Training Programme and Boot Camps

DIGI+ is cultivating excellence by extending the traditional academic research training setting while equipping fellows with the bespoke combination of advanced research skills and key transferable competencies necessary to undertake leadership roles in a range of organisation types. The DIGI+ training programme has been specifically designed, with significant input from all DIGI+ academic and non-academic associated partner

Fellows’ development will be supported by their ST, guided by the individual training plan and continual use of a PCDP as well as excellent local support structures tailored to junior (Level 1) and experienced (Level 2) fellows

A number of core enhanced research skillsets to support the priority areas for digital transformation have been identified, namely;

• a citizen-centric digital strategy
• a fair and competitive digital economy
• an open, democratic and sustainable society

The Training Programme will offer a wide range of professional development interventions, including:

• World-leading interdisciplinary and intersectoral research projects
• The support of an interdisciplinary and intersectoral ST
• Complementary advanced research and transferable skills training
• DIGI+ boot camps based at NUIM, UL and DCU with in person networking opportunities  
• Intersectoral secondments and short scientific visits of up to one week to DIGI+ partners            
• Specific training in communication and dissemination, supported by mandatory participation in knowledge dissemination, public engagement, and related outreach activities
• A 2-day DIGI+ induction training at the start of all fellowships

The training programme will be reviewed every 6 months by the Steering Board

• Non-academic sector in the training programme is involved closely
• Trainings developed as a support and/or additional training in non-research oriented transferable skills
• Beyond advanced research training, all DIGI+ academic hosts offer a broad set of courses and training opportunities in key transferable skills
• DIGI+ Fellows will have full access to the transferable skills training at their host organisation, and where feasible, at other DIGI+ partners (comprising workshops, on-line learning and bespoke training programmes

Additional training – Boot Camps

DIGI+ Fellows will have full access to the transferable skills training at their host organisation, and where feasible, at other DIGI+ partners (comprising workshops, on-line learning and bespoke training programmes)

Training costs for fellows’ participation will be covered by DIGI+ training budget. All fellows will be expected to complete four transferable skills courses (4 contact hours/half-day equivalent) during the lifetime of their fellowship.

The DIGI+ training programme includes Aurora female leadership training, a cornerstone element to reduce barriers to females to take on leadership roles.

Entrepreneurship and innovation are considered core elements at DIGI+. The business-oriented approach of the academic hosts and interactions with relevant non-academic partners provide fellows with different career options with a wider range of knowledge of the public and private sectors.

School Bootcamp 1 – Advanced Research Skills and Networking activities
(Chair: Markus Helfert) (Month 17 and M27)

Day1

Morning:

Designing Impactful Research (Donnellan, NUIM)
Innovative Approaches in achieving Sustainable Goals (Mayo County Council)

Afternoon:

Beyond traditional research methods (*) Engaged research (Helfert, NUIM) speakers i.e. Hevner vom Brocke, Mädche, Anne Huff Fitzgerald (UL)

Day 2

Morning:

EU Digital transformation (Funding Manager, Adapt)
Efficient & Responsible Research management (*) (NUIM Research)

Afternoon:

Understanding Green Charter & Principles – (John Cullen (NUIM), Research office NUIM, Andy Fogarty (TUS)

Day 3

Morning:

OS, PE, Co-creation (Education, Lero)
Effective Research Communication (*) (Communications, Adapt)

Afternoon:

Soft systems thinking &Crowdsourcing (Carroll; Morgan, NUIG)
Networking/Collaboration (Interactive activity)

Day 4

Morning:

Utilising Design Thinkin (Galvin, NUIM)
Ethics & Responsible Research & Innovation (Mordan, TUS; Ker NUIM)

Afternoon:

Digitising European Industry with non-academic sector, i.e. Creditsafe, Siemens, VigiTrust, HSE, Ernst & Young (EY)
Chair: Peter Conlon NUIM)

School Bootcamp 2 –Achieving Research Excellence
(Chair: Brian Fitzgerald) (Month 32)

Day 1

Morning:

Sustainability & socio-economic resilience (Rowan, (TUS), Singular Logic
Sustainability Projects i.e. EcoAqua, EmowerEco, Terrain-AI, GreenCampus

Afternoon:

Gender equality in research (Accelopment)
The Level Project: Promoting gender balance in leadership roles Enterprise Ireland

Day 2

Morning:

Commercialisation (*) (Conlon (NUIM), Castlebridge, Enterprise Ireland
Research with IP (*) (Business Development, ADAPT)

Afternoon:

Gender equality & diversity Workshop (PRs, researchers, universities, funding bodies & policy) (Equality, NUIM)

Day 3

Morning:

High-Performance, Quantum & Scientific Computing Panel with, Legato Health Ireland & Irish Centre for High-End Computing),

Afternoon:

Engaged Research & Societal Impact: investigate an issue of public interest (Campus Engaged Project)

Day 4

Morning:

Horizon Results Booster: Overview of services available towards strong societal impact

Enhancing Carer Perspective with International Networks (Adapt/Lero/IVI)

Afternoon:

Design Thinking Workshop – novelty, rigor, & relevance (interactive with PRs, academic & non-academic stakeholders). Chair: Fitzgerald, UL

School Bootcamp 3 –What next? Beyond the Research Fellowship
(Chair: Rob Brennan) (Month 37)

Day 1

Morning:

Data Economy: Empower8 Dan Hayden (META), Joan Mulvihill (Siemens), Geraldine Larkin (CEO NSAI)

Afternoon:

ERA career in Policy & alternatives Stefka Dzhumalieva (EC) Deirdre Finlay (Léargas)

Day 2

Morning:

How to write a competitive proposal for HE with Sustainability in mind (Hyperion.ie)

Afternoon:

Funding Pathway (*) Funding Managers (Adapt; Lero), NCP Climate

Day 3

All Day:

DIGI+ Big Idea Showcase -Digital Transformation: PRs discussing their research with peers, academics & non-academic participants. (Expectation 120+ attendees)

Day 4

Morning:

Women in Leadership (Richardson, UL; Kerr, NUIM; Fitzmaurice, EY; Flanagan, World Economic Forum (WEF)

Afternoon:

Digital transformation in Europe –Panel with non-academic sector (Chair: Flanagan, WEF)