Research Training: Governance & organisation

Researcher Development Framework - Domain C
Plymouth campus

1. Professional conduct

Knowledge of:
  • Health and safety issues, confidentiality and ethical requirements of his/her research field.
  • The legal requirements and regulations relating to the area of research and the research environment.
  • The principles of intellectual property rights (IPR) and copyright issues, as they relate to research, its commercialisation and dissemination.
  • Organisational and professional requirements and environmental impact of research.
  • The concept of corporate social responsibility.
Behaviour:
  • Respects, acknowledges and attributes the contribution of others.
  • Seeks to protect, where appropriate, the intellectual assets arising from research and to maximise the wider value of research findings.
  • Acts with professional integrity in all aspects of research governance.
  • Uses institutional/organisational resources responsibly and appropriately.
  • Seeks ways of working in a sustainable manner.
Attitude:
  • Respects, upholds and meets professional standards and requirements.

2. Research management

Knowledge of:
  • The contribution of research to the health of disciplines and institutional missions.
  • Project management tools and techniques.
Behaviour:
  • Applies appropriate project management tools and techniques.
  • Sets goals and plans and manages resources to deliver results.
  • Effectively assesses and manages risks.
  • Evaluates the effectiveness of research projects.

3. Finance, funding and resources

Knowledge of:
  • The requirement for research income generation and financial management.
  • Mechanisms for funding, the range of funding sources and the processes for making applications.
  • Local administrative systems, reporting procedures and infrastructure processes.
Behaviour:
  • Responsibly manages finances, resources and infrastructures related to research.

Upcoming workshops

Research integrity: an introduction – what are the fundamental principles and how can I evidence them in my research?
Aimed at those who are new to research or wish to update their knowledge, this session will detail the expected standards, values and behaviours set out by the University, funders and regulators in the ‘Concordat to support research integrity’ (Universities UK). This session will give you an overview of regulatory frameworks and introduce you to the tools to help you develop integrity in your research and successfully demonstrate high quality research. Topics covered will include research governance, ethics, misconduct, regulators, training, data management and publication ethics.
Facilitator: John Martin
Applicability: suitable for most research students and research staff.
Course dates and times:
  • 20 November 2024, 13:30–14:30 UK time (on campus)
  • 22 May 2025, 13:30–14:30 UK time (on campus)

Intellectual property for researchers
These sessions are designed to be interactive, and while they will cover the basic details of the standard forms of intellectual property, including copyright, patents, trademarks and design rights including topical examples, the sessions will attempt to explain the University’s policy context including origination, ownership and other access rights.
Facilitator: David Mozley and Justin Rigden
Applicability: suitable for most research students and research staff.
Course dates and times:
  • 19 November 2024, 10:30–12:00 UK time (on campus)
  • 13 May 2025, 14:00–15:30 UK time (online via Zoom)

Third party copyright for PhDs
This session is best attended at the start of writing your thesis and explores the different ways in which to include 3rd party materials in your published thesis. Any questions and support please contact informationspecialists@plymouth.ac.uk.
Facilitator: Library Research Support
Applicability: suitable for all research students.
Course dates and times:
  • 14 November 2024, 16:00–17:00 UK time (online via Zoom)
  • 23 January 2025, 11:00–12:00 UK time (online via Zoom)
  • 8 May 2025, 14:00–15:00 UK time (online via Zoom)

Introduction to applying for research ethical approval
The requirement for research ethical approval relates to all research involving human participants and the collection of personal information.
This session is designed for research students and will give an introduction to the process for applying for ethical approval for their project. This session is intended to demystify the process of applying for and obtaining ethical approval.
After the session students will understand what is expected of them in terms of an ethical approach to research. They will know how to find specific guidance relating to research ethical approval and what they should include in research ethics applications.
Facilitator: John Martin
Applicability: suitable for research students requiring ethical approval to conduct their research.
Course dates and times:
  • 22 January 2025, 13:30–15:00 UK time (on campus)
  • 4 June 2025, 13:30–15:00 UK time (on campus)

