researcher development programme 2013-2014

Contents
Introduction 3

Research training Wednesday seminars and workshops

Skills development Writing Matters: creative academic writing Residencies and projects with arts organisations Student-led projects Tacit a digital journal Miriadonline workshops

Research support for students Research methods support officer MIRIAD research associate Student support officer Research degrees administrator: art and design MMU Graduate School courses The Writing Project at MMU

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English Language Services for International Students

External training Artsmethods Vitae

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Front cover photo credits: Maud Goldman Manchester Libraries, Manchester City Council Derek Trillo

Introduction
The researcher development programme 2013-14 at MIRIAD (Manchester Institute for Research in Art and Design) in the Manchester School of Art has been designed to ensure postgraduate students have the skills required to successfully manage their research and also their subsequent careers. Supervisors and other MMU staff will also find aspects of the programme of value. The programme provides essential components of your experience as a research student. The programme is linked to PARCNorthWest, the region-wide Practice as Research Consortium, which is led by MIRIAD. Students play a key part in developing PARCNorthWests programme. The consortium consists of fourteen higher education institutions in the north west region (Glyndr University, Liverpool Hope University; Liverpool John Moores University; Manchester Metropolitan University; University of Bolton; Edgehill University; University of Lancaster; University of Salford; Royal Northern College of Music; University of Chester; University of Cumbria; University of Central Lancashire). This brochure gives details of the four strands of the programme: Research training Skills development Research support for students External training

The following members of staff in MIRIAD have particular responsibilities for the programme. Professor Jim Aulich: Research degree programme leader Dr Amanda Ravetz: Deputy research degree programme leader Dr David Haley: Co-convenor research training Dr Myna Trustram: Co-convenor research training

Photo credits: Sara Han Derek Trillo

Research training
The Wednesday seminars and workshops
A series of seminars, lectures and workshops every Wednesday between 13.30 and 15.00 designed to help you make your research journey. It addresses the processes central to successful research in art, media, design and architecture. It examines many kinds of research from traditional text-based to practice-led. The expert presenters represent many disciplines from within and outside Manchester Metropolitan University. These sessions are integral to your studies and attendance contributes to your Annual Monitoring and Evaluation (AME). In addition to assisting you with your personal research, a broad knowledge of wider research practices is offered as an essential part of research success. Repeat attendance is required as you progress through the different stages of your research. The only sessions where repeat attendance is not expected are those relating to stage-specific assessments (the RD1 and RD2). Second and third year students and staff are also encouraged to attend the first year presentations. As you plan your research (and juggle jobs and family) keep Wednesday afternoons free so you can participate with the rest of the students this networking is a valuable part of your learning at MIRIAD. Vimeos of most sessions, together with support material, will be available at: www.parcnorthwest.miriadonline.info.

Photo credit: Ralph Mills

Overview of the Wednesday seminars and workshops 13:30 15:00 Unless specified the presenters are from Manchester School of Art.
2 Oct 9 Oct 16 Oct 23 Oct 30 Oct 6 Nov 13 Nov 20 Nov 27 Nov 4 Dec 11 Dec 18 Dec Overview of the Researcher Development Programme and Show and Tell - Jim Aulich, Myna Trustram and David Haley PARCNorthWest and the Annual Monitoring and Evaluation Jim Aulich and Myna Trustram Research Online David Jackson, Anna Frew and Ralph Mills Your research proposal: the RD1 Jim Aulich Structuring the early stages of your research David Jackson and Hannah Allan Reading and referencing (including MS Word & Endnote) Helen Bowman and Gavin McDonald The critical literature and practice review Philip Sykas and Alison Slater Research methods and methodologies a general introduction - Barbara Rawlings and Steve Dixon Student/Staff Forum All research students and staff Research ethics in art and design and the RD1 Ethics Form John Spencer Presenting your work (Part1) David Shirley The RD2 process Jim Aulich

