Working With Others
Research Culture
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Thursday 23 October 2025, 14:00-16:00, Online
Monday 11 May 2026, 14:00-16:00, Online
Here at the University of Westminster, we are committed to making a positive social, economic and environmental impact through our research. We do this by using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the United Nation as a blueprint to contribute towards building a sustainable future.
Our researchers have a big role in helping create a sustainable university. Join the session on “ The UN Sustainable Development Goals and Your Research Impact” to learn how you can contribute to the SDGs and our wider university commitments through your research during your time at the University of Westminster.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.2 Strategic; 1.9 Responsible; 5.1 Research Culture
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Series
A series of workshops that explore important considerations around equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) for doctoral researchers. The workshops build on one another, so we suggest attending all three sessions.
Session 1: EDI and the Researcher
Monday 02 February 2026, 11:00-13:00, Online
In this opening interactive session of three, we will examine how our backgrounds and life experiences influence who we are as researchers, the way we see ourselves and advocate for ourselves. We will also consider how policy, practice, power and institutional authority influence researcher equity and inclusion.
Session 2: EDI and your Research
Monday 09 February 2026, 11:00-13:00, Online
This workshop focuses on equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in relation to the practice of research, from research design to research outputs and engagement. We will critically explore how design choices and relationship dynamics impact ethical integrity, including working with and within diverse communities.
Session 3: EDI and Research Community
Monday 23 February 2026, 11:00-13:00, Online
The final workshop of the series invites participants to critically examine the structures and assumptions that shape academic knowledge and research culture. We will explore questions such as: ‘How do we know what we know?’ and ‘Who decides what counts as knowledge?’, considering approaches to decolonising research and reflecting on how change occurs within the academy. We will also discuss the role of doctoral researchers in striving for a more equitable academic environment, while acknowledging the likely challenges posed by internal and external influences impacting our future expectations.
This workshop series aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.7 Reflexive; 1.9 Responsible; 5.1 Research Culture
Team Working and Leadership
Assertiveness and challenging conversations practice
Thursday 06 November 2025, 10:00-17:00, In Person, Regent Street.
You’re with your supervisor who wants you to do something that you’re not happy doing, you might not feel that it’s your job to do it, you don’t know how to say no. If you say no, what will they think, how will it leave them viewing you, could you risk something for yourself by speaking up?
There are a variety of day-to-day challenges similar to the above that we encounter in academia, and for anybody (graduates or even those with years of experience), it can often be hard to know how to handle them. How do you influence, get the outcome you desire and still retain a trusted working relationship?… Assertiveness is one way.
The term ‘Assertiveness’ could be seen as pushy, un-empathetic, bossy, but it isn’t. In order to be trusted and respected as an equal and professional, the art of assertiveness is a real ‘golden ticket’ to authentic and great conversations. This interactive and participative course is run by two professional actor/coaches who will provide a realistic set of scenarios via skills practice (role-play and forum theatre), in order to bring the learning to life and allow participants to try out some of these skills in a safe environment. You will learn by watching, discussing and doing. It will touch upon the importance of Assertiveness in enabling you to express and explain yourself, deliver constructive criticism and to develop confidence.
This is an interactive, 1 day in-person workshop. In the workshop we play with some fun icebreakers to start with to ease us in, using some acting from the facilitators to portray types of traits and behaviours we may recognise. We look at all of the techniques and pitfalls to certain types of well-intended assertiveness. We explore the definition and what it looks and feels like in real life, and then we practice! We discuss the key ingredients of ‘good’ assertiveness and explore some tried and tested models that can be used as a framework for a difficult conversation.
Half of the workshop then sees two actors acting out three scripted scenes that exhibit the classic pitfalls of passive, aggressive and passive aggressive approaches to a challenging conversation. Learning by watching, discussing and interacting with the characters and asking them questions / giving them pointers. We then run a forum theatre scene where the students effectively ‘coach’ the protagonist to become more assertive in their conversation with the antagonist. We soon learn that it is about mutual respect, vulnerability and trust. If there’s time (and appetite) we end the day by giving doctoral researchers an opportunity to practice and/watch a bespoke conversation with an actor/coach.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.5 Collaborative; 5.2 Team Working; 5.3 Leadership; 5.4 Supervision and People Management
Working with Others in… (Essential Workshop)
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, doctoral researchers from the first year to the final year are welcome to attend and more than once.
