Doctoral Essentials
In addition to your induction, plan to attend the DRDP workshops identified as ‘essential‘: these cover core skills for your development as a researcher, preparation for key stages of the doctoral process and your Annual Performance Review (APR) alongside important information relating to the requirements of your PhD. The rest of the DRDP contains optional sessions to further your development as a researcher.
First Year Essential Workshops
Your Research at Westminster
Wednesday 28 January 2026, 10:30-15:30, In Person, UG02, Regent Street
This workshop will start to get you thinking about the kind of researcher you are. Are you goal oriented? What form of learning best suits you? How do you relate to others involved in your research? This will help you begin to answer these questions and will suggest active and productive strategies to make sure that your style as a researcher works for you.
It will also consider the activities which frame your research, but are crucial to its success, such as time management, academic writing and reading skills, networking (this is your opportunity to work with your peers from across the university), working with your supervisor, planning for the first 90 days of your doctoral degree, and much more!
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.1 Development Focused; 1.8 Motivated; 3.2 Project Management; 5.1 Research Culture
Introduction to the DRDP and The Ethical Researcher
Thursday 29 January 2026, 10:00-16:00, In-Person, UG02 Regent Street
Introduction to the DRDP (morning, 10:00-12:00, followed by Lunch)
With over 60 workshops on offer in the Doctoral Researcher Development Programme (DRDP), it is useful to plan ahead in terms of which ones to prioritise, and how to approach different ways of thinking around gaining new skills and knowledge – these are all issues covered at the session. We will explore the field of research development, address any questions about the DRDP workshops and help to clarify the distinction between the workshops offered by the Graduate School and the discipline specific ones organised by the individual schools. Open to all new doctoral researchers, this workshop will also be a way to meet doctoral researchers from other disciplines as well as a way to make new friends!
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.1 Development Focused; 1.2 Strategic; 1.3 Organised
The Ethical Researcher (afternoon, 13:00-16:00),
All research involves important but sometimes complex engagements with other people – colleagues, supervisors, participants, interviewees, and so on. Primarily for new doctoral researchers, The Ethical Researcher covers the ways research demands ethical and responsible behaviours. It covers the university’s ethical approval processes, researcher safety, responsibility toward research participants and the secure handling of data. Discussion focuses on a series of scenarios and case studies and is always lively!
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.7 Reflexive; 1.9 Reponsible; 3.3 Risk Management; 3.5 Research Integrity and Ethics
Starting Out as a Researcher in…
Beginning your research will involve different questions and activities depending on the nature of your work and the disciplinary area or areas you are working within. These workshops, delivered by your DRDP School Coordinators, will cover questions of research skills and methods, time planning, ethics and communication strategies from your discipline perspective. If your work is interdisciplinary, it may be useful to attend more than one workshop. This workshop will also be repeated for January starters, times tbc.
Starting Out as a Researcher in Arts
Monday 29 September 2025, 10:00-13:00, In Person, Room J1.01, J Block, Harrow Campus
Starting Out as a Researcher in Media and Communication
Tuesday 23 September 2025, 14:00-17:00, In Person, Room J1.01, J Block, Harrow Campus
Starting Out as a Researcher in Business
Tuesday 20 January 2026, 13:00-17:00, In Person, M113, Marylebone
Starting Out as a Researcher in Computer Science, Engineering and Life Sciences (STEMM)
Day 1: Wednesday 21 January 2026, 14:00-17:00, In Person, Room TBC, New Cavendish Street
Day 2: Thursday 22 January 2026, 14:00-17:00, In Person, C105, New Cavendish Street
Starting Out as a Researcher in Social Sciences, Law, Humanities and Architecture (SHAPE)
Day 1: Wednesday 21 January 2026, 10:00-14:00, In Person, 4.33, Little Titchfield Street
Day 2: Thursday 22 January 2026, 10:00-13:00, In Person, 4.33, Little Titchfield Street
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.1 Development Focused; 2.2 Research Methods; 4.1 Communication; 5.1 Research Culture
Preparing for Annual Progress Reviews (APRs) in…
Your progress through your degree will be assessed each year (or every other year if you are part-time) through the Annual Progress Review. Preparing for this can be daunting, so this workshop is designed to take the mystery out of the process. Each workshop will explain how the APRs work in specific disciplinary areas and give you the information you need to approach your next APR with confidence.
Preparing for Annual Progress Reviews in Arts, Media and Communication
Wednesday 18 March 2026, 17:00-19:00, Online.
Preparing for Annual Progress Reviews in Business
Tuesday 17 March 2026, 10:00-12:00, In Person, Marylebone
Preparing for Annual Progress Reviews in Computer Science, Engineering and Life Sciences (STEMM)
Wednesday 18 March 2026, 14:00-17:00, In Person, New Cavendish Street
Preparing for Annual Progress Reviews in Social Sciences, Law, Humanities and Architecture (SHAPE)
Wednesday 18 March 2026, 10:00-13:00, In Person, Little Titchfield Street.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.1 Development Focused; 1.2 Strategic; 1.3 Organised; 3.2 Project Management
Further Essential Workshops – To Attend During Your Doctoral Studies
Ethics in…
School DRDP workshop focusing on your ethics and ethics applications for your doctoral research.
