Development Needs Analysis

The Postgraduate Researcher Development Needs Analysis (PGR DNA) has been designed to support you, as a PGR student, in considering your experience and planning your skills development. Your skills development supports your progress through your doctorate in a structured way. 

Skills development is a continous process throughout your entire doctorate, and beyond. You aren't expected to begin your doctorate with all of the necessary skills in place, and you will need different skills at different times during your research career.  This document, used in collaboration with your supervisor, will help you identify where you are with your skills development throughout your doctorate, and decide how to progress in that skill area.

This allows you to assess your confidence across the Training and Development Pillars and, in turn, create an action plan for your development at different stages of your doctorate.

Access the Development Needs Analysis below

Queen Mary Doctoral College Development Needs Analysis [DOC 69KB]

All full-time doctoral students at Queen Mary are expected to take part in two weeks of transferable skills training activities per academic year (part-time students should complete a pro-rata rate of training as appropriate).

Suggested activities include attending and presenting at conferences, participating in or helping to organise journal clubs, writing groups and seminar series, and attending training courses or workshops. You can find a list of training and development activities offered by the Doctoral College on our Training Calendar page. 

Selection of appropriate development activities and courses should form part of your relationship with your supervisor and you should expect to discuss your development needs during your annual reviews.

Any training and development activities offered by the Doctoral College that you complete will automatically be added to your Skills Points System record. You can claim any other activities you take part in through the Skillls Points plug-in on the CPD Training System.