Vitae - Realising the Potential of Researchers

vitae logo Vitae is passionate about valuing and developing those who are directly contributing to research and knowledge. Vitae is the first national organisation to champion the professional and career development of both doctoral researchers and research staff.

Vitae’s vision is for the UK to be world-class in supporting the professional development of researchers and researcher careers and it works with higher education institutions and research institutes to provide specific support for doctoral researchers and research staff. Vitae also acts to champion the common needs and interests of all researchers.

Useful Guides

Vitae have issued a number of full length guides for researchers looking to go further in their researcher development:

Planning Your Doctorate

Planning Your Doctorate is your schedule for success. It combines a wall planner that you can use to set goals and record key milestones and achievements. It also features links to Vitae resources covering topics such as supervision and key relationships, managing yourself, developing as a researcher, raising your profile, and career management. More information here.

 planning doctorate

The Creative Researcher

Whilst research requires a balance between critical thinking and creativity, everyone can be (and is) creative. The Creative Researcher aims to define the nature of creativity – an essential first step in nurturing it – and to introduce some tools and techniques that can be applied in helping to develop a more creative approach to research.

 creative researcher

The Balanced Researcher

For most people research is just one of the things they do. It can be hard to fit in all the different demands on your time. So, is it possible to have some sort of balance or is this just the way it is if you want to be an effective researcher? The Balanced Researcher has tried and tested strategies you can use to help you keep a sense of balance and still be an effective researcher.

 balanced researcher

The Engaging Researcher

An engaging researcher is just like any other researcher – with one important difference: they will go out of their way to involve the public with their research. The Engaging Researcher highlights ways you can engage the public, offers tips for getting started and explores how public engagement can benefit you, your research and the public with whom you engage.

 engaging researcher

Advice and Guidance

Vitae have a range of online materials with advice and guidance covering each stage of the postgraduate researcher experience - from developing and managing yourself, to raising your profile, and developing your career. Read more here.

Events and Training

Vitae offer a range of national and regional courses and events as well as publicising other relevant events - highlighting other regional, national, and international events of interest aimed at promoting the personal, professional, and career development of researchers.

See details of events taking place.