Research Office

The University is home to a varied, vibrant and rapidly growing research community.

The Research Office provides central research support to that community, from our Postgraduate Researchers to our senior academics. We enable the delivery of impactful research.

The office supports all academic staff in the University to operationalise research strategy and school research plans. We also run a University Research Committee, Research Ethics Committee and all associated committees and groups for the REF 2021 submission.

To find out more about our plan to grow and support postgraduate researchers, download our Our Commitment to Postgraduate Research (PDF, 7.22MB).

Research grant application support

We offer intensive support to individuals and teams developing strategic research grant applications. We assist with: 

• Setting deadlines
• Liaising with internal departments and external partners (if applicable)
• Offering associated financial assistance.

We aim to maximise the applicant’s chances of success and ensure we only submit the highest quality bids. Post-award support is also provided from contracting to expenditure monitoring.

YSJ Research Funding Intranet page

Staff training and development

We recognise the development needs of staff vary depending on the stage of career and area of research. We are also aware that a key set of personal and professional skills underpin all successful research careers.

Our continuing professional development (CPD) programme is coordinated by the Research Office. It offers a range of development opportunities for our academic community.

Training is delivered by school research leads and our most experienced researchers. An overview of the 2020/21 CPD programme is available to download below.

Continuing Professional Development Programme (Research) 2020-21 (PDF, 2.5 MB)

Full session details and booking information for staff are on the Research Office intranet page.

Postgraduate researcher (PGR) Project Fund

As a doctoral PGR you can apply for funding of up to £500 (full time) or £250 (part time) for the current financial year from the PGR Project Fund for the following criteria:

• Fieldwork
• Specialist equipment
• Technical Training
• Participant incentives
• Research conferences
• Exceptional requests

All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Research Office.

You can apply here: PGR Project Fund application form

Prior to applying please familiarise yourself with the following document:

RO07 PGR Project Fund 2022-23 (PDF, 0.3MB)

Any purchases made without approval cannot be reimbursed.

Associated documents:

• RO08 - Payments to Participants (docx, 43.6 kB)
• PGR GTA Expense Claim Form (XLSX, 47.1 KB)
• PGR International Travel Authorisation (docx, 21.5 kB)
• Postgraduate Researcher Absence Request Form (Student Visa holders) (docx, 23kB)

Postgraduate research skills programme

We support the University's diverse research community by running training and development opportunities, events and conferences which are dedicated to Postgraduate Researchers. Our PGR Research Skills Programme offers a range of core and optional sessions focusing on:

• Academic skills
• Career development
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Publication
• Research ethics and integrity
• Methodologies, tools and techniques

Associated documents:

PGR Research Skills Programme 2022-23 (PDF, 1MB)

For more information and to view the calendar of events, visit the YSJ Academic Development Programme for Learning, Teaching and Research.

Undergraduate research support

The Research Office also supports undergraduate research by running the Students as Researchers scheme. This is a paid opportunity to work alongside staff supervisors on exciting and varied research projects.

Each year around 30 students work across approximately 25 staff projects. This includes networking events and a research showcase event towards the end of the academic year. Some participants in the scheme have their work published in respected academic journals and presented at external conferences as well as the Posters in Parliament exhibition.