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.
Step 2 for doctoral students
Content
Step 2: From doctoral student to PhD targets doctoral students during the second half of the education, i.e. after the mid-seminar or licentiate seminar.
The aim of this step is to provide doctoral students with tools to handle difficult situations that may arise in the doctoral education and increase the opportunities for a continued career after the doctoral education.
Step 2 consists of four integrated seminars/themes with focus on
- taking care of yourself and your abilities
- doing the right things the right way
- entering the final phase
- finishing one career step and starting the next.
The themes thus help to develop the doctoral students' awareness and ability to better manage the ups and downs of the doctoral education and contributes to the doctoral students' transition to a career after the doctoral education.
Expected outcomes
After having completed the second step of the programme, participants should:
- have a better understanding of the importance of setting boundaries and managing stress
- have developed strategies to work in a more efficient and effective way
- have developed self-awareness and ability to reflect on the conditions that affect their transition to the next career step.
- have developed an action plan for their continued career.
Form of instruction
Step 2 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: To take care of yourself and your abilities
Date: March 3, 2023
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Place: L211
Seminar 2: To do the right things and in the right way
Date: March 10, 2023
Time: 9:00 - 12:00
Place: L211
Seminar 3: To enter the final phase
Date: March 17, 2023
Time: 09:00 - 12:00
Place: L211
Seminar 4: To finish one career step and start the next
Date: March 24, 2023
Time: 9:00 - 12:00
Place: L211
Step 2 for supervisors
Content
For supervisors, Step2 provides tools and practical advice to increase the doctoral students' ability to handle difficult situations that may arise in the doctoral education and thus enable a continued career after the doctoral education.
It consists of two integrated seminars/themes with focus on
- upholding the doctoral students' balance
- supporting doctoral students in the final phase.
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 2, supervisors should have acquired tools and practical advice to:
- better support their doctoral students in difficult situations that may arise in the doctoral education
- better support their doctoral students to work in a more efficient and effective way
- increase the opportunities for doctoral students to manage their role as a researcher and thus enable a continued career after the doctoral education.
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 uphold the doctoral students' balance
Date: March 2, 2023
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
Seminar 2 for supervisors: To support doctoral students in the final phase
Date: March 20, 2023
Time: 13:00 - 15:00
Place: Universitetsklubben
Seminar 3 for supervisors: Follow-up and reflection
Date: March 24, 2023
Time: 11:00 - 12:00
Place: L211
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.