14 Jan 2010 - National Research Skills award for Durham

Durham University have won a prestigious UK national award for its work in supporting young researchers. A part of Durham's submission included its provision of Epigeum's research skills online courses.

Dr Douglas Halliday (University of Durham), Dr Iain Cameron (Research Councils UK), Ann Mroz (Times Higher Education magazine)

Durham University are also one of the founding members of a group of 16 universities who helped fund and advise on the development of the online material – now in use with 50 universities in the UK and Ireland.

Representatives of the University's Graduate School were presented with the Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers award by the Times Higher Education magazine at its annual award ceremony in London.

This event is the "Oscars" of the education world and Durham beat off competition from other shortlisted universities including Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester, Nottingham and Oxford.

The award recognised the achievements of the Graduate School's research-skills training programme which aims to create an integrated community of post-graduate doctoral researchers in all academic disciplines.

The programme received a 94 per cent satisfaction rating from doctoral candidates in an internal survey of 1,500 students. The judges commented that the programme demonstrated "an impressive mix of innovative actions, generated by a real evidence base". They added: "It provides an inclusive approach that benefits all researchers."

Dr Douglas Halliday Dean of Durham University's Graduate School said: "This award is a very significant achievement, which demonstrates the strength of the programme at Durham. The online courses are also a significant part of our Research Training programme, and one of the ways that we can make the courses available to a wider research body; even those working remotely."

"Researchers from Durham will be well equipped to enter a wide range of future careers and make a significant contribution through the skills and experiences they have gained at the University."

The Graduate School Training Team consists of eight members of staff who provide generic and transferable skills training and support for all early-career researchers at Durham, including research students and research staff.

Dr Douglas Halliday is also Lead Advisor for Epigeum's Research Skills online courses.

Enquiries should be directed to:

David Babington-Smith
Managing Director
Epigeum Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)207 594 7365
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