Developing an inclusive Team Research training and development package for a large research-intensive university 

Authors:  Ruth Norris, Charlotte Stockton-Powdrell, Karon Mee, Holly Fairburn-Barnes,  

Organisations:  The University of Manchester, UK 

The University of Manchester Teams Build Dreams programme delivers a suite of activities to promote and support collaborative, team based interdisciplinary ways of working to: 
- Increase awareness of Team Research principles and their value  
- Provide a suite of training and development activities 
- Develop a reputation for Team Research application and expertise 

In this poster we will focus on the process of designing and delivering a multi-modal, multi-channel training suite. 

Learnings from a pilot of in-person workshops with one faculty informed the content, format, and delivery model, to improve the offering by:  

-Recruitment of a Training Manager  
-Targeted communications  
-Module Development 
-Continuous Improvement: We use a developmental, iterative, learner feedback-centred approach to improvement. 
-Delivery Options: reviewed of our delivery platforms and modes, resulting in: 

i. A Self-led online learning platform 
ii. Content for six training modules for in-person workshops 
iii. Extended versions of all modules  
iv. Self-led Train-the-trainer module 
v. Commissionable bespoke training  
vi. Content for live online workshops   

The impact of this strategy is demonstrated in the increased reach and breadth: 
2023                 n=34         One faculty only 
2024/25         n=118        All faculties and central services 

We have found that driving parity and inclusiveness in attendance across different disciplines and faculties continues to be challenging; as does engaging senior academics. We are currently undertaking an evaluation led by a social scientist, and undertaking sustainability planning to inform future options. 

Website: https://www.pankhurst.manchester.ac.uk/research/team-research/