Christmas / New Year Break

8 Jan 15 Jan 22 Jan 29 Jan 5 Feb 12 Feb 19 Feb 26 Feb 5 Mar 12 Mar 19 Mar 26 Mar 2 Apr Working with arts organisations at home and abroad Myna Trustram and Paul Scott Disseminating research through academic writing (including abstracts) - Amanda Ravetz Presenting your work (Part2) David Shirley Student presentations (F/T) Chaired by David Haley Student presentations (F/T) Chaired by David Haley Exhibition and project proposals Myna Trustram, Stephanie Boydell (MMU Special Collections) and Emma Anderson (The Atkinson, Southport) Publishing your research Emma Brennan (Manchester University Press) Preparing for your viva Magnus Quaife How conferences work Gavin MacDonald and David Haley Writing funding proposals Alnoor Mitha and Toby Heys Student presentations (P/T) Chaired by David Haley PARCNorthWest Event Generator Chaired by David Haley Student/Staff Forum All research students and staff

Details of the Wednesday seminars and workshops 13:30 15:00

2 Oct Overview of the Researcher Development Programme and Show and Tell - Jim Aulich, Myna Trustram and David Haley
This session provides an overview of the programme. Show and Tell is an opportunity for newly enrolled students to get to know your peers.

13 Nov The critical literature and practice review Philip Sykas and Alison Slater
The literature review is an essential part of the RD1 and RD2 stages. This session encourages critical engagement with existing literature and practice that underpins your current study. It will consider how a critical review of the practices of others contributes to your research.

9 Oct PARCNorthWest and the Annual Monitoring and Evaluation Jim Aulich and Myna Trustram
This session offers a brief introduction to the range of research training on offer in the wider research community, across networks in the region and nationally. It will also explain how your annual progress is recorded and evaluated within the Annual Monitoring and Evaluation (AME) exercise.

20 Nov Research methods and methodologies a general introduction - Barbara Rawlings and Steve Dixon 13:30 15:30pm
In the first part of this session you will be introduced to a range of ways to collect and analyse data. It will cover how to choose methods appropriate to your research questions, data collection and its analysis. The session will consider when to use qualitative and quantitative techniques, and how to ensure the evidence you present is robust. The second part of the session will focus on the specific methods and methodologies associated with practice-led research. The session as a whole (which will last for two hours rather than the usual hour and a half) will draw on examples from different art and design practices. It will enable you to consider which methods fit best with your research and how to tailor these methods to suit your research.

16 Oct Research Online David Jackson, Anna Frew and Ralph Mills
With the Internet and social media forming an increasingly central role in everyday life, this session will present some of the arguments why you should promote your research online and will highlight the ways you can develop your own research website. Specifically it will introduce you to Miriadonline the student-led in-house network for promoting research.

27 Nov Student/Staff Forum All research students and staff

The forum is open to all postgraduate students and their supervisors to discuss the programme. Please contact Adele Dunne (a.dunne@mmu.ac.uk) with any items you would like added to the agenda.

23 Oct Your research proposal: the RD1 - Jim Aulich

The RD1 form is the first important hurdle of your research degree. This session will outline what is required and the questions you need to consider to finalise your proposal for the RD1 form for submission in January (Year 1 F/T) or March (Year 1 P/T). Returning students who have already submitted their RD1 are not expected to attend this session.

4 Dec Research ethics in art and design and the RD1 Ethics Form - John Spencer
Research ethics are a vital part of your training as a researcher. In this session you will discuss ethical issues in art, design and media research. The session will also consider strategies for responding to ethical issues. All students are required to attend even if you do not foresee ethical issues in your current research.

30 Oct Structuring the early stages of your research David Jackson and Hannah Allan
Second and third year students will share their experiences of settling into research and making the most of training. It will offer practical advice in managing self-directed research. All returning students are encouraged to attend the discussion and share their experiences.

11 Dec Presenting your work (Part 1) - David Shirley

Everyone needs to communicate about their research. This session provides an introduction to verbal presentations which are a component in the RD1 and RD2 processes.

