Welcome to Personal and Professional Development
To see what events, workshops and seminars are available click on a section below and follow the links to the University Training Booking System for more information and to book a place.
Key:
Face-to-face delivery 
Online course 
Blended course
Academic practice: Teaching, research and administration
Workshops, seminars and briefings addressing some of the fundamental responsibilities of academic life at Cambridge are included in our open programme. Some of these may be adapted and delivered within Departments / Faculties, on request. Find out more about further opportunities and materials for academics, for research staff and for research students by following the links to the right of this screen.
- Admissions Selection
- Direction of Studies: Support for New Appointees
- Higher Education Academy: Briefing
- Lecturing: An Introduction (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences)
- Lecturing: An Introduction (Sciences)
- Lecturing Performance
- Mental Health: Boundaries and Boomerangs
- Pathways in Higher Education Practice (PHEP)
- Specific Learning Difficulties (Such as Dyslexia): What Administrators Need to Know
- Student Support Documents in Practice
- Supervising Graduate Students (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences)
- Supervising Graduate Students (Science and Technology)
- Supervising and Small Group Teaching
- Supervising Undergraduates: An Introduction
- Supervising Undergraduates More Effectively
- Teaching Students with Asperger's Syndrome: Briefing
- Teaching Students with Specific Learning Difficulties (such as dyslexia): Briefing
- Tutoring: Support for New Appointees
Leadership and management development
There are a wide range of courses available for all levels of leader and manager, including existing and aspiring heads of departments, team leaders and others with responsibility for people, projects and/or resources.
- Administrators' Development Programme
- Assertiveness in Management
-
Communicating Assertively
- Conflict Resolution
- Leadership Masterclasses
- Level 3 Award in First Line Management
- Level 5 Award in Management
- Libraries: Making Them Accessible to Disabled People
- Managing and Developing Effective Teams
- Managing Staff Performance: Introduction
- Managing Staff Performance: Disciplinary and Grievance Resolution
- Project Management
- Staff Review and Development for Reviewers
- Stress: A Manager's Responsibility
- Why Sexual Orientation is a Workplace Issue
Orientation
These resources and courses are to help new staff settle in to the University.
- Equality and Diversity Essentials
- Fire Safety Awareness
- Health and Safety Induction
- Induction
- Welcome Event
In addition there are local induction and other targeted events that you may be able to get involved in.
Personal development
Programmes to support your personal development - managing your time, developing your career, dealing with stress - are all available.
- Develop your Career: Interview Techniques
- Dignity at Work: A Guide for All Staff
- Email Management: Online
- Navigator: A Personal Development Programme for Men
- Retirement
- Springboard: A Women's Development Programme
- Stress, Relaxation and Coping
- The Counselling Service: Mindfulness Workshop
- Time Management: Online
Policies, procedures and legislation
A range of training events and workshops are available to provide staff with up to date information and practical advice on topics such as data protection and employment legislation as well as key University policies and procedures, for example staff development and review.
- Data Protection and Freedom of Information: An Introduction
- Data Protection Training for Academic Staff
- Data Protection Training for Administrators
- Dignity at Work: A Guide for All Staff
- Dignity at Work: Preventing and Managing Bullying and Harrassment Complaints
- Equality and Diversity
- Equality and Diversity Essentials
- Equality Assurance Assessment Briefing
- Managing Staff Performance: Disciplinary and Grievance Resolution
- Recruitment and Selection skills
- Specific Learning Disabilities: What Administrators Need to Know
- Staff Review and Development for Reviewees
- Staff Review and Development for Reviewers
Presentation and communication
Whether you want to improve the way you communicate with others on a one to one basis or learn how to give effective presentations, there are courses available for you.
- A Practical Introduction to the University Brand Guidelines
- Communication Skills: Introduction - Are you Receiving Me?
- Communication Skills: Advanced - Was it Something I Said?
- Disabled People: Offering a Good Face to Face Service
- Introduction to Sign Language
- Key Skills in Listening to, Communicating with and Supporting Individuals
- Media Interviews: Making the Most of Them
-
Minute Taking
- Presentation Skills: An Introduction
- Voice and Presentation: One to One
- Voice and Pronunciation for Non-native English Speakers
- Voice Projection: An Introduction
Researcher development programme
Details of teaching and professional development for researchers can be found by following the links to the right on this page.
Vocational Qualifications
For information on the range of initiatives available for assistant and support staff who want to increase their vocational skills and gain a qualification, including CareerStart@cam, the Vocation Training Fund and the Employee Development Initiative, follow the link.
We offer a number of programmes which address priorities of particular groups of staff and research students, or of those at particular stages of their careers at Cambridge:
Heads of Institution Programme
This leadership programme explores the complex leadership skills required by Heads of Institutions in carrying out their roles. It now forms an important part of the University's leadership and management development strategy, and is particularly useful for new or more recently appointed Heads of Institution.
It addresses the following topics:
- Head of Institution as Leader
- Personal Leadership
- Setting Strategy and Leading Change
- Leading Others
Pathways in Higher Education Practice (PHEP)
PHEP (Pathways in Higher education Practice) forms part of the probationary arrangements for University Lecturers and complements Faculty and Departmental induction and development.
For more information about PHEP and how it can help you settle in and support you throughout your probation, follow the link.
Researcher Development Programme
Follow this link for details of a range of courses and workshops available to research staff and research students.
Administrators' Development Programme
This programme is intended for administrative and other officers who have been in post for one to five years or who are experienced administrators in another context. It is for those whose primary role is administrative, whether they are specialists or generalists.
The development programme draws on the expertise of senior figures in the University, including Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Divisional Directors and provides up to date information on the various strands and issues of University strategy and governance.
It also includes skills development and a valuable opportunity to network.
Follow this link for more information about the Administrators' Development Programme and how to apply.
Download the programme flyer.
Each year, PPD is asked to respond to specific requests from Schools, departments, faculties and divisions. These requests come either directly from the School or department concerned or via the HR Business Manager or Advisor. The development we deliver in response to these requests takes place at a range of levels, including School, department, team or individual.
Depending on the nature of the work required, we may need to levy a charge to cover costs.
In-house courses
Where you have sufficient numbers (usually a minimum of 8), we are able to deliver one of our courses within your department for your staff. This has the advantages of minimising travel time and giving an opportunity for colleagues to work together.
Where a particular course needs to be adapted to address particular experiences or interests, we can discuss this with you and tailor the programme accordingly.
Where there isn't a course available to meet your needs, we may be able to work with you to design and deliver one to meet your requirements.
As mentioned above, depending on the nature of the work required, we may need to levy a charge to cover costs.
Other forms of support
In addition to requests for courses, we also receive requests for other forms of support eg supporting departments/faculties with carrying out development needs analysis; team development activities; support and guidance for managers on specific issues; support with performance issues; coaching support.
Working with research students
There are many ways that we can work with you to develop your skills.We offer 1:1 skills analysis sessions; the skills survey online; and focus groups. We aim to understand your requirements through focus groups and feedback on courses. We are always happy to receive and discuss ideas for new training. We are also able to advertise other events that you know about relating to skills development, e.g., organized by student societies. For more information contact GDP admin team.