Ethics in Arts, Media and Communication
- Time TBC
Ethics in Business School
Wednesday 04 March 2026, 14:00-16:00, In Person, Marylebone
Ethics in Social Sciences, Law, Humanities and Architecture (SHAPE)
Wednesday 12 November, 15:00-17:00, In Person, Little Titchfield Street
Ethics in Computer Science, Engineering and Life Sciences (STEMM)
time and link to be added soon
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.7 Reflexive; 1.9 Reponsible; 3.3 Risk Management; 3.5 Research Integrity and Ethics
Communicating and Disseminating your Research in…
Expectations around the communication of research vary from discipline to discipline. The following workshops consider the particular strategies and methods for clear and successful communication of research findings appropriate to specific disciplinary areas. These will cover, for example, the delivery of conference papers, the use of social media, and public engagement. This workshop is suitable for any stage of your doctoral studies. For those whose work is interdisciplinary, it may be useful to attend more than one workshop.
This workshop is recommended for mid-stage doctoral researchers. However, those from the first year to the final year are welcome to attend and more than once.
Communicating and Disseminating your Research in Arts, Media and Communication
Wednesday 04 March, 17:00-19:00, Hybrid: Regent Street and online
Communicating and Disseminating your Research in Business
Tuesday 17 February 2026, 13:00-17:00, In Person, Marylebone.
Communicating and Disseminating your Research in Computer Science, Engineering and Life Sciences (STEMM)
Wednesday 18 February 2026, 14:00-17:00, In Person, New Cavendish Street
Communicating and Disseminating your Research in Social Sciences, Law, Humanities and Architecture (SHAPE)
Wednesday 18 February 2026, 10:00-13:00, In Person, Little Titchfield Street
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
4.1 Communication; 4.2 Research Outputs; 4.3 Knowledge Exchange and Public Engagement; 4.4 Research Translation and Commercialisation
Working with Others in…
All research involves working with others, whether that means thinking about what our reader needs when we are writing, engaging in discussion with supervisors and with others in our field, or joining with others to turn ideas into funding proposals or entrepreneurial schemes. This workshop will give you the opportunity to think about how best to work with others through your doctoral studies and beyond.
This workshop is recommended for mid-stage doctoral researchers. However, those from the first year to the final year are welcome to attend and more than once.
Working with Others in Arts, Media and Communication
Thursday 07 May 2026, 18:00-20:00, In Person, Harrow Campus
Working with Others in Business
Tuesday 28 April 2026, 10:00-12:00, In Person, Marylebone
Working with Others in Computer Science, Engineering and Life Sciences (STEMM)
Wednesday 13 May 2026, 14:00-17:00, Online.
Working with Others in Social Sciences, Law, Humanities and Architecture (SHAPE)
Monday 27 April 2026, 10:00-14:00, Online.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.5 Collaborative; 5.1 Research Culture; 5.4 Supervision and People Management; 5.6 Networking
Preparing For Your APR2
Thursday 26 February 2026, 14:00-15:30, Online
The second Annual Progress Review (APR2) is a key milestone in your doctoral journey. Successfully passing this stage marks your formal transition from MPhil to PhD status. This workshop will help you approach it with clarity and confidence.
The session outlines the core elements of APR2, including the written submission and the viva voce examination. It will then consider how to prepare for the viva and explore what ‘defending’ your research to date might entail. It will also share insights into common dos and don’ts to help you navigate the viva successfully.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.2 Strategic; 1.6 Adaptable; 2.6 Creativity and Innovation; 4.1 Communication
Preparing for your APR2 in Business
Tuesday 07 October 2025, 14:00-16:00, Online
Getting Ready For Your Final Viva
Thursday 16th October 2025, 14:00-15:30, Online
Friday 27th February 2026, 10:00-11:30, Online
This session helps you to prepare for the culmination of your doctoral studies – the viva voce exam. You will learn about the process in the months leading up to the viva, from the appointment of your examiners to how to submit your thesis. We discuss how you can prepare for the exam itself and what to expect on the day, including practical advice on what and what not to do. We also talk about possible outcomes and what happens next.
Full-time study mode: you may choose to attend Getting Ready for the Viva in your third year of study, too.
Part-time study mode: you are registered for a minimum of 45 and a maximum of 96 months. You may therefore attend this briefing in your fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth year depending on your progress.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.2 Strategic; 1.6 Adaptable; 2.6 Creativity and Innovation; 4.1 Communication
Finalising Your Thesis: Preparing for Submission in…
Getting towards the end of your doctorate is an exciting time, but it can also be daunting. This workshop will give you all the information you need in order to stay calm. It focuses on two aspects of completion: the writing process and the submission process. The writing process will cover aspects of thesis format, style and contents, including the relationship between research and writing. The submission process will cover such aspects as responsibilities; timely completion; the timetable to completion; support for submission; the administrative processes; and application for thesis examination arrangements.
Full-time study mode: you may choose to attend Finalising Your Thesis in your third year of study, too.
Part-time study mode: you are registered for a minimum of 45 and a maximum of 96 months. You may therefore attend this briefing in your fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth year depending on your progress.
Finalising Your Thesis: Preparing for Submission in Arts, Media and Communication
Thursday 28 May 2026, 14:00-16:00, In Person, Regent Street.
Finalising Your Thesis: Preparing for Submission in Business
Tuesday 26 May 2026, 10:00-12:00, Online.
Finalising Your Thesis: Preparing for Submission in Computer Science, Engineering and Life Sciences
Wednesday 27 May 2026, 10:00-12:00, Online.
Finalising Your Thesis: Preparing for Submission in Social Sciences, Law, Humanities and Architecture (SHAPE)
Thursday 28 May 2026, 10:00-12:00, Online.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.2 Strategic, 1.3 Organised, 3.2 Project Management; 4.1 Communication