1. Transferable Skills Development
Institutional support and programmes
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

2. Introductionary remarks Elements of a PhD training The Range of Skills 2
Agenda
Introductionary remarks
Elements of a PhD training
The Range of Skills
Implementation of the training scheme
Identifying transferable skills
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

3. Introductionary remarks Global challenges need global solutions3
Introductionary remarks
Global challenges need global solutions
Global brainpower, education and research on an international level, innovation, knowledge integration/transfer
Knowledge transfer is most effectively achieved through the brain of our good graduates, particularly at doctoral level
Universities play a critical role in providing
intellectual capacity and research potential
linkages between education and research activities to societal needs and their application
research culture in the society through dissemination activities, not only in and for R&D sectors
The doctorate is and must be research based !
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

4. Elements of a PhD training4
Elements of a PhD training
Taught elements = selected lectures, seminars
Professional elements = transferable skills development and training
Research element = PhD research project
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3 -
*graphics copied from M. Ritter, ICL
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

5. 5
The Range of Skills We started with the Joint Skills Statement looking at 3 dimensions:
Phases
Players
Areas
Research skills and techniques
Research environment
Research management
Personal effectiveness
Communications skills
Networking and team-working
Career management
Orientation and preparation phase
Research phase
Writing up phase
PostDoc phase
Supervisors
Research environment
Central support units
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

6. The Range of Skills: Example 6
The Range of Skills: Example
Research Skills and Techniques – to be able to demonstrate:
the ability to recognise and validate problems
original, independent and critical thinking, and the ability to develop theoretical concepts
a knowledge of recent advances within one's field and in related areas
an understanding of relevant research methodologies and techniques and their appropriate application within one's research field
the ability to critically analyse and evaluate one's findings and those of others
*Joint Skills Statement
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

7. The Range of Skills: Example Personal Effectiveness – to be able to: 7
The Range of Skills: Example
Personal Effectiveness – to be able to:
demonstrate a willingness and ability to learn and acquire knowledge
be creative, innovative and original in one's approach to research
demonstrate flexibility and open-mindedness
demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to identify own training needs
demonstrate self-discipline, motivation, and thoroughness
recognise boundaries and draw upon/use sources of support as appropriate
show initiative, work independently and be self-reliant
*Joint Skills Statement
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

8. Cornerstones for the Implementation in Vienna 8
Cornerstones for the Implementation in Vienna
Complementary offer to the courses at the faculties
Workshops are specially tailored to the needs of doctoral candidates
Open for doctoral candidates and visiting PhDs only
Interdisciplinarity and small groups (max. 20 participants)
Usual duration: one to two days
NON-compulsary and NO ECTS credits
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

9. Cornerstones for the Implementation in Vienna ctd. 9
Cornerstones for the Implementation in Vienna ctd.
Start: Winter term 2009/10
40-50 Workshops / Term
Internal co-operations: Library, Computer Service, ….
External co-operations: Funding institutions (Austrian Science Fund, Austrian Academy of Science,…)
Recruitment of (internationally) experienced trainers as subcontractors
Evaluation of
each individual workshop
the workshop programme
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

10. 10
Workshops
Orientation Workshops: Library courses, reference management software, funding possibilities
Methodological Workshops: Exposé Writing, Academic Writing (German & English), Presentation techniques, SPSS, Atlas ti,
Generic Skills: Time and Project management, Rhetoric and Communication Skills, Science Communication
Career Development: Grant proposal writing for post doc fellowships, Job application training
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11. 11
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12. 12
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13. 13
The Value of the Doctorate “The product that the PhD researcher creates is not the Thesis – vital though that is to their subject area through the creation of original knowledge – no, the product of their study is the development of themselves”. Sir Gareth Roberts
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

14. Identifying Transferable Skills The time as doctoral student: 14
Identifying Transferable Skills
The time as doctoral student:
a progressively specializing process for a singular career path, or
a program of research, teaching, scholarship in which you develop a broad skill set that can qualify you for a wide variety of career paths.
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

15. Awareness of Transferable Skills 15
Awareness of Transferable Skills
Focus on skills developed instead of content area
Education should be seen as a process
Inclusive view on skills developed as an undergraduate or in previous jobs, and through personal interests
Skills are associated with activities and tasks
e.g. teaching, research, serving on committees, organizing colloquia, updating departmental website
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16.
Awareness of Transferable Skills: Example Teaching an introductory course in…
Tasks:
Prepare syllabus
Order books
Plan and organize lessons
Photocopied material for students
Prepared lectures and discussions
Answered questions, prepared exams, graded papers
Evaluated student progress (as a class and individually)
Face to face meetings with students to discuss their progress
Skills
Organizational ability
Planning and scheduling ability
Public speaking skill
Ability to translate new concepts to new learners (and old concepts in new and interesting ways)
Interpersonal skills (small and large group skills)
Diplomacy
Ability to manage groups of people in leading discussions
Ability to think on one’s feet
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17. 17
Concluding remarks Transferable skills are developed through the performance of research. An inspiring and open-minded environment and a critical mass of research are prerequisites. Sufficient space, freedom and support must be given to doctoral candidates to develop these skills. Thinking about future career paths must not be delayed until the final phase of the dissertation project.
Zagreb, 10 October 2011

18. lucas.zinner@univie.ac.at http://doktorat.univie.ac.at/
Thanks
Contact:
Zagreb, 10 October 2011