In this book I have explored different aspects of supporting research students. My starting point in Chapters 1 and 2 was researchers and research processes. This was followed by a description of the typical learning, development and research processes experienced by doctoral students in Chapters 3 and 4. I then considered the skills required by doctoral students and discussed them, in Chapter 5, in the context of initiatives in the UK to improve not only research skills but also the employability of people with doctorates.

In Chapter 6, I considered different approaches to supporting research students, including induction, workshops, one-to-one support and electronic support. This was followed by a discussion about different approaches for targeting and communicating with research students. An increasingly important means of supporting research students is through a virtual graduate school and this concept was explored in some depth in Chapter 7 and illustrated with case studies. Virtual graduate schools often support communities of researchers. Research communities are important because they support knowledge creation and exchange, scholarly publishing, and the development of networks. Two different types of community, communities of practice and communities of interest, were explored in Chapter 8 in the context of their relevance to research students. Membership in a research community is important for research students because it helps to provide them with access to information, ideas, networking and career support. Library and information workers who are knowledgeable about such communities and networks can signpost students towards them.

Finally, in this chapter I have considered different approaches to professional development for library and information workers. These include support offered by professional organizations and networks, provision by higher education institutions and research degrees.

Supporting research students is currently high on the agenda of universities in the UK. Research skills training for research students is seen as vital to successful completion of their degrees, as well as having an impact on their employment prospects. Developing strategic and targeted support for these students is an important element in the role of library and information workers.