Development Needs Analysis
The LEAH DLA Hub Development Needs Analysis (DNA) is designed to support you, as a LEAH DLA-funded doctoral student, in planning your development through the doctoral journey.
Even without any intentional planning, your skills and knowledge, and you as a researcher, will inevitably grow as you progress through your doctorate. Nonetheless, our experience demonstrates that having regular, structured reflection can make a real difference to your development.
This DNA is the tool that helps you with this reflection. It refers to the training and development topics of the Hub, which consider the specific needs and demands of arts and humanities researchers, and take inspiration from the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF), a widely recognised approach for articulating the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of effective researchers. The DNA also provides opportunities for you to shape the priorities for the LEAH DLA Hub training programme.
Completing the DNA form
Completing the DNA form is a shared responsibility of both you and your supervisor. We recommend that you draft your response beforehand and finalise the answers during the supervisory meeting.
It is a requirement of your Doctoral Landscape Award that you complete the DNA annually (full-time) or every two years (part-time). You will receive the reminder to complete the DNA at the beginning of each academic year. You will usually have about a month’s time to complete the form.
If your home institution has a similar process, you still need to complete this DNA form, but you can copy and paste your answers where relevant.
Although you only need to submit the DNA form once a year, it is good practice to treat the DNA as a living document. You may want to have a separate document for yourself to keep track of your development and any changes to your development needs or plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory to complete the LEAH DLA Hub DNA form?
Yes. Completing the LEAH DLA Hub DNA form helps you take ownership of your personal and professional development and is an important way to engage with the Hub. Students will only have access to the student-led activity and network fund when they have completed the DNA form within the past 12 (full-time students) or 24 (part-time students) months.
My institution has a similar process. Do I still need to complete the LEAH DLA Hub DNA form?
Yes. We require all DLA-funded students to complete the DNA so that we can keep our training and cohort development programme responsive to your needs. Feel free to copy and paste your answers to your institution’s needs analysis questions in your LEAH DLA Hub DNA, if appropriate. If your institution’s process is not mandatory, please contact your local support team to confirm whether you still need to fill out your institution’s form when you complete the LEAH DLA Hub DNA form.
I am a part-time student. How often should I complete the DNA form?
You are required to complete the DNA form every year of full-time equivalent study (i.e., your first, third, and fifth year). However, we also encourage you to complete the DNA every calendar year to record the progress of your research and your own development in a timely manner.
My doctorate starts in January. When should I complete the DNA form?
You will receive information on completing the DNA when you start your programme in January, and we expect you to return the completed form within 1 month.
I am on a temporary break from my doctoral study when the DNA form is due. What should I do?
You should not complete the DNA form while you are taking a break from your study. When you return to your study, we expect you to complete the DNA within 2 months of your return. If there is only a short gap (less than 3 months) between the date of your return and the next general DNA deadline, you can wait until then to complete the DNA form.
Who will have access to my DNA form?
Your DNA response will be reviewed by the LEAH DLA Hub Director and Manager. All students’ DNA answers will also be aggregated and analysed, and the report will be shared anonymously with the LEAH DLA Hub management members. Your home institution can also request to view your DNA response for their reporting and training planning purposes.
If you have further questions, please contact the LEAH DLA Hub at leah-dla@kcl.ac.uk.