New advanced research project management course

Are you embarking on a new research project? Or finding it difficult to juggle the tasks that underpin your current work? Apply now for our new Advanced Research Project Management course and learn how to better allocate time and resources, facilitate communication with colleagues and collaborators, and mitigate risk factors and uncertainty.

Places are limited and this course is best suited for those looking to apply project management methods to a more complex research project. It is aimed at postdocs who:

• are in the process of developing fellowship applications
• have some responsibility for supporting delivery of projects within their research group (beyond doing the research themselves)
• are working on collaborative projects which introduce a degree of complexity into the management process.

If you're looking for an introductory or more compact session, sign up for our Introduction to Research Project Management masterclass on 20 June.

Course dates and format

This is an online blended learning course with a combination of e-learning (2.5 hours of video and approximately 6-8 hours of project planning activities), and two live discussion sessions on:  

• Wednesday 8 May, 10:00-11:30 
• Wednesday 19 June, 10:00-11:30

Participants will have access to the online material for 12 months to support their professional development in this area. Participants are expected to complete the e-learning activities and to participate in the discussion workshops as an opportunity to consolidate learning and benefit from peer networking.

Course content

During the course you will:  

• explore different project management approaches and methodologies (APM / AGILE / PRINCEII), tools and techniques, and how these can be applied when managing research projects
• examine how to effectively define the scope of a project, including the delivery of outputs, impact and knowledge exchange
• discuss how to engage and manage expectations of stakeholders of the research project
• explore how to set up effective governance for research projects
• learn how to tailor project management plans to fit with research funders' expectations
• use planning, risk management and budgeting tools to effectively manage research projects
• develop approaches to effectively monitor and manage collaborative research projects
• discuss approaches to resolving challenges in the delivery of research projects
• identify your own challenges in managing research projects and identify ways to overcome these.

About the facilitator

This workshop will be facilitated by Robin Henderson, HE development consultant. Robin has previously held research, academic and professional service roles. He has been consulting within the HE sector for the past 18 years, working directly with academics. He has a detailed knowledge of the funding landscape and the different disciplinary approaches and cultures linked to research practice and funding.

Robin is a professional member of the Association for Coaching, Association for Project Management, and the CIPD. 

How to apply

To apply for a place on this course, please complete this application form by noon on Friday 26 April.

You will be asked about your prior experience with and aspirations for research project management, why you would like to attend the course and what benefits you expect to derive, and to describe a current or upcoming research project to which you hope to apply your learning from the course.