Research often involves uncertainty, changing priorities and incomplete information. Many researchers find themselves waiting for more confidence, more clarity or the perfect opportunity before taking action.

This practical workshop helps researchers make progress with what they already have, build momentum through action and develop a more resourceful approach to research and career development.

What participants will gain

Greater confidence working with uncertainty and ambiguity
Increased awareness of the skills, resources and networks already available to them
Practical strategies for overcoming overthinking and getting unstuck
Tools for identifying and creating opportunities
Increased confidence taking action before everything feels ready
A more proactive and adaptable approach to research and career development

What we cover

Why researchers get stuck and what keeps them there
Working with uncertainty rather than waiting for perfection
Identifying and making the most of existing skills, resources and relationships
Building momentum through experimentation and small steps
Recognising and creating opportunities
Learning from setbacks, surprises and unexpected outcomes
Applying Effectuation principles to research and career development

How it works

This session is designed to be:

Practical and reflective, not theory-heavy
Interactive, but low-pressure, making real progress in the session
Supportive and realistic about research life
Focused on small, usable actions that can be immediately applied

Format

Single workshop, 90 minutes to 2 hours
Delivered online via Zoom, or in person on request
Suitable for PhD researchers, doctoral training programmes, postdoctoral researchers and early career researchers (can be adapted for each career stage)

This session works well alongside

What you'll leave with

Greater confidence working with uncertainty and ambiguity
A clearer view of the skills, resources and networks you already have
Practical strategies for overcoming overthinking and getting unstuck
Tools for spotting and creating opportunities
More confidence taking action before everything feels ready
A more proactive, adaptable approach to research and career development

Frequently asked

Who is this workshop for?: PhD researchers and early career researchers who find themselves waiting for more clarity, more confidence or the perfect opportunity before they act. It can be adapted for different career stages.
How long is the session?: 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on what works for your group.
Is it delivered online or in person?: Online via Zoom, with in-person delivery available on request.
How many people can take part?: I usually run it for groups of 6 or more, and it works well with larger cohorts and doctoral training programmes.
What approach does the session draw on?: It draws on Effectuation, a way of making progress by starting from what you already have rather than waiting for perfect conditions, applied directly to research and career development.

The Proactive Researcher