Research Training and Events

Research skills

The Library鈥檚 Teams provide a range of training for University staff and students to enhance their research practice. Our training essential research skills associated with:

discovering, organising, managing and evaluating information resources for your research
storing, managing and sharing any associated data in appropriate and reproduceable formats
ensuring your research outputs are open access.

Events and news

海角社区 Open Research Awards

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Training workshops

The Library鈥檚 teams run a regular programme of training workshops for University staff and students to develop core research skills for information management and publication. Details of these sessions are below (booking details to follow). If you have cannot make a session but would like to attend another time, or if you have any ideas of sessions you would like to see in the future, do let us know.

Reference management

Reference Management: EndNote and Zotero

Date(s): Various (see below)

Delivered: Online and in-person at the Library

Course Description:

Want to know more about managing your references, saving time and avoiding plagiarism? Reference management software can help you to organise your references and automatically format citations, reference lists, and bibliographies in Word.

We now run training sessions for both EndNote and Zotero. Choose one, or come to both of our sessions to try them and see which one you prefer. Choose Zotero if you want an easy-to-use tool which you can maintain access to when you leave 海角社区, or want something that is particularly effective at importing references from the web and collaborating with others. Choose EndNote if you need advanced features for managing references for a large or complex project, want the assurance of publisher technical support if needed, or if your department or research group uses it. Try both and see which you prefer!

We will cover the following topics in this session:

How to create a Library and back it up.
How to select your department's chosen referencing style.
How to import items from database searches, including Google Scholar.
How to add other types of references manually (including reports, web pages).
How to edit references
How to create groups of references and organise your library.
How to attach full text articles to citations
How to create citations and bibliographies within Word

Please have the Desktop application downloaded onto your computer before the session. Find a link here to download EndNote. Download Zotero

Please find our general EndNote guidance linked here.

Please find guidance on using Zotero Note that the Library鈥檚 own online guide to Zotero is coming soon!

Presenters: Thomas Chilton, Lance Hayward, Rhiannon Taylor, Chris Bark, Sam Johnson.

Book here:

Literature Searching for Researchers

Date(s): 22 October 2026 10:00-11:30 and 16 November 2026, 14:00-15:30

Delivered: Online and in-person (see locations below)

Course Description:

A general introduction to help you develop your literature searching techniques, including:

Discovering your librarian and subject library guides
Adopting a more systematic approach to literature searching
Understanding key searching techniques and how to save searches and create alerts
Evaluating the impact of any AI tools you might use on your search results
Taking a deeper look at the Scopus and Web of Science databases
Thinking about how to record and report your literature search results

This is a hybrid session, and it will take place simultaneously online and in person.

Presenters: Chris Bark, Sam Johnson

Investigating Research Metrics

Date(s): Thursday 12th November 2026, 13:00-14:30

Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Library Seminar Room

Course Description:

An introduction to research metrics, including citations, journal impact factors and altmetrics, and how they impact you, including:

Finding citation metrics, altmetrics and journal impact factors

Use of the Scopus, Web of Science and Dimensions databases

Limitations and responsible use of research metrics

Consideration of artificial intelligence in measuring research

This is a hybrid session, and it will take place simultaneously online and in the Floor 2 Seminar Room, the Library

Presenter: Jackie Hanes, Lance Hayward

Publishing Strategically Series

Date(s): Various (see below)

Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.

Course Description:
What is involved in the publication process and how is this changing? What are the new requirements researchers have to think about when publishing?

These workshops introduce students to these topics and issues and more. We will look at what to consider when planning to publish your research: why you might want to publish, what to consider when deciding where to publish, how to promote your published work, open access and other funder requirements. This series of workshops also looks in detail at different types of publications researchers may wish to consider. The sessions will focus on choosing between publication venues, the pros and cons on each type of publication and hints and tips on how to successfully publish with each one.

