DNA – Development Needs Analysis
What is the DNA?
The purpose of the Development Needs Analysis (DNA) is to help you, in consultation with your supervisor, to identify the training you need to complete your doctoral research and become a successful researcher. The DNA also provides opportunities for students and supervisors to identify gaps in the training provision. It is an ESRC requirement that all doctoral students complete the DNA regularly, which means at least once a year. When developing the DNA, we have drawn on Section B in the ESRC Postgraduate Training and Development Guidelines 2022.
When do I need to complete the DNA?
LISS DTP will contact you at the start of each academic year (i.e., in early October each year) to share access to the latest DNA form online via SkillsForge, and information on the completion deadline. If you are a first-year PhD student and did not start your programme in September/October, you will be contacted separately with an individualised deadline. LISS DTP Supervisors can find a sample of the DNA form in the Supervisors section of our website.
Completing the DNA is the shared responsibility of the student and their supervisors. Only students have access to the form, and the student-supervisor development plan section must be filled in by the student in consultation with the supervisors. It must be done within one month of your start date and then at least once annually within a month of each anniversary of your start date. Please ensure that all action points are followed up. The LISS DTP team and Research Area Leads will monitor submissions.
When completing the DNA, please keep in mind that all LISS DTP-funded students are required to undertake training in four key areas: conceptual, general research, specialist, and Research in Practice training. The DNA is structured accordingly.
Why do I need to complete the DNA?
The DNA is a compulsory annual task for all LISS DTP PhD (+3.5) students and is a condition of receiving ESRC Studentship funding. As such, to access Research Training and Support Grant (RTSG), as well as other sources of funding from the LISS DTP, this form must be completed satisfactorily and on an annual basis and returned to the LISS DTP. Failure to do so will result in your application for research funds being declined.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t complete the DNA?
If you don’t complete the DNA satisfactorily, you will not be able to access funds such as the RTSG, SLAF, OIV and OSFW. If you are unable to complete the DNA on time, please contact your supervisors and the Deputy Director for Training and Cohort Development, Prof Lasse Thomassen.
I am part-time. When should I complete the DNA?
You must complete the DNA every year of full-time equivalent study, that is, your first, third and fifth year. You are welcome to make further updates to your DNA at any point during your PhD.
While it is not compulsory to complete the DNA every calendar year, we encourage you to do so as your research and your development progress.
I did not start my PhD in October. When should I complete the DNA?
If you did not start your PhD in October, you should complete the DNA for the first time within two months of starting your PhD. If you started in January, for instance, you should complete it by the end of February.
If your PhD start date is more than 6 months (full-time)/ 12 months (part-time) before the annual general DNA deadline (usually in November/December), you will be asked to complete the DNA again in October like everyone else.
For students in their second year or beyond (both full-time and part-time), please follow the general DNA completion timeline.
I started my PhD prior to getting funding from the LISS DTP. Should I start the DNA from Year 1 or from Year 2 in the online form?
I have had a break in my PhD. How does that affect the DNA?
You should take any breaks into consideration when planning when to complete the DNA. If, for instance, you have taken a six-month break, this would postpone your next DNA completion date. You are encouraged to consult with your supervisors about this and, if necessary, with the Deputy Director for Training and Cohort Development.
I am on leave/suspension when the DNA is due. What should I do?
Students on leave/suspension should not complete their DNA while they are on leave/suspension. You should complete it within two months of returning from leave/suspension. If the leave/suspension leaves only a short gap (less than three months) until the next general DNA deadline (usually in November/December), you can wait until the general TNA deadline.
How much should I write in response to each question in the free text boxes?
Can I make changes to the DNA once it’s completed?
How do I submit the DNA?
Can I save the DNA form for my own record?
SkillsForge has a record of courses I booked/attended. Do I still need to list them in the DNA form?
We encourage students to keep their own record of training using the DNA form. This also allows you to list any training and development events not listed on SkillsForge that they attended.