Supporting our researchers

Derby boasts a dynamic research environment and a close-knit community of 400 research students and 300 research-active staff. We are committed to providing exceptional support and encouragement, empowering them to push boundaries, innovate, and succeed in their fields.

Our community

At the University, we are committed to empowering our researchers at every stage of their careers. Whether you are just starting out or leading pioneering projects, we provide the resources, spaces, and opportunities you need to thrive. 

From dedicated research environments and expert training to funding guidance and networking opportunities, our support is designed to help you make an impact. We encourage a collaborative community where ideas flourish, connections are made, and research drives real-world change.

Student and staff wellbeing

Our University is committed to a supportive and inclusive culture where wellbeing, diversity, and opportunity are at the heart of everything we do. We believe that a thriving academic and professional environment is built on respect, inclusivity, and the right support for both staff and students. 

To achieve this, we offer a wide range of initiatives, policies, staff networks, student societies, and events throughout the year, all designed to promote a sense of belonging and ensure that everyone can reach their full potential. 

Explore the support available: 

• Wellbeing for staff – Access dedicated resources, initiatives, and support services designed to help staff maintain a healthy work-life balance and overall wellbeing. 
• Wellbeing for students – Find guidance, support, and wellbeing initiatives tailored to students, including The Wellbeing Thesis, an online resource specifically designed to support postgraduate research students in managing their wellbeing alongside their studies. 
• Equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing for all – Discover how we are creating an inclusive community through policies, networks, and events that celebrate and support the diversity of our University. 

Whether you are a member of staff or a student, we are committed to ensuring you have access to the resources and support needed to succeed and feel valued within our University community. 

Supporting health and wellbeing in the workplace is a key priority for us, which is why we offer the Work Health Hub. This initiative provides tailored training, guidance, and resources to help individuals and businesses create healthier, more productive working environments. And as part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment, we also champion the Technician Commitment, ensuring that our skilled technical staff receive the recognition, development opportunities, and career support they deserve.  

Events

We value the importance of connecting our research community and sharing the outstanding work taking place across the University. To support this, we organise a variety of events that allow our researchers, students, and the wider community to come together, engage with each other, and showcase the impact of their research. 

Some of the key events include: 

• The Annual Research and Innovation Conference – A key event where researchers come together to present their work, share ideas, and discuss new developments. 
• The Postgraduate Student Research Conference – An event dedicated to showcasing the research of our postgraduate students, offering them a platform to present their findings and receive valuable feedback. 
• Public Lectures – A series of lectures designed to engage the public with important research topics and provide insight into the latest academic developments. 
• Professorial Inaugural Lectures – These lectures celebrate the achievements of newly appointed professors and offer them the chance to share their research journey and future plans. 
• College-based activities – A range of activities within each College that promote collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and academic growth. 
• Annual Images of Research Competition – A creative competition where students and staff are encouraged to represent their research visually, highlighting the diversity and creativity of the work being done. 
• Events and festivals, such as the FORMAT – We also take part in larger events like the FORMAT International Photography Festival, which offers a platform to showcase creative research in the arts. 

These events provide valuable opportunities for networking, learning, and celebrating the impact of research across a wide range of disciplines. 

PGR Cafés

Our PGR Cafes provide valuable opportunities for Derby’s research community to connect, share, and learn. The PGR Cafés are specifically designed for Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs) to present their research, network with peers, and engage with fellow students to help build a more cohesive, supportive research environment at the University of Derby.

Library support

The library supports the university research community in realising their ambitions by opening up new areas of knowledge and understanding. Our dedicated Library team supports staff and students at every stage of their research journey, from postgraduate research students to established academics. Inductions, along with training and guidance on publication practice, help researchers develop confidence in research metrics, Open Access publishing, copyright, and how to maximise the visibility and impact of research outputs. Our librarians offer expert guidance on essential topics, including navigating library systems, effective literature searching, and reference management.

The library manages the University of Derby Online Research Archive (UDORA), our institutional repository, which showcases research outputs from the University and ensures compliance with funder mandates and the institutional Publication and Open Access policy. The Civic Collection includes long-form publications authored or edited by University of Derby staff across all disciplines, inspiring students and celebrating the work of our researchers. The Library actively supports Open Research and responsible research assessment, promoting transparency, collaboration, and accessibility in scholarly communication.

Library Services provide access to a vast collection of research materials and content, including over 50,000 journals, more than 450,000 e-books, and an extensive selection of printed resources. Our digital collections and digital-first policy ensure that researchers have access to scholarly content either from our collections or further supplemented through our Interlibrary Loan service, which enables access to a broader network of academic resources. Our Books For You service gives students the option to request books to support personal learning and research, wellbeing and enrichment. The Scan and Deliver service enables staff and students to request a digital copy of any chapter or article that the Library holds in print, facilitating access to printed resources for all.  

The Doctoral College

The Doctoral College is a dedicated space designed to support your research journey, spark collaboration, and create a true home for our postgraduate research community. 

Located on the upper ground floor of the library at Kedleston Road, this space is more than just a place to work – it’s where ideas connect, inspiration grows, and knowledge thrives. Whether you need a quiet corner to focus, a welcoming space to meet with your supervisor, or an environment to exchange ideas with fellow researchers, you’ll find it here. 

Designed with flexibility in mind, the Doctoral College offers a mix of social, networking, and study areas, as well as bookable meeting rooms, a dedicated Viva Voce Examination room, and facilities for both individual and group work. A fully equipped kitchen is also available, ensuring you have everything you need to make the space your own.