Our research consultancy training programme is one of our most popular ways for doctoral students to use and develop their skills in consultancy while creating a real impact on the voluntary sector in London!
Challenge yourself to make a difference and develop valuable skills in research consultancy that you can apply beyond academia. You'll access an exclusive 3 hour training session from research consultancy company Kohlrabi, before putting your new skills to the test with a third sector client.
What does the Pro Bono Research Service do?
Our Pro Bono Research Service offers voluntary and community sector organisations a chance to sit down with our knowledgeable doctoral students to co-create solutions for their research and evaluation needs.
Our doctoral students work within mini consultancy groups focused on causes that they are passionate about. Your interdisciplinary group will work together to tackle major issues such as climate and sustainability, health and wellbeing, cultural understanding, justice and inequality and more!
Consultancy groups work together to take meetings with voluntary and community sector organisations to craft short burst research projects and leave organisations with a succinct proposal that will be posted to our UCL Volunteer directory.
Consultancy groups can also tackle larger projects over the summer, working with a single organisation "client" to design and deliver a research or evaluation project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Attendance at one of the below trainings is mandatory for participation in this voluntary opportunity:
- Research Consultancy Taster
- Research Consultancy Deep Dive
As this is a voluntary opportunity we recommend undertaking the following tasks to make the most of the experience:
- Pro Bono Research Service Induction (mandatory, takes place at the beginning of term 3)
- 6 hours of consultancy and evaluation volunteering a month
- Termly lunch and learn sessions
Training and Development
Skill building
This programme is chocked full of new skills and opportunities to take your learning from classroom to community. Below are just a few of the skills you can expect expand at this training:
- Cross-sector working
- Consultancy skills
- Negotiation skills
- Active listening skills
- Critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Entrepreneurial skills
- Stakeholder management
- Interpersonal skills
- Knowledge of research methodology and approaches
- Evaluation and impact assessment
- Connecting with new communities
Development
We'll have loads of ways for you to develop professionally, personally, and make a powerful social impact at the same time. Below are a few highlights that you can expect throughout the programme:
- Try your hand at interdisciplinary working as you bond with your assigned consultancy group featuring students from across the university all focusing on one central theme
- Hone your team work abilities by working with your consultancy group to tackle real world problems facing the voluntary sector
- Get expert mentorship research consultancy and community engagement professionals
- Gain access to insider opportunities for jobs, professional development, and leadership
I'm a PhD student and I want to get involved, what do I do?
Have questions or want to get in touch with our team to chat things through? Email [email protected] for more information.