10 Days Professional Development
Find out more about what counts towards your 10 days of professional development, getting permission to use them and how they work.
© Department of Psychiatry/Stuart GillespieThe Charter for the Career Development of Researchers lists the University's commitments to support researchers' career development and what researchers are responsible for.
One of these commitments is to 'provide opportunities, structured support, encouragement and time for researchers to engage in a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year'.
However, the 10 Days are available to both researchers and professional services staff, and on a pro rata basis for part-time staff.
What professional development activities can I undertake?
Unless specifically excluded by your funding body, you can use your 10 days of professional development for activities that contribute to progression in your chosen career. There is no prescriptive list of 'eligible' activities; instead professional development includes anything that enhances your skills and abilities to do your work. It may directly contribute to your current role or to your future career. Some examples of professional development for research staff include:
- Attending training, workshops, and courses
- Contributing to a working group or committee
- Taking on a leadership or supervision role
- Organising seminars or events
- Choosing to speak at or attend a conference
- Working on a funding application
- Learning from others through mentoring or networking events, or the Careers Service
- Workplace shadowing
- Participating in policy development, public engagement or knowledge exchange activities
- Writing up a paper from a previous research project.
Many of the examples above are also applicable for Professional Services Staff. Additional ideas for this group include:
- Learning a new skill or technique either via self-directed learning (e.g. reading, listening to podcasts, completing on line learning courses), working with a colleague or attending a course/workshop;
- Reflective learning – reviewing a situation you were involved with to identify what went well, not so well and opportunities for improvement;
- Using or being a 'critical friend' to help identify areas for improvement as above;
- Time spent either being or having a buddy (as a new starter) or mentor;
- Being part of a project in an area of work that is new to you;
- Work shadowing someone in a different role or area of the Department;
- Taking part in a professional network/community of practice either in Psychiatry, the Medical Sciences Division or beyond.
If you’re not sure if something you would like to undertake falls within this remit, please speak to your line manager in the first instance.
| Read examples of how members of staff have used their 10 days of professional development. |
Do conferences count?
Yes, they may be counted since conferences provide valuable experience and networking opportunities to help build your career. A few individuals may have funding terms that exclude the use of conference days - please check this with your line manager.
Do I need my line manager's agreement to take time for professional development?
Yes – discuss and agree professional development opportunities with your line manager, including its likely timings, to avoid disrupting planned work.
What do I do if I am finding it difficult to take professional development time?
If you need support or advice, please speak to your line manager or the HR team. There is also wider Psychiatry welfare support if appropriate.
Are the 10 days part of my annual leave?
No. Professional development is separate from your annual leave allowance and will provide paid work time for you to focus on professional development activities. Your 10 days' professional development per year are aligned to the University annual leave cycle (1st October – 30th September) and are pro-rata for part-time staff.
How does professional development link to my Professional Development Review (PDR) or Career Development Review (CDR)?
Professional development days allow you to take time out from your research/usual work to focus on your professional development, optimise your skill set and prepare your next steps. Your annual PDR (now live on Simitive) now includes a ‘career’ section that gives you the opportunity to reflect on and discuss your progress with your line manager. Should you wish to have your CDR discussion with someone other than your line manager, you can arrange this. We encourage everyone to take part with the PDR or CDR process.