Individual Workshops:

1 - Publishing Essentials

Publishing Essentials

Date(s): 28th May 2025 14:00-15:30.
Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.
Summary:

This session forms the basis of the series and attendees can expect to examine publication practices across the disciplines; reflect on your motivation for publication; consider alternatives to traditional publication to encourage impact and public awareness of your work.In addition the session will cover the implications of open access and various funders鈥� requirements for open access when deciding on a venue for publication (including the new open access policy for REF2029).

By the end of the workshop you will have:

Considered advantages and disadvantages of different routes to publication
Considered copyright agreements and ways to publicise your work
Heard about the new requirements for open access and how they might affect your choice of publication venue
Started to develop a plan for your next publication and any promotion of your publication you will need to do afterwards

2 - Journal Publishing

Journal Publishing

Date(s): This session will be rescheduled at a later date.
Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.
Summary:

The session will focus particularly on choosing a publication venue for your journal article, we will look at a range of tools to allow you to evaluate journals, what this means for your work as well as start to develop a personal ranked list of possible journals. We will also look at how the evaluation of journals is changing and consider the benefits and drawbacks of various journal and article metrics. Finally, we will touch on the various publication models and methods of peer review used by modern journals.

This session will cover all disciplines and subject areas but will be of particular interest to STEM researchers.

By the end of the workshop you will have:

Investigated a range of tools to evaluate different scholarly journal titles and other trade publications in a range of subject areas
Had an introduction to open access and what it means for journal publication
Have a solid understanding of what journal metrics are, how to find them and why they might be useful

Please contact us if you would be interested in attending a future occurance

3 - Book Publishing

Book Publishing

Date(s): This session will be rescheduled at a later date.
Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.
Summary:
This session will focus on the ways in which publishing your work as a long form scholarly work may differ to journal publication. We will look at the book publishing process and what a book proposal form looks like as well as how to approach editors with your work in the first place. The session also touches of literary agents and how they may be useful to you.

This session will cover all disciplines and subject areas but will be of particular interest to Arts and Social Sciences researchers.

By the end of the workshop you will have:

Considered a range of different types of scholarly books that might be options for publication. Including, monographs, trade press, textbooks, edited collections and more
Seen examples of book proposal forms and considered how you might start completing one for your project
Been introduced to the idea of a literary agent and discussed where one might be useful to you

Please contact us if you would be interested in attending a future occurance

4 - Future of Scholarly Publishing

Future of Scholarly Publishing

Date(s): 6th May 2026 10:00-11:00.
Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.
Summary:

2025 was the 360th anniversary of the academic journal, representing over three and a half centuries of the dominance of the peer-reviewed journal article as a key method of disseminating research. However, in practical terms, very little has changed about the journal article in those 360 years, while at the same time we have seen significant shifts in how scholarship is practiced, as scholars and citizens participate in an increasingly digital world. Is the scholarly article, as conceived by the Royal Society in 1665, still fit for its purpose in this data-driven world, with new interdisciplinary methodologies and increasing automation?

This workshop offers researchers the space to consider what they need from the dissemination of their research and discuss ideas to fully exploit the digital environment to their advantage when publishing and promoting their work. We will consider new types of publication, the ethics and social justice of publishing as well as practical tips on how to incorporate these into your publishing strategy

Open Research Essentials

Date(s): 30th Oct 2025, 10:00-11:00

Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.

Course Description:

Open Research refers to a set of practices that aims to make the constituent parts of the research process as 鈥榦pen鈥� (accessible, sharable, reproducible) as possible to demonstrate the research's quality, integrity and reproducibility. Sometimes referred to as 鈥極pen Science鈥� or 鈥極pen Scholarship鈥�, open research can touch every part of your projects, everything from the decisions you make while planning projects, to how to collect and manage your research data and software to peer review, publication and promotion. Whatever form it takes, Open Research has benefits for academia, it benefits the public good, and it has benefits for individual researchers

Nevertheless, Open Research can mean different things to different subjects and different researchers and it is not always easy for researchers to know how and to what extent they can engage with these 鈥榦pen鈥� practices in their research. In this workshop, we will explore the research cycle through the lens of Open Research culture to consider the different ways you can make your research 鈥榦pen鈥�.

