Domain B: Personal Effectiveness
The second domain of the RDF consists of personal qualities (B1), self-management (B2) and professional and career development (B3).
Together, these sub-domains help to identify core knowledge, intellectual abilities, and techniques that will assist you in your postgraduate research and beyond.
Vitae have highlighted particular skills within the sub-domains that may be relevant including: enthusiasm, self-confidence and self-reflection (B1); preparation and prioritisation and time management (B2); continuing professional development (B3).
To learn more about the RDF domains, visit the Vitae website.
GRADskills offers a suite of workshops that are tailored specifically to postgraduate students and are organised according to each domain of the RDF.
In addition to these workshops, as a postgraduate you are entitled to participate in the Professional Skills Curriculum (PSC) which is a programme of workshops designed to build students’ employability skills. Particular skills within the RDF will be addressed in the PSC workshops.
Personal qualities (B1)
Within Personal Qualities (B1), the RDF highlights six key skills: Enthusiasm
- Perseverance
- Integrity
- Self-confidence
- Self-reflection
- Responsibility
If you are looking to develop in this area, you may consider some of the following workshops:
Influencing skills
- Influencing skills: How to handle challenging conversations to achieve your goals
Professional Skills Curriculum:
- PSC – Assertiveness skills
- PSC Resilience – An introduction to going with the flow
- PSC+ Resilience – Self Awareness
- PSC+ Resilience – Applications of the Beckhard Harris Change Equation
- PSC+ Resilience – Surfing the urge in creative conversations
- PSC+ Resilience – Difference and Resistance as drivers for innovation
A full list of workshops can be found in the GRADskills programme in PDMS.
Self-management (B2)
Within Self-management (B2), the RDF highlights five key skills: Preparation and prioritisation
- Commitment to research
- Time management
- Responsiveness to change
- Work-life balance
If you are looking to develop in this area, you may consider some of the following workshops:
Influencing skills:
- Influencing skills: How to handle challenging conversations to achieve your goals
Organisation and preparation:
- Getting and staying organised for success
- Positive habits for your doctorate: Managing your time and wellbeing
- Preparing for your Viva
Research management and supervision:
- Managing your research and working effectively with your supervisor
A full list of workshops can be found in the GRADskills programme in PDMS.
Professional and career development (B3)
Within Professional and Career Development (B3), the RDF highlights five key skills:
Preparation and prioritisation
- Commitment to research
- Time management
- Responsiveness to change
- Work-life balance
If you are looking to develop in this area, you may consider some of the following workshops:
Career development:
- CVs and job applications: getting onto the short list
- Interviewee skills: academic and competency based interview
Research portfolio:
- Build a research website in under three hours
Teaching:
- Assessment & academic misconduct: an introduction
- Teaching at St Andrews: an introduction
- Student services: supporting students and teachers
- Copyright for teaching and research
Viva and beyond:
- From PhD to postdoc: making the transition
- Finding funding during your PhD
- Fundraising for your postdoc
- Preparing for your Viva
A full list of workshops can be found in the GRADskills programme in PDMS.
To learn more about the other domains:
- Domain A: Knowledge and intellectual abilities
- Domain B: Personal effectiveness
- Domain C: Research knowledge and organisation
- Domain D: Engagement, influence and impact
Return to GRADskills’ RDF homepage