Encouraging a more enterprising researcher: the implementation of an integrated training programme of enterprise for Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers

Abstract

There are an increasing number of university courses throughout the UK and worldwide which deal with enterprise and innovation, including both undergraduate and masters programmes, not just for business school students, but also as modules as part of many other subject areas. However, there is little in the way of integrated enterprise training for postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers outside of business school programmes. Many of these researchers are likely to need this training in the future if they obtain employment in commercial or non‐profit organisations, or remain in academia as researchers where they may find spin‐out ventures. This paper describes a strategy used to assess the enterprise training needs of researchers using primary and secondary data and trying to cater for these needs within the framework of an academic research setting by creating an integrated enterprise training programme for researchers at university.

Keywords:

• enterprise for postgraduate researchers
• technology transfer
• transferable skills training for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers