Researcher

Development
Programme
2015 -2016

Contents
Introduction

Research training

The Wednesday seminars and workshops

Programme

Writing Matters:

Creative academic writing

Skills development

Projects with arts organisations

Student-led projects
MIRIADONLINE

Research support for students

MIRIAD research associate

Student support officer
MMU Cheshire
MMU Graduate School
MMU Graduate School Clinic

External training

10

NWCDTP
Arts Methods at the University of Manchester
Vitae

The Visual Resources Centre

The images in this brochure are taken from the collection of The Visual
Resources Centre at Manchester School of Art, which contains more than
300,000 photographic slides. The slides document a century of art, design
and media education and will soon be archived within the University
Librarys Special Collections. MIRIAD researchers have developed the
Adopt a Slide project in which people are invited to browse the archive,
pick a slide and respond to it.

To find out more go to:

www.pickaslide.wordpress.com

Introduction
The MIRIAD Researcher Development Programme at Manchester
School of Art is designed to give research degree students

The following members of staff in MIRIAD

the skills required to successfully manage their research.

have particular responsibilities for the

Supervisors, early career researchers and other MMU staff will

programme.

also find aspects of the programme of value.

Professor Jim Aulich

The programme is linked to PARCNorthWest, the region-wide

Head of MSA Research Degrees

Practice as Research Consortium, which is led by MIRIAD.

j.aulich@mmu.ac.uk

Postgraduate researchers play a key part in developing

PARCNorthWests programme. The consortium consists of the
following universities: Glyndr, Liverpool Hope, Liverpool John
Moores, Manchester Metropolitan, Bolton, Edgehill, Lancaster,
Salford, Chester, Cumbria, Central Lancashire and the Royal
Northern College of Music.

This brochure gives details of the four strands of the programme:

Research training
Skills development
Research support for students
External training

Dr Amanda Ravetz
Deputy Head of MSA Research Degrees
a.ravetz@mmu.ac.uk
Dr David Haley
Co - convenor research training
d.haley@mmu.ac.uk
Dr Myna Trustram: Skills development and
co - convenor research training
m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk

Research training
Wednesday seminars and workshops
The seminars, lectures and workshops

expected are those relating to stage-

address processes critical to successful

specific assessments (the RD1 and RD2).

research in art, media, design and

Second and third year students and staff

architecture. Led by specialists from

are encouraged to attend the research

disciplines within and outside the

presentations of the first years.

university, they examine many kinds of

research from traditional text-based to
practice-led and practice-based.

As you plan your research (and juggle

jobs, family and so on), keep Wednesday
afternoons free so you can participate

The sessions are integral to your studies

with the rest of the student cohort this

and attendance contributes to your

networking is a valuable part of your

Research Development Annual Review

learning at MIRIAD.

(RDAR). Repeat attendance is required

as you progress through the different
stages of your research. The only
sessions where repeat attendance is not

Vimeos of most sessions, together with

support material, will be available at:
http://vimeo.com/miriadonline/videos

13.30 15.00

Programme

In the open space

on the first floor of
the Righton building.

Unless specified the presenters are from

Manchester School of Art.
Oct Students show and tell
session will help you find out about other students
7 This
research. You are asked to bring an object and speak for

Dec Staff and student forum

forum is open to all research students and staff to
2 The
come together to discuss any issues you would like to raise.

Oct Towards the RD1

completion of the RD1 form enables you to
14 Successful
register for your degree. This session outlines what is

Dec Research ethics and the RD1 ethics form

ethics is a vital part of your training as a
9 Research
researcher. In this session you will discuss ethical issues

a few minutes about how its relevant to your research

proposal.
Jim Aulich, Myna Trustram

required and the questions you need to consider in order to

finalise your proposal for the form.
Jim Aulich

Oct The digital researcher

prevalence of digital technologies in everyday life
21 The
makes the Web a tool and medium that academics cannot
ignore. The session introduces relevant online research
networks, tools and services.
Lewis Sykes

Oct
28

Organising yourself in the early stages of your

research degree.

