The Development programme for doctoral students lays the foundation for a long and sustainable working life in the academic community. The programme is designed for doctoral students at Umeå University and their supervisors, with both joint sessions and separate sessions.
The teaching consists of a combination of introductory lectures, seminars, and workshops where examples are taken from the doctoral students' own context.
The whole programme is provided in English.
Information for doctoral students
Content
Step 1: The doctoral student role and doctoral students' work environment targets doctoral students during the first half of the education, i.e. before the mid-seminar or licentiate seminar.
The aim of this step is to strengthen the doctoral students' ability to lead themselves and manage the requirements, expectations and potential challenges that the doctoral education entails.
Step 1 consists of four integrated seminars/themes with focus on:
- facing new conditions and demands
- accessing one's abilities and finding strategies to develop them
- balancing the doctoral education with private life
- facing and managing difficult situations.
The themes thus help to develop an understanding of the doctoral student's role in its context.
Expected outcomes
After having completed the first step of the programme, participants should
- have a basic understanding of the occasionally conflicting expectations and goals that the doctoral education entails
- have developed an understanding of stress management and the importance of balance and recovery
- have developed an ability to find a good work-life balance
- have developed their self-awareness and an ability to manage challenging situations.
Form of instruction
Step 1 consists of four three-hour sessions, i.e. 12 hours in total.
As part of the training, participants are expected to work with preparatory assignments and home assignments, partly in interaction with their supervisor.
Individuals with broad expertise in psychology and extensive experience of doctoral students' unique work environment and work conditions teach this module.
Schedule for the upcoming course offering
Seminar 1 for doctoral students: To face new conditions and demands
Date: Friday, 6 October, 2023
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
Seminar 2 for doctoral students: To access one's abilities and find strategies to develop them
Date: Thursday, 12 October, 2023
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
Seminar 3 for doctoral students: To balance the doctoral education with private life
Date: Friday, 20 October, 2023
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
Seminar 4 for doctoral students: To meet and manage difficult situations
Date: Thursday, 25 October, 2023
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
Information for supervisors
Content
For supervisors, Step 1 provides tools and practical advice to better support doctoral students and raise awareness regarding the regulations concerning doctoral students' work environment.
It consists of two integrated seminars/themes with focus on:
- leading without being a manager
- strengthening doctoral students' work environment.
In addition to the two seminars, supervisors are also together with their doctoral students expected to participate in a brief concluding reflection seminar.
Expected outcomes
After having completed Step 1, supervisors should have acquired tools and practical advice to better support their doctoral students in:
- managing the demands and expectations that the doctoral education entails
- preventing and managing stress and finding a good work-life balance
Supervisors should also have developed a basic understanding of:
- the University's work environment efforts
- the supervisors' role in ensuring a good organisational and social work environment for the doctoral students they work with.
Form of instruction
The teaching consists of a combination of introductory lectures and discussions. As part of the training, supervisors are expected to support and to some extent work with preparatory assignments and home assignments together with their doctoral students.
Individuals with broad expertise in psychology and extensive experience of doctoral students' unique work environment and work conditions teach this module.
Schedule for the upcoming course offering
Seminar 1 for supervisors: To lead without being a manager
Date: Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
Seminar 2 for supervisors: To strengthen the doctoral students' work environment
Date: Thursday, 19 October, 2023
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
Seminar 3 for supervisors: To meet and manage difficult situations (together with doctoral students)
Date: Thursday, 26 October, 2023
Time: 11:00 - 12:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
How to apply to the programme
You apply to the programme (step 1 or step 2) by filling in and sending the application form. The application form is available via the link below and in the menu to the left.
Please remember that a supervisor that participates with you needs to be informed about the committment before your application.
After your application you will receive an email with information about if you have been admitted or if you need to apply again for a later round.
Application for the Development programme for doctoral students
Application dates
Step 1: 30 August, 2023
Step 2: 20 January, 2023
Frequently asked questions
Who can participate?
As a doctoral student at Umeå University, you can apply to the programme if you get approval from one of your supervisors who also participate in the programme with you.
Why should I take the development programme for doctoral students?
The programme:
- strengthens doctoral students in leading themselves and coping with demands for performance
- supports the supervisors and clarifies their role in relation to the doctoral students
- clarifies the supervisors' responsibilities for the doctoral students' work environment
- provides the doctoral student and the supervisor with tools to handle tough situations that can arise in the doctoral education
- Increases the doctoral students' abilities to handle the role, which lays the foundation for a continued academic career after completed doctoral education.
What is the programme set up?
The programme is divided into two steps depending on how far into your doctoral education you have come.
Step 1: The doctoral student role and doctoral students' work environment is targeted at students who have not yet had their mid-seminar.
Step 2: From doctoral student to PhD is targeted to those who have had their mid-seminar.
All sessions are held in English.