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Agile Learning Environments amid Disruption pp 173–188Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Implications of COVID-19 on Researcher Development: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities

Abstract

This chapter reflects on strategic decisions undertaken, challenges experienced, and outcomes achieved, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when delivering a centralised online programme of researcher development for postgraduate researchers (PGRs). This multi-viewpoint chapter explores the facilitators’ experience of delivering online workshops, PGRs participation, and the programme management’s experience of coordinating the activities. This study finds issues such as internet connectivity cause stress to PGRs and facilitators, the technical expertise of facilitators must be continuously developed, and highlight the need for a better understanding of online learning etiquette. Lastly, to improve practice it is important to account for socialising and well-being. This chapter also identifies other challenges with this delivery method and highlights the potential ways to maximise opportunities to enhance the overall PGR and staff experience.

Keywords

  • Higher Education
  • University
  • Postgraduate
  • Researcher
  • Online
  • COVID-19
  • Training
  • Development

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bournemouth University, Poole, UK

    Natalie Stewart, Martyn Polkinghorne & Camila Devis-Rozental

Authors
  1. Natalie Stewart
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  2. Martyn Polkinghorne
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  3. Camila Devis-Rozental
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martyn Polkinghorne .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, UK

    Md Golam Jamil

  2. Faculty of Health & Social Sciences, Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK

    Dawn A. Morley

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Stewart, N., Polkinghorne, M., Devis-Rozental, C. (2022). Implications of COVID-19 on Researcher Development: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities. In: Jamil, M.G., Morley, D.A. (eds) Agile Learning Environments amid Disruption. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92979-4_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92979-4_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-92978-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-92979-4

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

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