Neuroscience Ireland Publication competition

The competition is open to PhD students and post-docs who are 1st author on a new paper.

If you wish to enter, please send a PDF of the in-press/published paper to neuroscience.ireland@gmail.com with a cover letter explaining the importance of your research findings.

The deadline for submission of an article to the Jan 2012 call for the publication award is Jan 31st.

Creativity in the context of research Workshops facilitated by Dr Kevin Byron

Creativity in the context of research Workshops facilitated by Dr Kevin Byron

Creativity in the context of research 

Workshops facilitated by Dr Kevin Byron

Workshop 1

29^th November 2011, 9 am – 5 pm

Brookfield Health Sciences Complex (BHSC) Room 1.02

Open to all PhD students in year 2 and beyond

This workshop will explore the nature and nurture of creativity in the context of doing research. Attendees will be invited to identify a challenge they are facing in their research that needs some new thinking. After some familiarisation with a three stage creative problem solving framework, its associated tools and techniques will be applied to the challenges in order to find novel solutions. The workshop will be action based and will include a number of individual, paired and group exercises. 

To apply for a place on this workshop, PhD students should complete and submit the onlineapplication form.

Workshop 2

30^th November 2011, 9 am – 1 pm

Brookfield Health Sciences Complex (BHSC) Room 1.01

Open to all research and academic staff

This workshop will explore the nature and nurture of creativity in the context of doing research and the way in which research progresses. Some tools and techniques will be practiced that can enable a fresh look at research challenges with a view to finding new ideas and solutions. The workshop will include some group exercises for practicing the tools and techniques described. Topics include an Introduction to Creativity and Innovation, Better Brainstorming, the ‘Eureka’ enigma, Identifying and Re-shaping Challenges, Three ways to find Ideas, and Barriers to Creativity.

In order to book a place on this workshop, research staff should complete a course requisition form and email to Lorna McKeon at L.Mckeon@ucc.ie / Ext 3035.  Academic staff who plan to attend are asked to email Gretta.McCarthy@ucc.ie . 

About the presenter: Dr Kevin Byron

Kevin Byron received his PhD in Applied Physics from the University of Hull and pursued a career in commercial research in photonics for some twenty five years. During this time he was an honorary visiting lecturer at the University of Glasgow, a visiting fellow at the University of Salford, member of an EPSRC peer review college and elected to Fellowship of the Institute of Physics. Throughout his time in industry he developed a growing interest in education and creative skills development and the award of a NESTA fellowship in 2002 enabled him to pursue these interests as a free-lance trainer and consultant. He has presented his research in creativity at several international conferences in Italy, Canada, the USA, Qatar, South Africa and the UK. He is a co-author of the book 'The Alchemy of Innovation' and also authored two monographs on ‘Inventing and Problem-Solving’ and ‘Counter-intuition’ published by the Institute for Cultural Research. Last year he authored the Vitae booklet for PhD students -‘The Creative Researcher’ - and he has presented creative thinking workshops at a number of UK  Universities. Recent workshops include the Scottish Crucible and EPSRCs’ ‘Student Futures’ events. He is currently enterprise education coordinator at Queen Mary, University of London.

Winter programme of events for PhD students

Winter programme of events for PhD students 
Professor Alan L. Kelly recently  announced a programme of support events and workshops for doctoral students, to be rolled out over winter 2011/12.  sign up for any events which may be useful, and thank you to all those who have been involved.  In addition, a large number of postgraduate training modules are being run over the same period, and students should also be encouraged to keep an eye out for these and sign up for those which may be useful.

PhD Movie Night

7.00 p.m., 17^TH November 2011

Open to all PhD students

Movie Night- further details and to confirm your attendance 

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THE SUR VIVA L GUIDE - Viva Preparation Workshop

23^rd November 2011 – three hour afternoon workshop

Open to all doctoral students nearing their Viva

Survival Guide - further details and application form 

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Creativity in the context of doing research 

29^th November 2011 –full day workshop facilitated by Dr Kevin Byron
Open to all doctoral students in year 2 and beyond

Creativity in the context of doing research  - further details and application form

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Almost Ph inishe D workshop

25^th January 2012 - two hour morning workshop
Open to doctoral students within 6 – 9 months of submission of their thesis

Details to follow

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The Seven Secrets of Highly Successful Students 
2^nd February 2012 - three hour morning workshop facilitated by Hugh Kearns (Flinders University, Australia)
Open to all doctoral students in year 1 or 2 of their studies

Details to follow

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Turbocharge Your Writing 1


2^nd February 2012 - three hour afternoon workshop facilitated by Hugh Kearns
Open to all doctoral students in year 1 or 2 of their studies

Details to follow

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Turbocharge Your Writing 2

3^rd   February 2012 - two hour morning workshop facilitated by Hugh Kearns
Open to all doctoral students in year 3 and beyond.

Details to follow