Transversal skills
Doctoral education
Transversal skills
The School of Advanced Studies provides a common training pathway designed to complement specialist research skills and support the personal, professional and career development of PhD candidates.
Skills for research and beyond
Develop as an independent researcher and professional
Transversal activities are not limited to a specific academic discipline. They help candidates communicate research, organise complex work, collaborate effectively, manage projects and prepare for careers both within and outside academia.
General framework
Four areas of development
01
Communication and relationships
Communicate ideas and research results clearly, work constructively with others and progressively develop the ability to coordinate people, teams and collaborative activities.
02
Personal effectiveness
Organise time and priorities, manage complex projects, address uncertainty and understand how individual activities interact within wider research and organisational systems.
03
Academic research careers
Understand the organisation of doctoral research, responsible research practices, data and scientific methods, funding opportunities, publication processes and the communication of research results.
04
Careers beyond academia
Recognise and communicate transferable skills, explore professional opportunities, develop initiative and understand the principles of entrepreneurship, innovation and business creation.
Progressive development
A three-year skills pathway
YEAR 1
Build the foundations
Communication
Verbal and written communication.
Personal organisation
Time and priority management.
Research foundations
Doctoral planning, statistics, data management and research ethics.
Career awareness
Recognising opportunities and presenting your potential.
YEAR 2
Strengthen collaboration
Collaborative working
Teamwork and collaboration.
Project development
Research and project management.
Research practice
Good research or laboratory practice, grant writing and epistemology.
Initiative
Entrepreneurship, innovation and professional initiative.
YEAR 3
Prepare for independence
Leadership
Leadership and people management.
Strategic thinking
Systems thinking and complex problem analysis.
Research visibility
Digital communication and management of research outputs.
Professional transition
Business creation and planning the next career step.
Standard UNICAM pathway
10 ECTS each year
In the standard doctoral structure, candidates complete 10 ECTS of transversal training during each year of the Programme. Different arrangements may apply to joint Programmes, Programmes of National Interest or positions governed by specific agreements.
Participation
Follow the annual instructions
The calendar, delivery methods, attendance requirements and assessment procedures are communicated for each annual edition. Candidates should monitor their institutional email and the information provided by the Advanced Studies Office.
Annual programme
Topics and formats may be updated
The areas listed on this page describe the general transversal-skills framework. The activities actually offered, their sequence and their distribution across the three years may be adapted according to the annual training programme and the needs of the doctoral community.
Looking for other doctoral training activities?
Transversal skills are complemented by specialist courses, seminars and scientific events organised by each PhD Programme and curriculum.
Need information about transversal activities?
Contact the Advanced Studies Office for information on the annual programme, participation requirements, assessments and the recording of completed activities.