Researcher development programme

The Researcher development programme (RPD) training brings together professional development activities for Open University research students and staff at all stages of their careers.

The Open University RPD programme offers training in:

  • Open, co-created, engaged and impactful research
  • Postdoctoral research supervisor training and development
  • Employability and career development
  • Research design and analysis
  • Research communication
  • Research project management

Researcher development programme 2025

CourseDateTimeTarget audienceFurther information and registration
Getting Published for Researchers: 'Getting journal publications: dealing with the editorial process'19 March 202514:00 - 15:00Early Career Researchers, Research Associates, Research Fellows and AcademicsVisit My Learning Centre
Research Integrity at the OU - The Virtuous Researcher/The Virtuous Institution!1 April 202510:00 - 12:30Research staff, Early Career AcademicsVisit My Learning Centre
Supevisor Development - regulations refresh and policy updates3 April 202510:00 - 11:30Experienced postgraduate research student supervisors, including Affiliated Research CentresVisit My My Learning Centre
Using NVivo for qualitative data analaysis  intermediate level28 and 29 April 202509:30 - 16:30 both daysAcademic staff and postgraduate studentsRegister via the NVivo booking form
Data Visualiation: using visualizations and infographics to report your work29 April 202510:00 - 11:30Academics, research staff, research students (EdD, PhD, MRes)Contact the Research Career Develoment team
Introduction to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for beginners (part 1)7 May 2025 09:30 - 13:30Academics, researchers, research staff and research studentsVisit My Learning Centre
Supervisr Development - regulations refresh and policy updates13 May 2025 14:00 - 15:30Experienced postgraduate research student supervisors, including Affliated Research CentresVisit My Learning Centre
Introduction to Statistical Package for the Social Sciences for beginners (part 2)14 May 2025 09:30 - 13:30Academics, researchers, research staff and research studentsVisit My Learning Centre
Using NVivo for qualitative data analysis - beginners (PGRs)19 May 202509:30 - 16:30Postgraduate studentsContact the Research Career Develoment team
Using NVivo for qualitative data analysis - beginners (PGRs)20 May 202509:30 - 16:30Postgraduate studentsContact the Research Career Develoment team
Supervisor forum - working with students with mental health and wellbeing challenges20 May 202510:30 - 12:00Research supervisors, professors, doctors, Affiliate Research CentresVisit My Learning Centre
Supervisor development: Experienced supervisor catch-up training21 May 202510:30 - 12:00Experienced research supervisorsVisit My Learning Centre
Questionnaires, surveys and methods to analyse quantitative and qualitative data28 May 2025

09:30 - 11:00 (part 1)

11:30 - 13:00 (part 2)

Academics, research staffVisit My Learning Centre
Reporting your findings: writing up educational research and scholarshipMay 202510:30 - 12:00 (tbc)Academics, research and academic-related staffContact the Research Career Develoment team
Accessing and using university data for research and scholarship11 June 202510:00 - 12:00 (tbc)Academic, research and academic-related staffContact the Research Career Develoment team
Reserach supervisor forum: The Thesis and the Viva - supporting students during the writing-up phase18 June 202510:00 - 11:30Research supervisors, professors, doctors, Affiliated Research CentresContact the Research Career Develoment team
Supervisor development: experienced supervisor catch-up training24 June 202510:00 11:30Experienced research supervisorsRegister via My Learning Centre
Research supervisor forum: Examining the Doctoral Thesis: The written and unwritten rules25 June 202510:00 - 11:30Research supervisors, professors, doctors, Affiliated Research CentresContact the Research Career Development team
Supervisor development: regulations refresh and policy updates10 September 202514:00 - 15:30Any member of staff at the OU who is actively engaged in supervising postgraduate research studentsRegister via My Learning Centre
Student route: admission and monitoring of iternational students17 September 202510:00 - 12:00This session is open to all supervisors and staff involved in operating Student Route visa processesRegister via My Learning Centre
Introduction to Research Degrees Supervision at The Open University24 and 25 September 202509:30 - 12:30 (both daysIf you are new to research degree supervision and are currently supervising or co-supervising a doctoral student or, if you have not yet supervised a student to completion, Open University policy requires you to undertake initial training within the first 6-12 months of beginning the role within the University. This includes experienced supervisors who are new to The Open University as well as newly qualified supervisors. This interactive training is offered twice a year and is highly rated by both new and experienced supervisors. 

You are expected to join both days to complete this training.		Register via My Learning Centre

Researcher development programme 2026

CourseDateTimeTarget audienceFurther information and registration
Student route: admission and monitoring of iternational students22 January 202610:00 - 12:00This session is open to all supervisors and staff involved in operating Student Route visa processesRegister via My Learning Centre