MMU Graduate SchoolMIRIAD is part of MMUs Graduate School which represents

the universitys postgraduate research community of some 785students and their supervisors. The Graduate School runs ageneric training programme to provide research studentsacross the University with the skills to help complete theprogramme effectively and to provide general and employmentrelated skills. It supplements the specialist training appropriateto the subject area offered by research institutes like MIRIAD.

Many of the Graduate School courses are designed for newresearch students and complement the induction processprovided by faculties. The courses also provide students withthe opportunity to meet other research students and academicand administrative staff from across the University.

See The Graduate School website for information about thecourses: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/research-development-workshops/

The Writing Project at MMUThe Writing Project runs a ten-session course for any MMU-enrolled student who would like to improve the way they writeat university level, although its focus is not just on academicwriting. You can contact the Writing Project on 0161 2473800 or email [email protected]/

English Language Services forInternational Students (ELSIS)ELSIS provides free English classes and one-to-one tutorialsfor international students during the Autumn and Spring terms,and one-to-one individual writing consultations during the third

term and summer. The focus is on the skills needed for goodquality academic writing, listening, reading and speaking, aswell as grammar instruction. Contact Daniel Peacock (0161247 3945 or [email protected])www2.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/languages/english/


11/1211

External training

Artsmethods at the University ofManchesterartsmethods@manchester is a programme of talks, workshopsand events running throughout the academic year whichexplores approaches to arts research, research methods andthe dissemination of arts and languages research at theUniversity of Manchester and beyond. You can keep up-to-datewith artsmethods by following their Twitter feed all eventshave the hashtag #artsmethodsmanc and regional events havethe hashtag #artsmethodsNW.

PhD researchers from across the North West includingManchester Metropolitan University can apply for a limitednumber of external places on each workshop by [email protected] quoting their name, hostinstitution and contact details. Places are offered on a firstcome first served basis and confirmation is given via email. Fora list of up-to-date artsmethods workshops please visitwww.artsmethods.manchester.ac.uk/events/ . The eventscalendar can be found at the bottom of the menu at the lefthand side.

VitaeVitae promotes the professional and career development ofpostgraduate researchers and research staff in highereducation institutions. It is supported by Research CouncilsUK (RCUK), UK HE funding bodies and managed by CRAC:The Career Development Organisation and delivered inpartnership with regional Hub host universities.

Vitae runs a training programme and has developed TheResearcher Development Framework which sets out theknowledge, behaviours and attributes of effective researchers.It is a reminder of the wide range of skills researchers needto develop and can be used to identify those that needdeveloping. Vitaes website is full of advice about howto manage yourself and your research. Seehttp://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers

Photo credits:Sue Blatherwick, Ralph Mills, Lucy Wright

Back cover photo credits:Clinton Cahill, Ralph Mills, Lucy Wright


12/12

Documents

Researcher Development Programme 2013-14 Brochure