6 Nov Reading and referencing (including MS Word & Endnote) - Helen Bowman and Gavin McDonald
The volume of reading that comes with postgraduate study can seem daunting. In this session Helen Bowman, who works for Student Support in Art and Design, will discuss effective strategies for reading. The session is valuable for returning students to reassess the way they digest the literature in their subject area. Helen will also outline the acceptable forms of referencing an essential part of your academic writing. In the final part of the session, Gavin McDonald will introduce how MS Word and Endnote can be used as timesaving tools to manage referencing. 6

18 Dec The RD2 process - Jim Aulich

This session focuses on the RD2 process and form, the successful completion of which allows students to transfer their registration from MPhil to PhD. The process includes a presentation, viva, report and portfolio. Returning students who have already submitted their RD2 are not expected to attend this session.

Christmas / New Year Break

8 Jan Working with arts organisations at home and abroad Myna Trustram and Paul Scott 26 Feb Preparing for your viva Magnus Quaife
This session considers the different ways to prepare for your viva (the oral assessment of your thesis at the end of your research), as well as a more general workshop. The viva can vary dramatically from student to student, Magnus Quaife will offer reflections on his personal experience.

This session will cover the essential things you need to know and do in order to carry out a successful residency, project or placement with an arts organisation.

15 Jan Disseminating research through academic writing (including abstracts) - Amanda Ravetz
Academic writing can be daunting for many, particularly those from a more practice-based background, but it is an essential part of disseminating your research findings, through abstracts for proposals, exhibition catalogues, journal publications, book chapters and books (to name but a few). Discussions will cover the various forms of academic writing, the conventions that should be followed and will offer practical advice to assist researchers at all stages of study.

5 Mar How conferences work - Gavin MacDonald and David Haley

This session offers an introduction to conferences: what they are for, how they can assist your research and networking, how you find out about them, funding and possible resulting publications. It will cover both academic and non-academic conferences.

12 Mar Writing funding proposals - Alnoor Mitha and Toby Heys

This session will provide practical advice on writing funding applications, focusing on both academic and non-academic funding sources. It will assist students from all years of study to consider sources of funding for their current research and future research plans. This session may also be of particular interest to staff in the School of Art.

22 Jan Presenting your work (Part2) - David Shirley

This follow-up session from David Shirleys previous workshop, develops presentation techniques through group and individual participation, based on work prepared in the interim period. In addition to learning new presentation skills, these sessions are designed to promote confidence in live debate and conferences.

29 Jan Student presentations (F/T) - Chaired by David Haley

The first of two sessions where full time first year students will present their research findings to date. All students, supervisors and staff at MIRIAD are encouraged to attend this session to assist esearch dissemination across the department.

19 Mar Student presentations (P/T) - Chaired by David Haley

In this session part time first year students will present their research findings to date. All students, supervisors and staff at MIRIAD are encouraged to attend this session to assist research dissemination across the department.

5 Feb Student Presentations (F/T) - Chaired by David Haley

The second of two sessions where full time first year students will present their research findings to date. All students, supervisors and staff at MIRIAD are encouraged to attend this session to assist research dissemination across the department.

26 March PARCNorthWest Event Generator Chaired by David Haley

Details to be confirmed. Students are asked to keep this day free to participate in this event which will bring together students and staff from the institutions that form PARCNorthWest. For more details about PARCNorthWest see: parcnorthwest.miriadonline.info/parcnw-miriad/

12 Feb Exhibition and project proposals Myna Trustram, Stephanie Boydell (Special Collections at MMU) and Emma Anderson (The Atkinson, Southport)
What do museums and galleries want? This session will be a how-to workshop led by some of MIRIADs partner organisations. It will offer a broad perspective on the different types of exhibition and project proposals that can assist the wider dissemination of your work beyond traditional academic settings.

2 April Student/Staff Forum All research students and staff

The forum is open to all postgraduate students and their supervisors to discuss the programme. Please contact Adele Dunne (a.dunne@mmu.ac.uk) with any items you would like added to the agenda.

