The document discusses the development of a Researcher Development Programme at the University of Liverpool library to provide targeted training to researchers, including challenges in promoting the program due to issues with branding, marketing, and meeting the diverse needs of researchers. It provides an overview of the types of training sessions offered as well as recommendations to improve promotion through standardizing materials, networking events, and championing the program within academic departments.

1. Involve, inform, inspire: Reaching
researchers through targeted
training
Lisa Hawksworth, Faculty
Librarian Social Sciences
Penny Street, Faculty Librarian
Health & Life Sciences
University of Liverpool

2. Once upon a time...
University Library
• Researcher training delivered by • Focussed on information literacy for
various groups in the University UG and taught PG
• Research students unhappy with • Library involved in the research
training opportunities process; RAE submission, Research
Archive and e-theses
• Staff engaged in research need
support in the run-up to the REF • Desire to engage with the research
community

3. What did we do?
• Looked elsewhere! • Advertised via University
Announcements/staff and
• Created the Researcher PGR email lists
Development Programme Group
• Used Excel to record bookings;
• Liverpool University Press time consuming
‘Getting your PhD published in
the Arts & Humanities’ • Collected feedback by emailing
attendees individually
• So our programme started to
grow... • Session ran again a few
months later

4. The story so far...
• Workshops/seminars over • Ideas from feedback or survey
lunchtime, sometimes longer results or just talking to people;
ask for suggestions at every
• Different days of the opportunity!
week/locations/internal and
external speakers
• Constantly evolving and
• ‘Core’ programme of events developing
• One-0ff events to test new ideas or
respond to niche areas

5. The Programme: a flavour
Core One-off
• Depositing your thesis in the
• Using SciFinder
University Research Archive
• Open Educational Resources
• Increase the impact of your
researchers seminar
journal articles
• Getting published in the social
• Speed up your web-research:
sciences
plugins, portals and pinboards
• Getting your PhD published in
• Advanced Google
the Arts & Humanities
• Copyright for 1st year PGR
• Using Digimap for research
students

6. So...what is the problem?

7. Spreading the word...
Researchers need information on:
• Searching and referencing
• Depositing e-theses/IR/Copyright
• Making their work visible/Bibliometrics
• Social media and web resources
We know this, but do they?
Research Information Network (2006) Researchers and discovery services; Behaviour,
perceptions and needs. London: Research Information Network.
http://www.rin.ac.uk/our-work/using-and-accessing-information-resources/researchers-and-
discovery-services-behaviour-perc

8. Promotion: pitfalls, problems, perils!
• Product packaging: the plan, the process, the
pitch, the people
• To perfect promotion, these elements first need
to be in place
• To brand – we need a package to promote

9. Planning
• Timing – what’s needed when
• Thinking ahead – the programme calendar
• Evolution – building on past experience
• The value of feedback – listen to our audience

10. Process
• How we manage it
▫ other stakeholders
• Avoiding duplication
• Practicalities – coping with demand
• LibCal
• Value added – Research LibGuide supplements
sessions

11. People
• PGR mix: age, culture, ability, expectations
• Generic v customised sessions?
• Needs and timing – when to deliver
information?
• One size doesn’t fit all – how to deliver?

12. Pitch
• Content
• Speakers
▫ external or internal
• Topics
▫ core or one off?

13. Promoting the product
• How do we get the right blend
to promote our product?
▫ A successful promotional mix
uses a balance of tools in a
planned and structured way

14. A happy ending?
The perfect promotional mix?
• Brand: Recognition is key!
• Meet: Word of mouth – meet the people!
• Market: web pages, LibGuides but more!
• Know your audience!

15. Branding
• Standard document formats
• Standard terminology/jargon
• Visuals are crucial to a brand
• Blog with PGR contributors
• Market the benefits of attendance
• Supervisor training: can we be part of it?
Research Information Network (2011) The role of research supervisors in
information literacy. London: Research Information Network.
http://www.rin.ac.uk/our-work/researcher-development-and-
skills/information-handling-training-researchers/research-superv

16. Meeting our audience
• Social aspects are important
▫ create opportunities for networking
• Go out to researchers as a ‘road show’ to events
already in place
• Welcome event for new researchers:
periodically, with refreshments, networking,
meet Liaison Librarian

17. Market
• Champions in department
▫ departmental mailing lists/PGR mailing lists
• Quick Start Guide for researchers
• Use professional services staff contacts
• Use marketing calendar to market researcher
programme
• More integration/publicity of modules
• Publicise the Research Support LibGuide at
sessions

18. The story goes on...
• We’ve come a long way
• Still more to do!
• Programme has developed a momentum
• Will we crack the branding/marketing issue?