Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP)

The Next Generation Research SuperVision Project (RSVP) aims to identify the characteristics of excellent supervision and how these can be reinforced in the long term. This four-year project is funded by Research England with £4.6 million and involves more than 50 research institutions and consortia, as well as ten renowned industry partners (including the BBC and Unilever) from the United Kingdom and around the world.

Based on empirical data, including a large-scale UK survey on research supervision, measures for the continuing professional development of supervisors are being designed and piloted in various institutions and contexts. These measures are intended to foster a positive supervision culture and develop supervisors who are well-trained and confident in providing optimal support to the next generation of researchers.

Münster CERes is the only German practitioner partner involved in the project. In close cooperation with the university and project partners, new interventions are being piloted and refined. The formats prioritise peer-to-peer learning and collaborative problem-solving for both new and experienced supervisors, and help to build networks and strengthen a supportive, professional supervisory culture.

European Doctoral Summer School

The European Doctoral Summer School was deliberately designed by the Universities of Münster (CERes, formerly known as the Graduate Centre), York (Building Research and Innovation Capacity Team (BRIC)) and Maastricht (Staff Career Centre) to maximise the opportunity for doctoral researchers from all disciplines at the three institutions to get to know each other and to engage in workshops where there were tangible outcomes for each participant. Facilitators provided provocation and opportunities to work together in groups and all participants were expected to arrive ready to think, contribute, challenge and work alongside peers.

• 2023

  Virtual European Doctoral Summer School took place from 19th until 23rd June, focusing on the theme of "Sustainability in Research, Career and Leadership". Recognising that there are limitations on resources – physical, geographic, cultural, social and economic, doctoral researchers were invited to come together to consider how they can build sustainability for their research, their career and their leadership. Sessions were designed to encourage participants to create pathways through the unknown and identify new ways of operating, inspired by the world around them. Click here for the 2023 Summer School Programme.

• 2022

  European Doctoral Summer School took place virtually from 20th until 23rd June and the theme was "Curriculum for Life? Unpacking the story of your (research) life." Participants worked together, collaboratively, across disciplines and institutions in an open and judgment free space to unpack their story so far and to re-calibrate and re-write their researcher narrative. They explored what it means to be an authentic researcher, strategies for developing resilience, how their values shape their work and ambitions, and what the ‘curriculum’ of their life might look like in five years’ time. Take a look at the 2022 Summer School Programme.

• 2021

  A new edition of the annual European Doctoral Summer School took place virtually from 14th until 17th June. Focussing on the positive lessons learnt from the pandemic, what we know is that now more than ever there is a need for researchers to communicate, collaborate, to be creative and to have the confidence and self-belief to proceed when plans and circumstances change. In this context, the theme for the 2021 European Doctoral Summer School was "Growth: personal, professional and in practice". Working with colleagues from different institutions, culture and values, the sessions enabled the participants to consider how to maximise their strengths, skills, career prospects and self confidence in the context of change. Click here for the 2021 Summer School Programme.

• 2020

  The 2020 European Doctoral Summer School took place online from 20th until 24th June. We aimed to give participants the opportunity to dip in and out of four training sessions from the comfort of their own home. The sessions were short, sharp and streamlined to help the participants to digest the content and have time to reflect on their learning. The programme had been designed to support the participants during the time of paradigmatic and social change. Taken as a package the programme provided an opportunity to develop and enhance presentation and communication skills, which are so important now that we are all holding meetings online. It considered the participants' skill set and how it appeals to employers and funders in this changing environment and supported their future career transitions by developing a CV.

• 2019

  The second European Doctoral Summer School took place from 8th until 11th July. The focus in 2019 was on developing skills of networking, communication and profile development with a view to presenting the best possible version of oneself to funders, employers and industry. We were very proud of fifteen participants, who approached pitching, career and entrepreneurship sessions with enormous enthusiasm and a strong sense of purpose. They were brilliant pitching their research in a 3MT style competition on the last day, with our Giulia Marchetti winning the Panel’s Choice Award with her persuasive yet humor-filled speech about "How microalgae can save us from the end of the world." Another real treat: all delegates met the Lord Mayor of York and Sheriff of York at the Mansion House!

• 2018

  The first European Doctoral Summer School, jointly run by the Universities of Maastricht, Münster and York, took place from 17th until 20th July in Münster, Germany. Fifteen engaged doctoral researchers had the opportunity to come together to develop their professional skills, share and exchange ideas, enjoy a vast cultural programme, and network. Münster facilitated team-building activities (CERes), a session on project and people management (CERes), and application strategy for the first funding proposal (SAFIR), while York led the careers session (BRIC). New friends were made and the foundation for the annual summer schools was laid! CERes is indebted to all involved people from three institutions, particularly to our International Office for supporting us financially with its Internationalisation Fund.

The summer school presented me with the opportunity of working with diverse people from different academic, social and geographic backgrounds. This made discussions very broad and rich as people contributed based on their unique experiences and enabled me to learn from other perspectives. This helped to build mutual respect among us. The contacts made will be lifelong.

My professional skills received a clear polish as being involved in this programme left me with good chance of managing individuals from different educational environment and training gave me a real sense of direction to what job do I really want to do and what exactly do I need equip myself with to sell myself effectively in the competitive job market around the globe.

Münster CERes, formerly known as the Münster University Graduate Centre, received funding from the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (AA) as part of the STIBET Doctoral Researchers Programme run by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). Announcements relating to the programme line are currently being paused by the DAAD. As part of the STIBET Doctoral Researchers Project, CERes was able to introduce structures and programmes – largely established today – to support international doctoral researchers and postdocs: a central person whom the target group can contact (project coordinator); advisory services relating to generic issues as well as to right of residence, medical insurance and more; welcoming events and English-language workshops, the InchbyInch community garden and the MünsterXchange network. The leisure activities and cultural events planned as part of the project cannot currently be put into practise without project funding.