Nov
4

Artistic research

Current and recently completed students will share their

experiences of settling into the early stages of research
and making the most of training. They will offer practical
advice in self-directed research.
Sam Colling and Myna Trustram
This session is an introduction to artistic research methods
and the use of methods from social science.
Amanda Ravetz

Nov Practice-based and practice-led research

methodologies and methods
11

Following on from the previous weeks session, the session

asks how can artists and designers use their practice in
research? The presenters will discuss examples from their
own work and that of others, about how creative processes
contribute to research.
Toby Heys, Steve Dixon

Nov The critical literature and practice review

literature review is acrucialpart of the RD1 and RD2
18 The
stages. This session will encourage critical engagement
with the literature that underpins your study. It will also
consider how a critical review of the practices of others
canassist in refining your subject and approach.
Philip Sykas and David Haley

Nov Reading, and managing your references

session presents a range of perspectives on the
25 This
nature of reading and its role in research. There will also

be a practical element about how to manage your reading

references.
Sam Colling and Myna Trustram

Please contact Dan OConnor (adhlssresearchdegrees@

mmu.ac.uk) with items you would like to put on the agenda.
All staff and students welcome

in art, design and media and consider strategies for

dealing with them. Particular emphasis will be given to the
RD1 ethics form.
All research involves questions of ethics and all students
are required to attend.
John Spencer

Dec Making effective presentations (part 1)

communication of research to others is an essential
16 The
component of research. David Shirley is head of drama

at MMU. In this session he will provide an introduction

to verbal presentation. Following a brief introduction,
students will be invited to make a short presentation
after which feedback will be given. In addition to learning
new presentation skills, these sessions are designed to
promote confidence in live debate and at conferences.
David Shirley

Jan An introduction to Intellectual Copyright

and Open Source workshop
6

This workshop will feature a panel of experts and users

to debate the pros and cons of accessing, using and
protecting your data/information/property and that of others.
David Haley and panel

Jan Working with arts organisations

do you go about getting that elusive exhibition,
13 How
workshop or project with an arts organisation? This

session will introduce you to ways of working with arts

organisations things to do and things not to do. Emma
Anderson (Director of The Atkinson) has extensive
experience within the NW arts scene.
Myna Trustram and Emma Anderson

Jan Disseminating research through

academic writing
20

Academic writing is an essential part of disseminating your

research findings. Discussions will cover the various forms
of academic writing and the conventions that should be
followed. Practical advice will be offered to researchers at
all stages of study.
Amanda Ravetz

Jan Making effective presentations (part 2)

follow-up session from David Shirleys previous
27 This
workshop on 16 December will offer students further
opportunities to practise presentation skills.
David Shirley

Feb Student presentations (full-time)

first of two sessions where full-time, first-year students
3 The
present their research.
Note that these sessions are different from the sessions
on 16 December and 27 January with David Shirley which
focus on how you present your work. This session, and
subsequent ones on 10 February and 20 April, focus on
the content.
David Haley and Supervisory teams

Feb Student presentations (full-time)

second of two sessions where full-time, first-year students
10 The
present their research.
All students, supervisors and staff in the School of Art are
encouraged to attend this session as audience members,
to assist the dissemination of research across the School.
David Haley and Supervisory teams

Working with arts organisations and other

Feb sectors: project-based research in wider contexts

17 Once you begin a collaboration with an arts organisation,
how can you ensure it will go well? This session covers
some of the essential things you need to understand and
to do in order to work effectively with arts organisations.
Laura Guy and David Haley

Feb Publishing your research

Brennan is a commissioning editor at Manchester
24 Emma
University Press. This session will offer insights about
how to publish your research findings with an academic
publisher.
Emma Brennan, Senior Commissioning Editor: History,
Art History & Design, Manchester University Press

Mar Preparing for your viva

session considers the different ways you can prepare
2 This
for your viva. Sam and Lucy will offer reflections on their

recent personal experience. You are encouraged to attend

whether your viva is imminent or not.
Sam Colling and Lucy Wright

Mar How conferences work

session offers an introduction to conferences. What
9 This
are they for, how can they assist your research, how can
you find out about them, how can you fund attending
a conference? It will cover both academic and nonacademic conferences.
Gavin Macdonald and David Haley

Mar
16

Writing funding and research proposals

This session provides practical advice on how to write
funding applications, focusing on both academic and nonacademic funding sources.
Toby Heys and Alnoor Mitha

Apr How to get published in academic journals

do journals work, why publish your research in them?
6 How
Come along to this session and hear from an expert about
how academic journals can help you disseminate your
research.
Meredith Carroll ,Journals Manager, Manchester University Press

Apr Making effective presentations (part 3)

follow-up session from David Shirleys previous
13 This
workshops on 16 December and 27 January will offer

students further opportunities to practise presentation skills.

David Shirley

Apr Student presentations (part-time)

this session part-time, first- year students will present
20 In
their research findings to date.
All students, supervisors and staff in the School of Art are
encouraged to attend this session as audience members,
to assist the dissemination of research across the School.
David Haley and Supervisory teams

Apr The RD2 process

successful completion of the RD2 process allows
27 The
students to transfer their registration from MPhil to PhD.

