Secrets of Researcher Success 1
The Skill of Thinking
“Many highly intelligent people are poor thinkers. Many people of average intelligence are skilled thinkers. The power of the car is separate from the way the car is driven“. Edward de Bono
Three Components
Thinking is a practical skill that is seldom taught explicitly. These sessions cover 3 essential components: Creative, Constructive and Critical.
Research is about thinking – without thinking, there is no research. Your work is largely judged on the quality of your thinking. Yet “how to think” is rarely part of our formal studies.
Those facts together mean we can raise ourselves up several levels by studying the topic of “thinking” directly: the vocabulary, tools and approaches – and putting that learning into practice.
Company of Mind offer either a 1 day in person, or a set of 3 online workshops about “thinking” and the different ways we can approach it systematically to be more effective as researchers. The sessions will include a mixture of presentation and interaction.
They will look at the different kinds of thinking needed and practical tools for thinking rigorously, systematically and creatively. These sessions take a broad sweep in order to touch on approaches that will be valuable for your particular situation now, and in the future.
Session A – Creative Thinking: How to have original ideas
A requirement for the PhD qualification is to have original ideas – how do you do that? We cover systematic tools and techniques for coming up with ideas, together with an understanding of the mechanism of mind and perception which explain why they work.
Session B – Constructive Thinking: How to organise thinking
Clear thinking means a systematic approach. Yet we have few words even to describe thinking. Here we look at the kinds of thinking and how we can structure them as needed for a given time and task, when we need to.
Session C – Critical Thinking
PhD examiners are asked whether a thesis demonstrates adequate rigour (academic papers too). This is the topic of ‘critical thinking’, which is a skill you will be expected to have as someone with a Ph.D.
These 3 Sessions are offered as stand alone components online of 2.5 hours each for up to 50 delegates, or as a 1 day face to face event for up to 25 delegates.
Skill Development
This event is suitable for Postgraduate Researchers at any stage of their research, and offers the opportunity to gain skills across these domains:
- Knowledge and intellectual abilities: Cognitive Abilities, Creativity
- Personal effectiveness: Self Management
- Engagement, influence and impact: Working with others, Communication and dissemination.
“I just wanted to write and thank you and Sophie for the great workshop we had yesterday. We covered some fascinating material in a super engaging, friendly and productive way. I’ve not been to that many training seminars so far, but I find it hard to imagine someone topping you in terms of energy and provocativeness.” Peter Gerganov, Postgraduate, The University of Manchester
“After the workshop, I felt there was such a tremendous amount I could apply directly – in my research and my personal life. I also enjoyed the fact that aspects of the underlying psychology were interwoven in a way that actually enhanced the practical advice. Last, but not least, Dr West is a superbly engaging speaker and so I couldn’t help but enjoy what might otherwise have been quite an overwhelming session.”
Mo Rahman, Doctoral Researcher in Chemistry, The University of Manchester