Introduction to research funding for potential researchers (post PhD)
This is an introductory session for PhD students aiming to pursue a career in academia in the UK after obtaining their PhD. The session looks at postdoctoral research funding and not funding a PhD.
Facilitator: Ewa Thompson and Susan Eick
Applicability: suitable for most research students.
Course dates and times:
  • 23 October 2024, 10:00–11:30 UK time (online via Zoom)
  • 5 February 2025, 10:00–11:30 UK time (online via Zoom)

Human tissue research
This course provides compulsory training for any staff or research students using human tissue in their research. It will also prove useful to anyone intending to do research using human tissue in the future.
The use of human tissue for research in England and Wales is covered by legislation in the Human Tissue Act 2004 and regulated by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). Licences for research using human tissue are issued by the HTA and require that any staff teams working under the licence are suitably trained. As a Human Tissues licence holder the University has a minimum standard of training for all staff working with human tissue. This session provides an overview of Human Tissue legislation and the governance and standard operational procedures the University has in place to ensure that it complies with the HT Act regulations. Key areas covered include consent, disposal, transfer, data management and monitoring procedures. The legal status of human tissues stored as part of an NREC ethically approved project and material stored under the Human Tissues Act will also be discussed. A main purpose of this seminar is to ensure that all staff working with Human Tissue at the University of Plymouth are aware of their legal obligations in this field, as well as the help and resources that are available to them.
For more information on the content of this session please contact hta@plymouth.ac.uk.
Facilitator: Konstantin Glebov
Applicability: suitable for most research students and research staff.
This course can be completed online via the DLE/Moodle page: https://dle.plymouth.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=25918

Introduction to data management planning
This practical workshop aims to demystify research data management [RDM] and provide a grounding in writing basic Data Management Plans [DMPs], with a focus on requirements for RDC.1. The session includes real examples and introduces the University services that can assist with Research Data Management.
Please note this course will not cover research data management in great detail, however links to further guidance will be provided and signposted. Research Data Management information can be found on our Moodle page.
Facilitator: Library Research Support
Course dates and times:
  • 12 November 2024, 14:00–16:00 UK time (on campus)
  • 21 January 2025, 14:00–16:00 UK time (on campus)
  • 6 May 2025, 16:00–18:00 UK time (on campus)

An introduction to IRAS: electronic ethics submission to the health research authority using the online integrated research application system (IRAS)
This workshop will provide an introduction for people making an application to the Health Research Authority NHS ethics committee through IRAS. Participants will be able to set up forms and work on their own applications.
Facilitator(s): Sarah Jones
Course dates and times:
  • 21 November 2024, 14:00–15:30 UK time (online via Zoom)
  • 18 February 2025, 10:00–11:30 UK time (on campus)
  • 21 May 2025, 10:00–11:30 UK time (online via Zoom)

Introduction to Responsible Metrics
This session introduces the topic of “responsible metrics”, discusses the use of metrics in analysing/evaluating both research outputs and researchers, and aims to increase confidence in using the most common metrics found in research tools.
Course dates and times
  • 13 November 2024, 13:00–14:00 UK time (online via Zoom)
  • 17 February 2025, 10:00–11:00 UK time (online via Zoom)
  • 27 May 2025, 10:00–11:00 UK time (on campus)

Fellowship opportunities for Early Career Researchers (post PhD)
Learn about what type of fellowships are available, their benefits and how to apply for them.
Facilitator: Ewa Thompson and Susan Eick
  • 21 January 2025, 10:00–11:30 UK time (online via Zoom)

Research governance – an introduction
This session is designed to support staff, Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and PhD candidates in understanding and navigating the complexities of research governance. The session will cover key aspects such as ethical considerations, regulatory compliance, and the importance of maintaining data integrity. Participants will gain insights into effective research design, protocol development, and the ethical approval process, equipping them with the tools necessary to ensure that their research is conducted responsibly and to high ethical standards.
Who can attend: this session is targeted at research staff and PhD candidates who are involved in or will be conducting research that requires governance oversight. This would include anyone responsible for designing, conducting, or supervising research projects within the University.
Facilitator: Daniela Oehring and John Martin
Course dates and times:
  • 26 February 2025, 11:30–13:00 UK time (on campus)