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Professional development training for academics and researchers to build their skills, confidence and careers.
Nature Masterclasses provides professional development training for researchers by drawing on the expertise of Nature Research journal editors and experts. UCL has access to their high-quality online training courses and resources on demand. Researchers benefit from access to 14 courses and any newly added courses launched on the platform.
Available courses:
Taught by expert academics and professionals, including Nature Research journal editors
• Getting an Academic Research Position
This course, consisting of 4 modules, has been created for researchers in the natural sciences looking to take their next career step, either as a new postdoc or in a new faculty role. By completing this course, you will understand how to find potential career opportunities that align with your personal attributes, desires, and goals and learn how to apply for positions in a way that will highlight your strongest attributes and most relevant qualities. In addition, this course will show you how to present yourself authentically and effectively during all stages of the interview process, giving you the best possible chance of success.
• Scientific Writing and Publishing
This 3-part course is delivered across 11 hours, split into 10-minute bitesize lessons which means you can dip in and out of modules at your convenience. The course is designed for both those who are new to publishing and those wishing to refresh their skills. Throughout the course you will develop your writing skills and confidence writing for journals, gain an understanding of the editorial process and what editors are looking for and learn best practices for submitting a paper and peer review.
• Narrative Tools for Researchers
This 3-module course is designed to enhance your communication to peers by exploring the use of narrative tools to tell your research story. The course helps you to understand the benefits of using narrative tools to communicate your research more effectively, and provides you with the skills to build a refined and compelling research story.
• Managing Research Data to Unlock its Full Potential
This course consists of 4 modules, with 4-5 hours of learning, all split into bitesize 15-minute lessons. It is designed to develop your data management skills and helps you to understand the benefits of using research data effectively. Throughout the duration of the course you will learn how to create and maintain a data management plan, explore best practices for organising and storing your data, and evaluate the different options for sharing research data.
• Effective Collaboration for Research
This course has been developed for researchers looking to participate in or set up and lead collaborative projects. Taught across 3 parts, with 8 hours of learning, this course helps you to understand the benefits and challenges of collaborative research. The course teaches you key collaborative skills, how to initiate and run successful collaboration and how to maximise your projects.
• Focus on Peer Review
This course is designed for those new to peer review or those looking to refresh their skills. Taught across 3-4 hours in 10-minute lessons, the course will help you to understand the importance and responsibilities of peer reviews. You will learn how to prepare a peer review reports and discuss ethics and innovations in peer review.
• Networking for Researchers
This course has been developed for researchers looking to improve their networking skills. Taught across 3 parts, with 4 hours of learning, this course helps you to understand how to build stronger relationships within the research community both online and in person. The course teaches you strategies for leveraging your network in order to advance your research or career.
• Persuasive Grant Writing
This course consists of 3 modules, with 3.5 hours of learning, all split into bitesize 15-minute lessons. It provides a deep-dive into how the application of storytelling principles can yield an advantage for you when writing grant applications. Throughout the duration of the course you will learn how to use narrative tools when writing your grant proposal to make it more informative and persuasive.
• Advancing your Scientific Presentations
The course is to provide you with practical skills to build a compelling slide deck and deliver a successful presentation of your findings, in person and virtually, to your peers. Throughout the course you will explore the strategies that can help to overcome challenges researchers commonly experience when creating and delivering oral presentations.
• Data Analysis: Planning and Preparation
This course introduces the essential elements of robust data analysis during research projects and why planning and preparing supports these. In this course you will discover how planning and preparing for data analysis will lead to effective analysis, benefitting your immediate research and ultimately your reputation and career.
• Data Analysis: Conducting and Troubleshooting
The course was developed in collaboration with 10 experts in data analysis including experienced statisticians and data scientists, journal editors and early career researchers. You will learn in 3 modules how to develop your data analysis skills, or mentor others through the process.
• Interpreting Scientific Results
The course was developed in collaboration with a team of 5 international experts in interpreting results, including a Nature Portfolio journal Editor and experienced researchers, statisticians and data scientists. Researchers learn in 12 online lessons how to interpret their scientific findings with more confidence, or mentor others through the process.
• Finding Funding Opportunities
The course was developed in collaboration with a team of 5 experts in obtaining research funding including a former program director at a major funder, experienced researchers, and a research management consultant. Researchers learn in 8 online lessons how to search, prioritise, and select funding opportunities that match their needs, or mentor others through the process.
• Experiments: From Idea to Design
The course was developed in collaboration with a team of 9 experts in experimental design including experienced researchers, Nature Journal Editors and award-winning specialists. Researchers learn in 4 online modules on how to develop their experimental design skills or mentor others through the process.
