{"id":2990,"date":"2025-07-23T09:03:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T09:03:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/doctoralresearcherdevelopmentprogramme\/?page_id=2990"},"modified":"2026-02-23T16:35:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T16:35:16","slug":"working-with-others","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/doctoralresearcherdevelopmentprogramme\/working-with-others\/","title":{"rendered":"Working With Others"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Research Culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 23 October 2025, 14:00-16:00, Online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Monday 11 May 2026, 14:00-16:00, Online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our researchers have a big role in helping create a sustainable university. Join the session on \u201c The UN Sustainable Development Goals and Your Research Impact\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This workshop aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.2 Strategic; 1.9 Responsible; 5.1 Research Culture<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Series<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 1: EDI and the Researcher<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

POSTPONED – New date to be confirmed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 2: EDI and your Research<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

POSTPONED – New date to be confirmed<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Session 3: EDI and Research Community<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

POSTPONED – New date to be confirmed<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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: \u2018How do we know what we know?\u2019<\/em> and \u2018Who decides what counts as knowledge?<\/em>\u2019, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This workshop series aligns with the Vitae Researcher Development Framework descriptors:
1.7 Reflexive; 1.9 Responsible; 5.1 Research Culture<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Team Working and Leadership<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Assertiveness and challenging conversations practice<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 06 November 2025, 10:00-17:00, In Person, Regent Street<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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You\u2019re with your supervisor who wants you to do something that you\u2019re not happy doing, you might not feel that it\u2019s your job to do it, you don\u2019t 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term \u2018Assertiveness\u2019 could be seen as pushy, un-empathetic, bossy, but it isn\u2019t. In order to be trusted and respected as an equal and professional, the art of assertiveness is a real \u2018golden ticket\u2019 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2018good\u2019 assertiveness and explore some tried and tested models that can be used as a framework for a difficult conversation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2018coach\u2019 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Working with Others in\u2026 (Essential Workshop)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with Others in Arts, Media and Communications<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Thursday 07 May 2026, 18:00-20:00, In Person, Harrow Campus<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Working with Others in Business<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday 28 April 2026, 10:00-12:00, In Person, Marylebone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Working with Others in Computer Science, Engineering and Life Sciences (STEMM)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday 13 May 2026, 14:00-17:00, Online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Working with Others in Social Sciences, Humanities and Architecture (SHAPE)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Monday 27 April 2026, 10:00-14:00, Online<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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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<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Supervision and People Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Getting the Most from Your Supervision<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday<\/strong> 12 November 2025, 10:30-12:00, In person, Regent Street.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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5th March 2026 – Postponed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Book in Inkpath<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through interactive discussions, real-world examples, and practical exercises, participants will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n