Research Training and Support
Research and skills training
Some research degrees (for example, the New Route PhD and professional doctorates) incorporate an integral programme of research and subject training appropriate for the programme of study. Further information on programme structures and modules can be found within the detailed descriptions of these degrees.
Many academic Schools offer research training programmes for PhD students and in some cases attendance may be compulsory for progression. In addition, your supervisor may recommend (or require) your attendance on particular training courses or Masters-level modules. For further information on the arrangements in place within particular Schools or Specialist Research Institutes, you are advised to check the School’s or SRI’s webpages or contact them directly.
The Graduate School provides an extensive programme of academic skills and research training courses. These are available free to all research students across the University and cover core skills such as working effectively with your supervisor, writing a thesis, and getting published.
Most Schools and research groups run regular seminars where visiting speakers and Brunel staff discuss their research and the latest developments in the field. There is also a programme of University Inaugural and Professorial Lectures that provide an opportunity to hear leading researchers within Brunel.
Supervision
All research students will have at least two named supervisors. The principal supervisor must be a full-time member of staff at Brunel. Students will have a minimum of eight formally-recorded supervision meetings per year, though many will see their supervisor much more regularly than this.
Facilities
Brunel has excellent research facilities across a range of research disciplines. The specific facilities available to research students within their own School or research area obviously vary depending on the requirements of the research discipline, so it is best to contact the School or Specialist Research Institute directly for further information.
The Brunel Graduate School provides centralised 24-hour access facilities for all research students which include a comfortable common room and a quiet study room (both with laptop plug-in points), a kitchen with coffee- and tea-making facilities, a postgraduate study centre with 40 networked PCs, and a laptop loan service.
Research conferences
A number of Schools run annual research conference events for research students to showcase their research and gain valuable presentation experience. In addition the Graduate School hosts an annual Research Student Poster Conference open to all research students across Brunel. Prizes of up to £500 are typically available for the best papers and posters.
Funding may be available within some Schools or Specialist Research Institutes to support students to present their work at an external conference during their time at Brunel. In addition all research students who have a paper accepted at a conference can apply for a Vice Chancellor’s Travel Prize of £500 to support their attendance at the conference.
