Getting The Right Trainers

How do you know a Trainer's materials will be relevant to your staff or students?

You know yourself how important relevance and credibility is - get it wrong and word of mouth spreads the bad news like wildfire. Get it right and you have a waiting list for the next course.

I have over 20 years experience working in a research environment, at research institutes at home, in Europe and in UK universities. I know the system. I've managed teams of postdoc researchers, I've trained PhD students. That's not to say "I know it all" but you know I've been there, lived through it and know what has worked.

When it comes to training in Universities, you will share that level of experience.

I have the experience, I make sure our trainers have the experience. Trust us to do the job.

Below I'll share two key types of information : information about our trainers and testimonials from students on past courses. I hope they help your decision-making.

Please do contact me to discuss any questions. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Dr Margaret Collins

My research career has been driven by the question "How does that work?". It didn't take long for me to begin to ask the same question about teaching students. Why were some techniques more effective than others? What did it mean if students have different learning styles?

Similarly when it came to career progression and promotion, why did some move up more quickly and easily than others? How did that work?

I found many answers through study of coaching, Behavioural Styles Analysis, Neuro Linguistic Programming and developments in educational theory. I bring aspects of these disciplines into my training workshops for you to share!

BSc Hons (first class) in Cell and Immuno Biology. University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
PhD in Molecular Genetics.
Royal Society European Fellowship. CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
Research Fellow, Dept of Microbiology, University of Surrey.
Section Head, Molecular Biology, Dept of Protein Engineering, AFRC, Reading.
Senior Scientific Officer, Institute for Animal Health, Compton.
Senior Lecturer, Dept Pathology & Infectious Diseases, RVC, London.
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Member of the Society For General Microbiology
Graduate of CoachInc Coach Training Programme, 2002
Master Practitioner of NLP, 2006

Rebecca Ballard

My educational background is in the areas of language and linguistics based in both Aberystwyth (undergraduate) and Bath (postgraduate) Universities. The application of these interests to communication and presentation skills training seems a small and very natural step.

Professionally I have been providing training and support for small groups and for individuals since 1990. Initially this was within organisations including the Southern Regional Council, The RNIB and Blazie Engineering. For the last two years I have been a freelance trainer.

Like many trainers, this initially started, almost by accident, as people realised I was "good at helping". Since then I have supplemented these natural talents with formal training in adult education with the City & Guilds 7307 qualification and certification in software support applications.

I have specialised in providing support for computer users of Microsoft products (including Word, Excel and Outlook) enabling people - even the technophobic and completely new computer user - to comfortably and confidently get the best out of their technology!

More recently I have provided individual support for people with various forms of disability requiring the use of a variety of access technology software including JAWS, Dragon Naturally Speaking Preferred, Magic, SuperNova and ZoomText.

Dr Shirley Ellis

I have been an active research scientist in the field of molecular immunology since 1980, initially at Oxford University and since 1990 at the Institute for Animal Health, a BBSRC-funded institute. I run a small, productive research group, and have supervised 10 PhD students to completion.

I have a long-standing interest in both postgraduate and supervisor training, and was involved since its inception with the training and accreditation programme for postgraduate supervisors (TAPPS) which is now administered by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) of which I am a Fellow.

I have a long-standing passion for good writing, and recently completed an MA at the University of Sussex in creative and critical writing, with a dissertation entitled: Genomes and creative writing. Since 2007 I have been working as a part-time freelance trainer, offering a variety of workshops involving writing skills for postgraduate students and early-career scientists.

Testimonials

Presentation Skills

* Thank you once again for the fantastic presentation session, it was very very helpful.

* I just wanted to say thank you so much for the presentations workshop yesterday, it was a really useful day.

* I came to the workshop with a deep fear of public speaking but left wanting to conquer that fear and perhaps even enjoy the experience in the future!

* I nearly didn't come - I'm so glad I made the effort as I learned lots that really helped!

Time management

* The most useful session I've attended - already recommended it to my colleagues!

* I really enjoyed the delivery and enthusiasm of the presenter.

* Interaction with others was good - we have the same challenges but respond very differently.

* Lots of different time management tools.

* Some really interesting concepts about positive mental attitude.

* I begin each day by "eating a frog" and it really does get better!

Postgrad Studies - Survive & Thrive!

* I liked the way Margaret presented her topic. It was very impressive and interesting. Thank you for such valuable time and content.

* Impressive, interesting, incredibly valuable!

* Lecturing style of the tutor is very attractive. Fantastic two way communication and active learning.

* It's important - don't miss it!

* Very well presented and thought provoking. A must for all new PhD students!!

Research Project Management

* The best session on the course so far!

* The small group size meant there was a real interactive exchange between tutor and colleagues

* Great group participation. The Post-It notes exercise was lots of fun and very useful!

* I can really take control of my project and it's management. I have a better idea of what is involved and am inspired to think harder about the risks, tasks etc.

Introduction to molecular biology

* Excellent lecture and a very useful tutorial.

* Very good lecture, not the easiest stuff to teach but still kept us all interested.

* I wish all lecturers were as patient and good as her.

Personal development courses

* Interesting, thought provoking, life-changing!

* I think the best feedback I could give you is the fact I recommended friends to come to your course. The course itself was value for money and a valuable experience. In a short time I was able to reuse what I gained from the exercises in my personal and working life.

* Margaret creates an atmosphere so relaxed and friendly that it is very easy to become involved and really achieve better understanding of yourself and how to improve your life. Many thanks for your advice and support.

* Margaret has an innate knack of creating a confidential, and yet relaxed, atmosphere, thus enabling invaluable group discussions

If you would like to know more, please contact me by telephone or email and I'll happily answer your questions.