Key Information

Tutor: Dr Caroline Hargreaves
Duration: 2 hour 15 minute session
Delivery: Live (In-Person, South Kensington) & Live (Online, Zoom)
ECRI Credit (PGR only): 1 credit 
Audience:  Research Degree Students, MRes, Postdocs and Research Fellows

Dates

There are no further sessions taking place this academic year. Course dates for 2026-27 will be available to book from late September.

An assertive person appears confident, communicates well and is skilled in dealing with people in all types of situations.

This course with preparatory and post course materials will give you knowledge and practice for evaluating situations and responding appropriately. It will focus on example situations that you may encounter during your research life.

This course has preparatory activities (~30 minutes) to complete before the live course (2h15) and to engage with during the course: PhD researchers will receive the credit by participating in all preparatory and live course activities.

This course is designed to help you understand and develop your assertiveness. You may like to consider Negotiation for your Research and Beyond and other courses in the Personal and Professional Effectiveness programme. 

Postgraduate Representatives, this course is recommended for you (by academics, former reps and the Union), please ask the tutor for tailored case studies and signposting.

This course is open to Research Degree Students, MRes, Postdocs and Research Fellows

Learning Outcomes


By the end of this course and with preparatory and post-course materials, you will be better able to:

  • Identify the difference between assertive, aggressive and passive behaviour at work
  • Recognise body language during meetings associated with these behaviours
  • Employ active listening techniques and other communication skills
  • Develop your self-confidence and ability to communicate effectively
  • Evaluate situations and your response to improve outcomes

How to book

Book via Inkpath using your Imperial Single-Sign-On. Bookings will close one week before each live session.

Please ensure you have read and understood ECRI’s attendance & cancellation policy before booking. 

Further Information

Pre-Course Work

You will be sent a link to the online platform to complete preparatory activities before the live course and to engage with during the course. This is designed to take ~30 minutes, with material to read or listen to and consider, and polls and forms to complete. Discussions and group activities build on the pre-course work, so previous participants request that we require you to complete this.  

Netiquette for Online Training
  • It is important that you are fully present and an active participant, to create a safe space for sharing and discussion.
  • Please ensure prior to attending that you have a fully functioning camera and microphone. If you have any issues with your equipment, please contact us as soon as possible.  
  • Please ensure that you are in a private space where you can maintain confidentiality and the privacy of the other participants.
  • To maintain confidentiality, all participants are asked to agree to keep what is said within the group, and not record or take screenshots/photos without permission. Pictures or quotes from the session should not be posted on social media or elsewhere. 
Confidentiality
  • Your discussions on the day are crucial to the course activities, so that you can learn from each other and the tutor and see what may be improved.  If you do not wish to share or are not permitted to share particular details, do not include or anonymise them in your examples.
  • If you have a concern about a particular issue, you can organise a 1-1 with the tutor who will be able to signpost you to appropriate individuals or resources. 
Participant Quotations

'I liked the breadth of aspects covered, especially in differences of assertion/aggression/passiveness in word choice and body language.'

'Very helpful and interactive. I learnt some very small things which can actually make a huge difference in improving my assertiveness, especially when it comes to the balance between firmness and graciousness.'

Other Resources
  • The online platform with the pre-course work, has many resources for you to consider before and after the course. 

You may also be interested in other courses from the following programmes:

Core booking blocks

Inkpath booking system

Guidance and FAQs on booking courses.

Attendance & Cancellation Policy

Information about the attendance and cancellation policy for places on ECRI courses