Researcher Development Officer (Humanities)

I design and deliver training opportunities to PGRs and research staff from across the Faculty of Humanities, covering academic skills and professional development needs as part of the Researcher Development Programme, managing the social media channels and curating the website.

I also deliver a number of varied programmes such as the Public Engagement, Developing Intellectual Leaders and Business Collaboratories programmes.

Public engagement highlights

I set up a brand-new public engagement programme with the aim of helping PGRs and ECRs in their development as academics, and to provide a space where research is accessible to members of the public.

The programme consists of three different initiatives: 1) one-minute videos about their research, 2) radio interviews in a local radio show and 3) presentations in local cafes, restaurants and pubs.

I was also the project lead of the Business Collaboratories for Early Career Researchers Programme where early career researchers engaged with businesses to work on challenge-oriented projects.

Best public engagement advice

Ensure that for each public engagement activity, there is a suitable evaluation tool to find out what went well and what could be improved, and to learn about any changes in people’s attitudes, behaviours and practices that came as a result of the intervention.