The process includes a viva, presentation, report and

portfolio. The session will explain what is involved.
Returning students who have already submitted their RD2
are not expected to attend this session.
Jim Aulich

May PARC NW Event Generator

event will bring together students and staff from
4 This
the institutions that form PARCNorthWest. It will use the

event generator method to develop collaborative projects

between students.
For more details about PARCNorthWest see:
http://parcnorthwest.miriadonline.info/parcnw-miriad
David Haley

May Networking
penultimate session of the series will be an informal
11 The
look at networking. Some researchers say that the right
conversation with the right person at the right time has
been significant in the development of their research. Is
this due to luck or an understanding of the importance
of networking? The session will be relevant for both the
introvert and the extrovert networker.
David Haley, Yatie Noor and Vincent Welsh

May Student and staff forum

forum is open to all postgraduate students and staff to
18 The
discuss any issues you would like to raise. Please contact
Dan OConnor (adhlssresearchdegrees@mmu.ac.uk) with
items you would like to put on the agenda.
All research students and staff

Writing Matters:
Creative academic writing
Wednesdays 10.00 12.00. Starts 14 October
Convenors: Dr Amanda Ravetz and Dr Myna Trustram
This is a two - term course.
The autumn term (14 October 16 December 2015)
is taught by Dr Myna Trustram, the spring term (13
January 16 March 2016) by Dr Amanda Ravetz.

AIMS

To develop academic
writing skills in art
and design

Writing is one of the most powerful ways we have of exploring

ourselves and the world 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 are expected to attend all sessions. At the end of the
course they are encouraged to form a peer-led writing group (see
below).
Our approach will be exploratory, experiential and practice-based
rather than didactic. We will ask you to work closely with your
experience, to engage your senses and to draw on your practice
whether as an artist, curator, historian, theorist and so on.
We will look at ways of developing reading, thinking and writing
strategies. Using 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. You will be encouraged to develop your own
voices and creative approaches to academic writing. Course
writings will consider the connections between personal narrative
and academic research. Regular writing inside and outside class
is an essential requirement.
The classes will effect a gradual transition from facilitation by the

to support the
development of a
peer-led writing
group

to nurture individual
writing voices, both
academic and creative

Skills development
Projects with arts organisations
This strand of the researcher development programme is

MIRIADONLINE
http://news.miriadonline.info

designed to help you understand the role of research in a wider

news.miriadonline.info is a platform for activity of interest to

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. We can
help you approach these and any others you would like to work
with.
Speak with Myna Trustram (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk) if you
would like to pursue this possibility.

the MIRIAD research community. It also provides MIRIAD

researchers with a space to promote and disseminate their
research and practice.
MIRIADONLINE includes announcements, events, exhibition
news, publications and projects, talks and opinion pieces. It is a
hub that keeps abreast of staff and postgraduate research and
practice as well as the latest news in research in Art and Design.
The site also features profiles of current or recently completed
MIRIAD postgraduate researchers.
The MIRIADONLINE Tumblr blog http://miriadonline.
tumblr.com is a collation of local and regional calls for
papers, exhibitions, upcoming events, news, information

Student-led projects
MIRIADs students come with considerable experience in
professional, voluntary, artistic and research fields. Would you
like to develop a project in an area of your expertise? This
needs to be close to your field of research and to have the aim of
working with other students or staff and other organisations.
In the past students have led projects in digital arts and run
research and exhibition projects at home and abroad. In

and opportunities of interest to Manchester School of Art

postgraduates and staff.
MIRIADONLINE on Vimeo now features a collection of talks
from the Researcher Development Programme on various topics
designed to help guide students through their research:
https://vimeo.com/miriadonline
Similarly, useful handouts and MIRIAD documents can be found
on the MIRIAD Scribd page: www.scribd.com/MIRIADONLINE

2014 students ran the Landscapes of Identity symposium with

You can also stay up-to-date by following the MIRIADONLINE

influential speakers about the identity of Manchester, and the

Twitter account: @miriadonline

Common Senses series of events and discussions about the

commons.
If you have an idea you would like to pursue get in touch with

Online support

Myna Trustram (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk).

The Web 101 lunchtime workshop provides an informal

gathering for new and current PGRs interested in setting up their
own online research journals and practice blogs. One-to-one
workshops can also be arranged. For more info please contact:
adhlssresearchdegrees@mmu.ac.uk

Research support
for students
MIRIAD research associate Dr Myna Trustram

MMU Graduate School

Myna Trustram offers support, independent of your supervisory

MMUs Graduate School represents the Universitys postgraduate

team, on any matter connected to your research: professional,

research community of over 800 students and their supervisors.

academic or personal. This can include looking over RD1 and

The Graduate School runs a compulsory induction session and

RD2 forms; funding and conference applications; helping you

a generic training programme. These provide research students

develop a research plan; putting you in touch with other students

across the University with skills to help complete their research

with similar issues; providing a non-supervisory opportunity to talk

effectively and they also provide employability/transferable

through new ideas or any difficulties.

skills. The sessions are an important supplement to the subject

Email Myna (m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk) or call in at room 1.11

upstairs in the Righton building.