19 Feb Publishing your research - Emma Brennan (Manchester University Press)

This session will offer key insights from a commissioning editor at Manchester University Press, into how to publish your research findings with an academic publisher. It will consider the range of academic publishing formats, such as the monograph and edited book, and what publishers are looking for in publication proposals.

Skills development
Writing Matters: creative academic writing
Wednesdays 10.00 12.00. Starts 9 October Convenor: Dr Amanda Ravetz with Dr Myna Trustram

Residencies and projects with arts organisations

This strand is designed to help you understand the role of research in a wider context. You will develop skills for working in the public sphere to assist both your research and your future career. It will help you with such things as personal effectiveness, collaboration and public engagement. Students who take part in this strand are offered up to three tutorials with Myna Trustram to help with design and implementation. We have good contacts in regional arts organisations (including Castlefield Gallery; FACT Liverpool; The Atkinson, Southport; Cornerhouse; Peoples History Museum). We will help you approach these and any others you would like to work with. Some organisations will arrange a seminar to introduce students to their organisation. Details of this will be announced. Speak with Myna Trustram (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk) if you would like to pursue this possibility.

Writing is one of the most powerful ways we have of exploring ourselves and the world around us and of communicating these insights to others. These sessions are designed to help students become confident and creative writers of academic prose. The course has places for up to sixteen postgraduate research students and staff from Manchester School of Art and (by arrangement) other institutions within the PARCNorthWest consortium. Participants must commit to attend sessions regularly and must have completed term one* before attending term two and becoming part of the 2013-14 peer-led writing group (see below). In the first term we will focus on developing reading, thinking and writing strategies. Using a range of conventional and unconventional academic texts we will study the ways writers engage the thought of others and examine competing ideas in order to arrive at their own informed views. By looking at the ways writers develop academic arguments, participants will be able to understand and employ similar methods in their own writing. Course work will include drafting, revising, and editing short written assignments on participants own research topics. Regular writing outside class will be an essential requirement. The second term is aimed at supporting artists and designers to develop their own voices and creative approaches to academic writing. We will begin with the assumption that compelling academic inquiry and writing can emerge from what we already know, including our own creative practice. Our readings will range across memoirs, lyric essays, art reviews, short stories, journalism and academic articles. Course writings will consider the connections between personal narrative and academic research. These classes will effect a gradual transition from facilitation by the group leader(s) into the establishment of a student-run, peer-led, writing group for those who are interested in further developing their creative academic writing voices together. * or alternatively provide the convenor with writing examples demonstrating existing levels of competence in academic writing To join the course or to find out more about it, please contact Amanda Ravetz (a.ravetz@mmu.ac.uk). Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis. A waiting list will operate. Failure to attend regularly will result in places being re-allocated.

Student-led projects
MIRIADs students come with a wealth of experience in a professional or research field. Would you like to develop a project in an area of your expertise? This needs to be close to your field of research but the aim is to work with other students or staff and other organisations to achieve a research output. In the past students have led projects in digital arts and run research and exhibition projects at home and abroad If you have an idea you would like to pursue get in touch with Myna Trustram (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk).

Tacit a digital journal

Tacit is a digital journal and blog developed by MIRIAD students with an editorial board of students, staff and other professionals in the field of creative digital practice. Students can contribute to the content, design, production and editing. The journal interrogates emergent practice-led research, especially where it is enabled or informed by digital technologies. A particular interest is in work which uses the potential of digital publishing or the ways in which the digital changes the nature of arts research. Look at the journal here: http://www.tacitjournal.org/ Email David Jackson (dav1djackson@yahoo.com) or Hannah Allan (Hannah.e.allan@gmail.com) for more information.

Miriadoline workshops
At intervals during the first term workshops will be run on how to create and manage your personal website or blog. Contact Myna Trustram (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk) for details.

Photo credits: Sara Han, Vincent Walsh, Ralph Mills, Lokesh Ghai, Derek Trillo, Helen Smith

Research support for students

Research methods support officer, Dr Barbara Rawlings
Barbara Rawlings offers one-to-one tutorials to help you choose the most appropriate methods for your research. It does not matter which stage you have reached. Make an appointment on the signing sheet on the postgraduate notice board upstairs in the Righton building.

