Development opportunities

ENRICH (Enterprise, Networking, Research, Innovation and Culture Hub) is an annual development programme. open to postgraduate researchers and staff.

ENRICH is mapped to Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework (RDF), which sets out the knowledge, skills and behaviours required by researchers. It includes sessions on research methods, academic skills, networking and exploring enterprise opportunities. The programme includes:

• e-learning
• workshops
• seminars
• networking opportunities
• flagship events like Research Week and Three Minute Thesis (3MT)

The ENRICH brochure includes information to book and session details.
View the ENRICH programme brochure

Building your research network can boost your confidence, expose you to fresh ideas and help to shape your next steps. You will find a range of opportunities at the University to connect with others across disciplines and career stages.

Some of the ways to get involved include:

• ECR forum: an informal cross-School network for early career researchers to share experiences, raise challenges and build community.
• Coffee collabs: monthly meet-ups to spark new ideas across research disciplines, hosted by researchers from across the University.
• ENRICH networking events: quarterly themed events featuring short research presentations from across the research community, guest speakers, and a networking lunch to continue the conversation.

Get involved

You can access a wide range of support from the Library, including one-to-one tutorials and workshops within ENRICH and as part of other University programmes.
More about Library support

Taking part in events is a great way to showcase your research, gain confidence, network and build your profile. Our postgraduate researchers are encouraged to contribute to a range of University-wide activities throughout the year.

Key opportunities include:

• 3 Minute Thesis (3MT®)
  Our annual competition where you showcase your research in just three minutes, using one slide and clear, engaging language. The usual timeline is the Teesside final in May, the regional final in June, and the national final later in the year. Watch our 3MT winners’ video to gain a feel for the competition and see how researchers communicate their work with confidence and creativity.
• Research Week
  Our flagship celebration of research at Teesside, featuring panels, talks, training and the Research and Impact Fair, where staff and students present posters, exhibitions or demonstrations of their work. Each year, we welcome expressions of interest from postgraduate researchers to present, chair sessions and contribute ideas for the Research Week programme.
• FameLab
  We host the North East edition of FameLab, the global science communication competition run by Cheltenham Festivals. Participants are invited to present their work in three minutes, and are judged on the three Cs: content, clarity and charisma. The North East winner earns a place at the FameLab UK final in Cheltenham.

View last year's Research Week

View the winner of our 2025 3MT final

Turing Scheme

The University collaborates with partners around the world to supports students in accessing valuable international experiences. These opportunities are designed to transform perspectives and contribute to global communities through the power of education.

This work is supported by the UK Government’s Turing Scheme, which funds global mobility experiences for students. If you are interested in finding out more about upcoming opportunities, email TUGlobal@tees.ac.uk.

We are part of the University Alliance DTA, which offers a programme of online workshops, training sessions and peer engagement activities designed to support doctoral researchers’ academic skills and research practice. These sessions cover a variety of topics and are open to postgraduate researchers affiliated with the DTA and partner institutions.
View Doctoral Training Alliance (DTA) sessions (under 'External learning and opportunities').