King's postgraduate research students and postdoctoral research staff can access and book places on the CDS training courses through our online system Skills Forge. For guidance about course bookings, see Booking & Course Availability.
Introduction to Public Engagement (PGR322)
Aimed at PGR students and early career researchers with little or no prior experience of public engagement, the session will help you develop skills and an understanding of public engagement with research, as well as help you consider possible public engagement you can carry out with your own research, through our public engagement small grants scheme.
Media Awareness (PGR334)
A comprehensive and engaging introduction to all aspects of the media, including ‘how journalists source stories’ and ‘using social media to become media aware’.
Expanding your Research into Consulting (CRSD18)
Many commercial and non-profit organisations stand to benefit from accessing the knowledge and expertise of researchers at King’s. However, the process of identifying potential consulting opportunities and converting these into viable projects which stand a good chance of delivering satisfactory outcomes to all involved is not straightforward. Specific skills are needed to avoid the all too common pitfalls and to make the experience of working with external clients as smooth and risk-free as possible. This course will provide you with all the know-how you need. We start by describing the sorts of external projects you could pursue and then use a number of practical and interactive exercises that will help you in spotting opportunities outside of King’s, making the connection with potential clients and ‘sealing the deal’. Above all, the course demonstrates how to expand the impact of your research outside of King’s through paid work while maintaining your academic independence.
Fundamentals of Designing a Poster Presentation (PGR113)
This course is aimed at research students planning to give a poster presentation during the course of their research degree. It covers the key aspects of ensuring the poster is effective and well-designed and is intended as an introduction to giving a poster presentation. By the end of this course, participants will understand what a research poster is and the purpose of them, be able to identify characteristics of effective posters and use techniques for designing and structuring the content, text and graphics of a poster.
Creative Science Storytelling (for Communicating Technical Careers) (CRSD71)
The aim of this session is to equip the participants with the skills they need to use creative storytelling skills to communicate with a range of audiences in the professional setting. These are simple techniques borrowed from the world of storytelling that can bring to life even the most technical scientific and engineering content, making it memorable, understandable and engaging.
Making the Most of Conferences (PGR115)
This course is aimed at research students who feel they need some guidance in knowing what to expect at their first research conference, whether online or in person, including how to network effectively. You will learn to understand what you are aiming to get out of a conference, practical advice on what to do before, during and after the conference and how to plan and be able to identify effective networking strategies and develop confidence about conference attendance.
Making an Impact in the World Beyond Academia (CRSD62)
Translating your work into impact beyond academia is increasingly an important and rewarding part of a researcher’s career. This training is for anyone who wants to create some change in the world that builds on the academic outputs of research. Designed for researchers from any discipline, the course draws on practical examples of a wide range of different ways to bring about impact, including contributing to changes through public service improvement, policy making, commercialisation, media profile, public engagement, organisational development and behavioural change.
Presenting with Confidence (PGR229)
Presenters need to know how to capture and hold the attention of their audience who expect a shorter, but more dynamic presentation style. This session will build on your existing skills to help you present with greater authority and leave a lasting positive impact when presenting. This programme is primarily designed for those who have some experience of presenting but want to move their skills to the next level. Specifically, the training will provide a complete and practical guide to every aspect of designing and delivering a high impact presentation.
Public Speaking for Research Students & Staff (PGR185)
Academics can make as much of an impact from what they say as what they write whether it be through teaching, conferences or job presentations. This workshop takes participants through how to structure a speech, the use of appropriate language and imagery, audio-visual aids and how to master the Q & A, and draws upon acting techniques such as how to improve diction, resonance and stage presence as well as relaxation and breathing techniques to calm nerves.
Masterclass in Compelling Communications (PGR198)
Are you looking to learn how to tell a story through your research? Join the Entrepreneurship Institute for a masterclass in compelling communication. Regardless of discipline, by honing your compelling communication skills, you will be able to convey your research effectively to any audience. This masterclass will provide you with the essential tools needed to differentiate yourself among fellowship funding applications and panel interviews, both in academia and outside of academia.
Masterclass in Team Dynamics (PGR335)
In this masterclass, participants will learn the fundamentals of team dynamics and work in effective and diverse teams that foster innovative thinking and behaviour. We will cover the hallmarks of high performing teams, the importance of shared vision and how to manage constructive conflict. Participants will understand the value of working collaboratively to benefit research and maximise impact.
Masterclass in Personal Effectiveness (PGR336)
This masterclass will teach the fundamentals of a growth mindset and personal resilience through identifying common mental blocks and creating positive working and thinking habits to address them. This workshop will cover time management techniques to assist with the proactive planning and prioritising of research. Participants will grow their confidence in testing the boundaries and how to navigate unexpected results or roadblocks.
Masterclass in Disruptive Thinking: Up-Level your Impact (PGR197)
Are you looking to engage in your research in a new way? Join the Entrepreneurship Institute for a masterclass in disruptive thinking, regardless of discipline, the skill of disruptive thinking will help you grow as an academic by enabling you to develop and explore new problems and engage with existing ones in creative, novel ways. This masterclass will provide you with the essential tools to test boundaries and confidently pioneer new ways of approaching things that challenge the status quo.
Influencing Policy (CRSD63)
Translating your research into changes in policy can be one of the biggest ways to make an impact beyond the academic world. This training is for anyone who wants to have an influence on policy, whether at a local, national or international level. Designed for researchers from any discipline, the course draws on practical examples from a wide range of policy domains, including health and social care, community and social policy, business, professional regulation, arts and humanities, and technology.
Writing and Giving Conference Papers for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (PGR159)
Do you want guidance on giving conference papers? This course will cover all stages of conference presentations: identifying an area of research suitable for a paper, choosing which conference(s) to attend, writing an abstract, preparing and presenting a talk, and handling questions. Advice will be offered on timing, dealing with nerves, and different ways of delivering papers (reading out, PowerPoint, handouts, etc.). Advice will also be offered on chairing panels, organising your own panels, panel diversity (‘manels’ etc.), and developing your own conference networks. We will cover common concerns, and the session will be full of practical advice and examples of what (not) to do. This session is suitable for people who consider themselves inexperienced at conference speaking or want to improve how they present. It’s a stand-alone session, but goes well with ‘Making the Most of Conferences’.