Valuable Skills Development for Researchers

The Scheme

Researchers in Residence is an RCUK funded scheme that is supported by the Wellcome Trust. The scheme organises placements for early-stage career researchers (PhD and post doc) in host secondary schools and colleges. During the placements researchers bring their knowledge to bear through a range of activities including demonstrations, discussions, careers talks or university visits to inspire 11-19 year olds about their work.

Benefits

Researchers benefit from the opportunity to develop transferable skills in communication, project management and teamwork which can help further academic careers or build their CV. Experience as a Researcher in Residence also maximises the impact of their research through public engagement and many previous 'RinRs' have found that it makes the impact plan aspect of grant applications much easier to write.

Placements provide exposure to a varied audience and challenge researchers to view their research from a fresh perspective, which can potentially improve the research and its impact. All participants receive free, expert communication training prior to beginning a placement in order to develop project ideas and detail how to operate in a classroom environment.

Each placement lasts 14-24 hours of student contact time and is delivered alongside supportive classroom teachers.

Further details can be found at the link below:

Researchers in Residence (opens a new browser window)

RCUK has are trying to help raise awareness of the scheme and encourage PhD and early-stage post docs to visit the researchers in residence website and register as an RinR.

To help, RinR has developed a range of materials to promote the scheme among PhD students and post doctorate researchers.

Resources Available

• Podcasts - These audio soundbytes feature two placements. In one researchers re-enact a murder scene to cover genetics and in a second researcher, Geoff McBride, helps to run a cross-curricular after-school club where he encourages students to design structures based on the natural structures they studied using portable electron microscopes.
• RinR Leaflet - Contains general information about the scheme, benefits to all parties and details on how to apply.
• RinR Poster - Please use this poster on researcher notice boards to garner interest.
• RinR briefing document - Briefing document detailing the aims of the scheme, benefits to participants and how to apply.
• Researcher Profiles - These profiles showcase past placements and the benefits of becoming a researcher in residence. They provide first-hand accounts of researcher experiences and include details of what the placements involved and how researchers engaged students.

To apply or find out more call 0845 365 7470 or visit the website below:

www.researchersinresidence.ac.uk (opens a new browser window)