Why undertake the 10 days personal and professional development?
Your questions answered
To find out more about the 10-day requirement and expectations or if you have questions or concerns about why and how you might use your 10 days, look at our FAQs. They will help you better understand the 10 days development time, address typical concerns and overcome barriers to using your time.
It will help you to achieve your career vision and goals: Irrespective of what you want from your career (and you may not know what you want!) it is important to get into the habit of long-term planning and regular and diverse development activities.
It’s a requirement for all Research Staff: As a member of research staff in the UK you are entitled to, and expected to take, a minimum of 10 days away from your normal duties to spend in professional development activities. This is stated in the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, for which Imperial is a signatory.
It is expected that you plan and use these days every year (pro-rated if you are part-time) and that you engage in planning and reviewing your career and professional development at least annually with your line manager (Imperial Annual Review Conversations).
Find out from other researchers how they approached their 10 days development:
What was your approach?
In this video, hear how your peers approached planning their professional development.
How did you use your 10 days allocation?
Researchers share their experiences of how they used their 10 allocated days for their development.
Advice for early career researchers
Hear advice from current researchers about using your 10 days development time?