Working with Others in Arts, Media and Communications
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, 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
Supervision and People Management
Getting the Most from Your Supervision
Wednesday 12 November 2025, 10:30-12:00, In person, Regent Street.
Thursday 05 March 2026, 11:00-12:30, Online.
Effective supervision plays a crucial role in the success of a PhD. This workshop is designed for Doctoral Researchers seeking to understand how to navigate the supervision process.
Through interactive discussions, real-world examples, and practical exercises, participants will:
- Learn the significance of clear supervision expectations in achieving research goals and milestones.
- Understand the dynamics of the student-supervisor relationship and how to effectively communicate expectations.
- Explore strategies for aligning personal research objectives with supervisor expectations and broader academic standards.
- Gain insights into the importance of proactive communication and feedback mechanisms in maintaining clarity and progress.
- Develop skills for managing expectations in the face of challenges and uncertainties inherent in doctoral research.
- Receive guidance on how to advocate for their own needs and responsibilities within the supervisory relationship.
By the end of the workshop, you will have the knowledge and tools to foster a productive and harmonious supervisory relationship, ensuring clarity, accountability, and progress throughout their academic journey.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.5 Collaborative; 1.6 Adaptable; 4.1 Communication; 5.4 Supervision and People Management
The Supervisor – Supervisee Relationship – An Intercultural Perspective
Thursday 16 October 2025, 16:00-18:00, Online
Thursday 05 February 2026, 16:00-18:00, Online
Given the multilingual and multicultural staff and student body at the University of Westminster, it is likely that your supervisory team is composed of academics that have studied and worked in a number of different cultural settings. You are probably familiar with one or more academic contexts and this familiarity is shaping your expectations of what your PhD will be like. In this workshop we will focus on the supervisor-supervisee relationship and explore how it is shaped by our previous academic and cultural experience. The workshop will analyse and help us reflect on:
- higher education as a cultural context, with a focus on the PhD process
- the institutional culture of higher education in the UK and of the University of Westminster, in particular culture and experience and how it shapes the expectations of the supervisory team and its individual members
- culture and educational culture shaping your expectations
- selected cultural aspects that influence the supervisor-supervisee relationship: hierarchy, ways of addressing, communication, time and deadlines, individual vs group/team, guidance styles and independence.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.5 Collaborative; 4.1 Communication; 5.1 Research Culture; 5.4 Supervision and People Management
Networking
Networks – Creating and Managing Effective Relationships For Your Research
Wednesday 19 November 2025, 10.30-12.30, In Person, Regent Street
Monday 30 March 2026, 15:00-17:00, Online
In this workshop, we will discuss how we can best network with our colleagues, peers, publishers, funders, as well as the beneficiaries of our research and the wider public. Networking is all about building valuable relationships that can sustain and support us in our research journey. We will use this workshop as a space for you to develop your own individualised plan around networking, a plan that is tailored to your goals, needs, skills, and resources.
Through structured reflection, both individually and as a group, we will help you identify the people and types of audiences you’d like to network with, as well as best practices for developing these relationships, from using social media and email, to striking up conversations in conferences, to presenting your research in a variety of venues, to building a public profile.
Please bring your laptop and, if you have time before the workshop, please reflect on your reasons for wanting to network more (or more effectively) and on the obstacles that you’re facing when doing so.
This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.1 Development Focused; 1.7 Reflexive; 4.1 Communication; 5.6 Networking
BHY Researchers Network
The BHY Researchers Network was set up by the Black History Year (BHY) Steering Group to specifically address the needs of Black academics at the University of Westminster. The Research Excellence Framework (REF) published a report on 13 July 2021 revealing that Black staff are significantly less likely than white staff to submit their research to the REF. Furthermore, they are less likely to become principal investigators or co-investigators, publish research in high-quality journals or obtain grants – all important for academic career development.
The network addresses this gap by supporting Black academics to develop research and grant writing skills through dedicated training sessions and writing retreats. If you would like to learn more, please contact blackhistoryyear@westminster.ac.uk
Networking Event for International Doctoral Researchers
Monday 24 November 2025, 11.00-13.00, In Person, Regent Street
This networking session, facilitated by the Graduate School, provides an opportunity for international doctoral researchers at the University of Westminster to connect, exchange experiences, and grow a supportive community.
Networking Event for Part-Time Doctoral Researchers
Term 2 date to be confirmed
This networking session, facilitated by the Graduate School, provides an opportunity for part-time doctoral researchers at the University of Westminster to connect, exchange experiences, and grow a supportive community.