Skip to main content

Centre for Research Capability and Development


The Centre for Research Capability and Development is responsible for the design and delivery of research-informed training and development initiatives for early, middle, and senior career researchers. The Centre supports the development of professional research skills through a combination of workshops, digital resources, reading groups, activity-based learning, peer mentoring, and 1-2-1 support.

All our developmental initiatives incorporate the below cross-cutting strands:

  • International and cross-sectoral perspectives and engagement
  • Responsible, equitable, and inclusive approaches to research and innovation
  • Disciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary working and understanding
  • Digital capability and development

To foster deep learning and to encourage researchers to critique and develop their research practice and profile, our developmental initiatives are opportunity and output focused and tailored to meet individual and team needs.

Our Postgraduate Research Development Programme, supports our doctoral candidates from their first day through to graduation and beyond, through a mix of seminars, workshops, events and activities.

For our research staff, opportunity and output focussed development programmes ensure researchers develop their research practice and profile.

Research Development Online

The University offers a range of online developmental modules for researchers at all stages of their career, including modules on: career planning, managing your doctorate, communication skills, research ethics and integrity, research methods, and research supervision.

Developmental Pathways in Research

Aligned to Vitae's Researcher Development Framework, a suggested series of developmental pathways have been created to assist researchers in selecting training and development opportunities most relevant to their career stage and research portfolio. This is accompanied by an application-based processes that supports researchers in thinking through their developmental needs.

We recommend focusing on a single developmental strand at one time, encouraging researchers to take a “slow” approach to their professional development. This ensures researchers have the necessary time and headspace to critically reflect on their practice and to test new ways of working. All our development opportunities are cohort-based and intensive, with opportunities for interdisciplinary and disciplinary discussions.

Discover how we're providing opportunities for staff development.

Take a look at the type of materials that we use to support our candidates.

Our Centres provide a comprehensive, collaborative training environment

 Queen’s Award for Enterprise Logo
University of the year shortlisted
QS Five Star Rating 2023