This module is being created as part of the Certificate in Research Skills. The certificate has been developed for PhD students and consists of six 3-ECTS modules delivered through a 1 week summer school followed by 12 weeks online delivery. This module introduces students to the theory and practice of networking, and it provides students with an understanding of the formal and informal channels that can be used to communicate research outputs and relevance. It is generally understood that graduate students must develop a research project and write a thesis; however, it is less well recognised that they must also build a community around their research topic. Research becomes valuable when it is communicated to others by being presented at a conference, published in a paper, explained in a classroom, explicated to the public through diverse media or discussed with peers in a variety of formal and informal settings. Researchers must articulate the implications of their research for multiple audiences and networking is a crucial skill in raising the profile of both the individual and their research project. Networking is a reciprocal social and communicative process that serves important functions for the academic community: developing relationships for future collaborations; learning about funding, promotion and employment opportunities; combating isolation; staying current with research being undertaken elsewhere; raising academic profile and building a research reputation; sharing resources, support and ideas. This module supports students as they investigate the networks in their specific disciplines and helps them to develop a personal strategy for communicating their research, building their network and raising their academic profile.

This module provides students with an understanding of both research profile and reputation, and how both are supported by formal and informal networks. The value of networks and their functions in academic contexts will be explored. Collaboration and social interaction are important elements of the research cycle and this module facilitates students in identifying discipline-specific online and live networks. They will develop a personal research profile that can be used in a variety of contexts and they will produce a short synopsis of the content, context and relevance of their personal research project. Students will evaluate the relevance of diverse social media for their promoting their research and will identify other opportunities for engaging with academic, media and public audiences. This module will enable students to develop a personal communications strategy aimed at fostering research reputation.

On successful completion of this module students will be able to: 1. Describe the different communication channels available to academic researchers 2. Articulate research objectives to a range of audiences, formally and informally, through a variety of media. 3. Recognise the importance of networks 4. Identify discipline-specific live and online networks 5. Evaluate available networks and develop a personal communications strategy 6. Identify, appraise and understand diverse audiences

On successful completion of this module students will be able to: 1. Understand the importance of communicating research: content, context and relevance 2. Understand the necessity of building research profile and reputation in national and international contexts 3. Appreciate the value of engaging with academic, media and public audiences to promote understanding of research objectives and outputs. 4. Make connections with the wider research world and identify opportunities for collaboration and knowledge transfer.

N/a

This module is taught using a blended-delivery model. It will involve an on-campus workshop followed by a four-week online programme that will engage students in discussions, e-tivities and relevant readings. The importance of networks and communicating research is increasingly recognised internationally by academic institutions and higher education authorities, and many of these bodies are encouraging students to engage with this critical aspect of the research process.