Equipping our researchers
One component of the Bridge is preparing our research community for life – and impact – beyond the college gates: in other research environments, business, policy-making, and practice. We aim to improve their understanding of the pathway from research into practice, helping them to build transferrable skills, providing exposure to a range of professional pathways and linking them with people whose skillsets and knowledge can drive their future success.
We provide a platform from which they can work towards their personal goals, as well as broader ambitions to become a force for good in the world.
The Impact Leadership Programme
The Impact Leadership Programme is designed to provide transferable skills and experiences to complement academic research training. It is open to all junior researchers (post docs and PhD students) at Hughes, whether they intend to pursue an academic research career in future or not. The Programme curriculum is relevant to researchers from different backgrounds interested in a variety of professional paths.
Within the Programme, self-development is not a concept but a practice. Participants are encouraged to reflect deeply about their paths, take ownership for change, and translate their learning into practices.
Programme Overview
The Programme builds up the understanding, exposure and experience of the participants in three ways.
- Learning concepts
Participants learn new ideas through a structured curriculum of self-directed learning. This self-study is complemented by workshops and facilitated group discussions to draw out the nuances and application of the learning.
- Building a network
Participants are exposed to different pathways to impact in professional life following a doctorate. Our network of practitioners in different fields share their journey and advice on applying the transferable skills of a researcher in different environments. Participants can pursue further mentoring opportunities with the practitioners to support their personal development.
- Applying concepts in practice
Participants are encouraged to put into practice what they have learnt. They are supported by a professional coach in a one-to-one session to explore and plan their personal growth journey. Participants can also join projects in Bridge Centres or at a partner organisation to build hands-on experience of translating research into impact.
Core learning curriculum
The learning curriculum develops your knowledge in three key areas:
- An effective professional – deliver impact as an individual performer
- Communication
- Creative thinking and problem-solving
- Work discipline and time management
- Motivation, initiative, resilience
- A team contributor and a team leader – multiply your impact through others
- Team dynamics
- Influencing and negotiation
- Managing change
- Leadership
- An architect of your career – identify your purpose and plan your path
- Know yourself
- Building your career
- World outside academic
- Managing your growth
To learn more
To find out more about the Programme, please email Dr Stephen Axford, Director of Strategy and the Bridge, in the first instance: bridge.director@hughes.cam.ac.uk.
