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Professional development for doctoral students

Build a strong set of skills to succeed in your doctorate and enhance your future career prospects.

Why professional development is important?

Not only is professional development an expectation as a researcher, it will also help you with your career development.


Accessing development opportunities

The Doctoral College can support you with your development. Doctoral researchers can book onto our workshops and events, access online resources and can sign up for development opportunities through _MyDoctoralDevelopment_.


Doctoral Festival of Ideas

Keynote speaker, Prof Turi King delivering talk at the Festival of Ideas 2024

Join us on 17th and 18th June 2025 for the Doctoral Festival of Ideas, open to all students and staff at the University of Bath, as well as the general public.

Coaching scheme for doctoral students

Members of the PGR coaching network

Find out if the Doctoral College's Coaching Service is right for you to support you with your own learning or address a specific research-related challenge.

The difference development makes

Find out why researchers are making time to develop their skills


Meet Ioannis

A picture of Ioannis Costas Batlle presenting at Science Show Off

Ioannis Costas Batlle, (PhD in Education) and now Lecturer in Education, reflects on the benefits of taking on different activities alongside doctoral study.

Meet Jon

Jon Chouler, Integrated PhD Sustainable Chemical Technologies

Jon Chouler, Phd researcher in the Department for Chemical Engineering, reflects on the all-round experience his PhD has given him so far.

Meet Elizabeth

Elizabeth Kaplunov, PhD researcher, Health Pyschology

Elizabeth Kaplunov, PhD Health Psychology researcher, reflects on the benefits of training and development.

Doctoral Development Team

  • Oli Schofield , Head of Doctoral Development and Experience
  • Fiona Alexander, Doctoral Training and Events Officer
  • Caitlin Naylor, Doctoral Research Culture and Development Officer
  • Taif Aljebory, Doctoral Development and Project Coordinator