Booking is now closed - please contact us if you would be interested in attending a future occurance

Research Data Management Essentials

Introduction to Research Data Management

Date(s): 11:00-13:00, Wednesday 14th October 2026.

Delivered: Hybrid - Online and the Library Seminar Room 222.

Course Description:

Research Data Management (RDM) is vitally important for the success of a research project and is becoming increasingly important with major funding bodies, such as UKRI, the Wellcome Trust and Horizon Europe. This session will introduce some key concepts, including the research data lifecycle, funder and institution requirements, and Data Management Plans (DMPs). We will then move on to practical advice for researchers on day-to-day RDM best practice, incorporating introductory advice on file management, data repositories and the use of AI with research data.

Presenter: Gabriel Clarke

Intellectual Property and AI: An Introduction

Date(s): This session will be rescheduled at a later date.

Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.

Course Description:

鈥淚f I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.鈥� 鈥� Sir Isaac Newton

This famous quote is often used to illustrate how research is undertaken and to demonstrate how frequently research needs to be shared and reused. One of the key tools in doing this is copyright, a way to ensure the rights of the creator in the context of use and reuse of scholarship. This workshop will introduce the fundamentals of copyright, its place in a growing environment of open research practices and how it fits into an atmosphere of research integrity and enhanced research ethics. We will also consider the current politics of the use and reuse of scholarly material in an age of large language models and generative artificial intelligence. The session will cover a mix of theory and practical examples as well as provide plenty of space for discussion and questions on the topics covered.

By the end of the workshop you will have:

Covered the basics of UK Copyright Legislation and how to reuse material created by others in an ethical and responsible way.

Been introduced to the Creative Commons Licences and learnt more about how they are used.

Considered how to ensure you are protecting your own intellectual property.

Discussed the implications of the use of AI tools on intellectual property rights and some of the ways in which this can be done responsibly.

Booking is now closed - please contact us if you would be interested in attending a future occurance

Rights Retention

Rights Retention 鈥� The What, Why and How?

Date(s): This session will be rescheduled at a later date.

Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.

Course Description:

On the 1st October 2025, the University implemented an updated Open Access Policy that featured an Institutional Rights Retention Policy. This change in policy helps researchers retain more ownership of their own work, while aiding compliance with policies including REF, UKRI, Wellcome Trust, among many others. This session will break down what has changed, how it will benefit researchers, and how this will (and won鈥檛) change what researchers are currently doing.

Booking is now closed - please contact us if you would be interested in attending a future occurance

Profiles for Researchers

Date(s): 20th August 2026, 14:00-15:30

Delivered: Hybridly - Online and the Wolfson Research Exchange, the Library.

Course Description:

Networking can open avenues to new perspectives, collaborations and opportunities for the researcher, but this increasingly happens online through research profiles and social media. In this session, we will give you an overview of the different types of profiles you may be interested in setting up as a researcher. We will offer guidance on managing multiple profiles, and how to manage dealing changing institutions. There will then be an opportunity to manage, update or set up any of the profiles covered in the session with the helpful guidance of the Open Research Team.

Presenter: Josh Caldicott

Research Support Essentials

Date(s): 08 Oct, 10:00-11:00 and 10 Nov 13:00-14:00

Delivered: Online and in the Library Seminar Room (second floor)

Course Description:

Meet the Research & Academic Support team and discover library services and support for postgraduate research students, including introductions to:

Literature searching and library resources
Practical research data management (RDM)
Open access, open research and publishing (OA)

Come along to meet some of the team, and learn where to go for further support.

This event takes place online and in-person in the Library Seminar Room.

Presenters: Jackie Hanes, Gabriel Clarke, Josh Caldicott

Critical AI Use for Researchers

Date(s): See below.

Delivered: Online and in the Library Seminar Room.

Whether you are an enthusiastic adopter of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, have serious objections, or are somewhere in between, AI is increasingly embedded in research infrastructure, from library search tools and reference managers, to writing and analysis.

