Being a PhD student can be challenging at the best of times, and even more so in times of pandemic. However it is not enough to just survive being a PhD student. It is also possible to thrive and build the foundations for a sustainable satisfying and rewarding career path.
This course focusses on two foundational sets of personal skills towards thriving as an academic/researcher/professional.
One is about understanding who you are as an academic/researcher/professional, and shaping your choices to be in line with your values and building on your strengths.
The other is about bringing your best self to your work by taking wellbeing seriously. The scientific evidence is clear that “…well-being is a critical enabling condition for academic success [where] …balanced, happy people are more productive, more creative, more collaborative….” [Berkely Uni ‘Graduate Happiness and Wellbeing Report’, 2014]
The overall aim of this course therefore is to develop critical personal skills that are important for knowing yourself and looking after yourself as an academic/researcher/professional. The content of the course will be driven by input on core skills, as well as topics identified by participants as important to them now.
Pre-recorded video lectures, online lectures, and readings
Self-work such as completing validated questionnaires, trying out different interventions
Blocked workshop sessions, ideally in-person
Highly interactive group discussions, presentations and reflections
Format: Note: we have been advised to say 'hybrid' given current uncertainties but our hope is that we will be able to deliver the course in person as the main modality.]
Admission priority: This is a Fundamental PhD Course of the Faculty of Informatics for doctoral students. Doctoral students in Computer Science therefore have admission priority to this course.
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ECTS breakdown: 3 ECTS = 75 hours
20 hrs whole class sessions
15 hrs self-work re questionnaires, interventions etc
10 hrs reading
10 hrs group work
10 hrs reflective journal
10 hrs final report
50% Critical reflective journal: [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- incl reflections on questionnaire outcomes, experiences implementing choices, and on applying four different health and wellbeing interventions, engaging in peer networking
50% Final report: [LO 1,2,3]
- Personalised statement of you as an academic/research/professional: ‘my user manual’
- Strategic career principles: including e.g., decision criteria, key qualities, key contributions, job crafting strategies
