Abstract:

Can the development of soft skills in students make research projects and science at university more popular and efficient? Definitely yes. This proposal shares a unique experience of ITMO University - a STEM-focused National research university in Russia that proves that teaching soft skills and research management simultaneously is possible.

Since fall of 2018 soft skills courses are a compulsory part of Masters education at ITMO. Every student can choose one of seven life-improving courses that help them tackle such daily challenges as personal effectiveness, communication with others, managing conflict, emotional intelligence etc.

At least three out of seven courses offered at Master’s level help young researchers improve their scientific activities. “International Research Management Essentials” is a project-oriented course where students work in teams. During three weeks of the course create and develop an interdisciplinary project. More than 20 scientists from all over the world share their unique techniques of research methods and soft skills. “Career management in Science” is a person-oriented course, where special attention is paid to the individual path of a young researcher: his or her communication, collaboration and scientific analysis skills. Each student has constant support of a PhD-mentor throughout the course.

The year 2020 showed us the importance of online education and the role of online courses. Thus the online course “Life in Science: Guide for a Young Researcher” answers the questions of beginning researchers and finds solutions for the limitations of the pandemic world we live in today. The course aims at equipping young researchers with the tools that will help them progress in their research fields and at the same time, enabling them to share their knowledge with others. This effect is achieved by the unique content created by ITMO University soft skills team.

This proposal discusses the aspects of moving an offline course into the online format while keeping the so-desired interactivity and student collaboration tools in a science-oriented content. Soft skills courses as a part of the core curriculum for MS students ensure their ability to communicate science to their counterparts from all over the world. Each student thus gets their “trial day” in science.

Keywords:

Soft skills, research methods, soft skills education.