This session will help you to navigate this landscape by exploring what it means to use AI critically: making informed, ethical, and transparent decisions about whether, when, and how AI tools might support your research. It will consider questions that arise at different stages of the research process, from articulating research goals, to conducting an AI-assisted search or engaging with an AI assistant, evaluating their outputs and documenting and acknowledging their use. This session will show you how to:

Consider whether AI use would be appropriate for a particular research task, and consistent with institutional and departmental policy
Identify factors to consider when selecting an AI tool, including its purpose, limitations, privacy implications, and potential risks
Understand in broad terms how an AI search works and how generative AI tools produce results, and consider their possible benefits and drawbacks (including environmental impact)
Distinguish between AI-generated content and the sources on which research claims should be based
Formulate effective prompts where using an AI tool is appropriate
Critically evaluate an AI output, including its accuracy, bias, omissions and provenance
Consider issues of confidentiality, intellectual property, attribution, and academic integrity
Keep appropriate records of AI use where this is needed and identify when and how AI should be acknowledged

This session does not advocate AI use and is not a research methods session. It is interdisciplinary, and will not cover every possible research scenario. Instead, we will explore how you might apply broader principles of academic rigour, integrity, and transparency should you choose to engage with this technology.

Online training courses

We also provide a range of online training course through Moodle, that allow you to develop your research skills in your own time, and at your own pace.

Understanding Open access

This module is designed to give postgraduate and early career researchers a practical overview of the principles of Open Access and Open Access publishing of research output. The aim is to encourage researchers to embed best practices within their work from the earliest opportunity. On completion of the module, you will:

Gain knowledge on the principles of Open Access and their application to scholarly publishing.
Have a better understanding of funder Open Access mandates when publishing funded research output.
Expand your knowledge of copyright and licences in relation to publishing agreements.
Have awareness of the Open Access publication process and compliant publications.
Be able to identify tools that support Open Access publishing.

Research data management and planning

Introduction

Research data management (RDM) relates to the handling, storage, curation, preservation and provision of continuing access to analogue and digital research data. Research data collected during a project may include qualitative interview records, survey results, quantitative experimental data, and more! Regardless of the data you are collecting, RDM is a way of codifying these research good practices in a way that can make it easier for you to conduct your research.

This Moodle course provides asynchronous learning materials to complement the "Research Data Management Essentials" course run through SkillsForge. Although the topics build on top of each other, there is no requirement for them to be completed in a linear fashion. The final two topics provide links to further resources that might be of interest, and details of where and who to contact for further help with data management.

Course aims

Understand the general rules of appropriate data management in accordance with responsible conduct of research.
Be aware of good practice in managing research data in general and apply it within your own work context.
Be able to use the information featured in the unit to draw up a data management plan and maintain it through the course of your research.

Publishing in a digital environment

Introduction

What are the options for communicating your research in a digital environment? How is publishing evolving and how do you choose the most appropriate platform for your target audience?

This online course from the Library's Scholarly Communications Team explores some of the options available to help you make informed choices when planning your publication strategy and provides practical advice and guidance to help you navigate this rapidly changing landscape.

The course is divided into eight modules, each focusing on a different aspect of publishing and dissemination, including articles, books, conference papers and less formal outlets, such as academic blogs. Each module is designed to standalone, so you can either follow the course from start to finish, or select the sections that are most relevant to your own research and audience.

Course aims

Consider the importance of planning for publication and start to develop your own publishing strategy
Gain awareness of the different venues available for publishing your research, both formally and informally, and explore some of the tools available to help you identify, evaluate and target the most appropriate outlets for your work
Understand what to expect from the publication process, how to improve your chances of being accepted and how to respond to reviewers' comments
Consider how you can maximise the dissemination of your publications

Bespoke training

We can also provide tailored presentations and workshops for faculties, departments and research groups, as well as one-to-one advice sessions.

If you would like to arrange a training session or have specific questions and would like to book a one-to-one advice session with a member of our team contact our Research and Academic Services team .

Other training providers

Doctoral college

Doctoral College Researcher Development Programme

The programme covers all disciplines and stages of research including;

Writing
Research methods
Productivity
PhD in Second language series
Wellbeing and support for your career.

Other University of 海角社区 training External training providers