MMU Graduate School

MIRIAD is part of MMUs Graduate School which represents the universitys postgraduate research community of some 785 students and their supervisors. The Graduate School runs a generic training programme to provide research students across the University with the skills to help complete the programme effectively and to provide general and employment related skills. It supplements the specialist training appropriate to the subject area offered by research institutes like MIRIAD. Many of the Graduate School courses are designed for new research students and complement the induction process provided by faculties. The courses also provide students with the opportunity to meet other research students and academic and administrative staff from across the University. See The Graduate School website for information about the courses: www2.mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/researchdevelopment-workshops/

MIRIAD research associate, Dr Myna Trustram

Myna Trustram offers support independent of your supervisory team on any matter connected to your research - personal, professional, academic. This can include looking over RD1 and RD2 forms; funding and conference applications; helping you develop a research plan; putting you in touch with other students with similar issues; providing a non-supervisory opportunity to talk through new ideas or any difficulties. Email Myna (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk) or call in at room 1.11 upstairs in the Righton building.

The Writing Project at MMU

The Writing Project runs a ten-session course for any MMUenrolled student who would like to improve the way they write at university level, although its focus is not just on academic writing. You can contact the Writing Project on 0161 247 3800 or email writingproject@mmu.ac.uk. www.writingproject.mmu.ac.uk/

Student Support Ofcer, Helen Bowman

Helen Bowman is the Student Support Officer for the School of Art. She can provide advice on both pastoral and studyskills related issues such as: academic writing; referencing and avoiding plagiarism; applying critical thinking; managing your time; presentation skills. Helen provides a confidential service and can also advise about other services provided by the University, as appropriate. Email Helen (h.bowman@mmu.ac.uk) if you would like to discuss any of these in confidence.

English Language Services for International Students (ELSIS)

ELSIS provides free English classes and one-to-one tutorials for international students during the Autumn and Spring terms, and one-to-one individual writing consultations during the third term and summer. The focus is on the skills needed for good quality academic writing, listening, reading and speaking, as well as grammar instruction. Contact Daniel Peacock (0161 247 3945 or d.peacock@mmu.ac.uk) www2.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/languages/english/

Research Degrees Administrator: Art and Design, Adele Dunne

Adele Dunne will help you with all administrative processes of your degree such as regulations, registration, submission. a.dunne@mmu.ac.uk

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External training
Artsmethods at the University of Manchester
artsmethods@manchester is a programme of talks, workshops and events running throughout the academic year which explores approaches to arts research, research methods and the dissemination of arts and languages research at the University of Manchester and beyond. You can keep up-to-date with artsmethods by following their Twitter feed all events have the hashtag #artsmethodsmanc and regional events have the hashtag #artsmethodsNW. PhD researchers from across the North West including Manchester Metropolitan University can apply for a limited number of external places on each workshop by emailing artsmethods@manchester.ac.uk quoting their name, host institution and contact details. Places are offered on a first come first served basis and confirmation is given via email. For a list of up-to-date artsmethods workshops please visit www.artsmethods.manchester.ac.uk/events/. The events calendar can be found at the bottom of the menu at the left hand side.

Vitae
Vitae promotes the professional and career development of postgraduate researchers and research staff in higher education institutions. It is supported by Research Councils UK (RCUK), UK HE funding bodies and managed by CRAC: The Career Development Organisation and delivered in partnership with regional Hub host universities. Vitae runs a training programme and has developed The Researcher Development Framework which sets out the knowledge, behaviours and attributes of effective researchers. It is a reminder of the wide range of skills researchers need to develop and can be used to identify those that need developing. Vitaes website is full of advice about how to manage yourself and your research. See http://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers

Photo credits: Sue Blatherwick, Ralph Mills, Lucy Wright Back cover photo credits: Clinton Cahill, Ralph Mills, Lucy Wright

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