Student Support Officer Rochelle Morris

specialist training offered by 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

Rochelle Morris is the Student Support Officer for the School of

other research students and academic and administrative staff

Art. She can provide advice on both pastoral and study-skills

from across the University. The Graduate School supports an

such as: academic writing; referencing and avoiding plagiarism;

annual Postgraduate Research Conference, which is organised

applying critical thinking; managing your time; presentation skills.

by research student representatives from across the University.

Rochelle provides a confidential service and can also advise

about other services provided by the University. Do contact

The theme for the conference this year (5 November 2015) is

Innovation.

Rochelle if you would like to discuss any of these in confidence.

If you are interested in attending the conference, further

She is based in Chatham 201 and on 0161 247 1711

information can be found at: mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/

Rochelle.morris@mmu.ac.uk

events-conferences/postgraduate-research-conference-2015

MMU Cheshire

The Graduate School website provides further details about the

The Department of Contemporary Arts at MMUs Cheshire

campus has expertise in Practice as Research methodology,
which will be of interest to many MIRIAD students. The
Department runs an annual joint staff and PGR conference and
welcomes contributions from MIRIAD. In addition, there are
opportunities for postgraduate research students to be involved
in the Curating Knowledge project, run in collaboration with Axis
Arts Centre, and the Flare Festival in Manchester (http://www.
flarefestival.com). We will circulate information about these
events when they are confirmed.

workshop programme:
mmu.ac.uk/graduate-school/research-development-workshops

MMU Graduate School Clinic

There may be times in your research degree when things do not
go the way you planned; this is not unusual. If you are unable to
find a resolution to your problem through your Director of Studies,
supervisors or the Head of MSA Research Degrees, and would
like help away from these usual groups, you can arrange a
confidential meeting with staff from the Graduate School Clinic.
To arrange a meeting please contact Clare Holdcroft:
c.holdcroft@mmu.ac.uk / 0161 247 1062
The Graduate School Clinic is primarily for your immediate
academic concerns. You are also welcome to use the service
for other matters, although you may wish to use the Universitys
Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Service:
mmu.ac.uk/counselling/index.php

External training
North West Consortium Doctoral Training
Partnership (NWCDTP)

Artsmethods at the University of

Manchester

Manchester Metropolitan University is a member of the NWCDTP.

artsmethods@manchester is a programme of talks, workshops

It is led by University of Manchester and was awarded 14 million

and events running throughout the academic year which

in 2014 by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) to

explores approaches to arts research, research methods and the

train skilled researchers in arts and humanities.

dissemination of arts and languages research at the University

The other members of the partnership are the universities of

Manchester, Keele, Lancaster, Liverpool, Salford and the Royal
Northern College of Music. In addition it has eight non-academic
partners: BBC, FACT, Home, Tate Liverpool, Staffordshire
Archives, MOSI, Future Everything, Opera North.
They will award around 240 PhD studentships over a five year
period. Students are also offered placement opportunities and
additional skills training, working alongside partner organisations
including museums, galleries, cultural organisations and
businesses. The development of broader skills such as
partnership working, language skills and experience in working
outside academia is also encouraged. There is also joint
supervision of students, sharing of resources from across the

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 and quoting their name, host
institution and contact details. Places are offered on a firstcome, 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.

consortia, further activities such as student events, conferences

and the fostering of peer support networks.

10

Vitae
Vitae is the UK organisation that champions 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.
Vitae has developed The Researcher Development Framework
(RDF) 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. Vitaes website is full of advice
about how to manage yourself and your research.
See www.vitae.ac.uk/rdf
As a research student at MMU, you are provided with a free
subscription to the RDF Planner: http://rdfplanner.vitae.ac.uk/ You
will receive an invitation email before you can access the planner
with your log in details.
If you have any enquiries, please contact:
Maddie Hickman (m.hickman@mmu.ac.uk)

11

Research Degrees
Programme

To discuss any aspects of the work of MIRIAD please contact:

Prof Jim Aulich
j.aulich@mmu.ac.uk

Dr Myna Trustram
m.trustram@mmu.ac.uk

10987-KS

@miriadonline www.news.miriadonline.info

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