Registration is now open for 23 Things International 2025

 Registration is now open for 23 Things International 2025

Royal Holloway is a programme partner alongside universities and research groups from across the world. This unique global programme is specially tailored for researchers interested in learning new tools to enhance their research, build and engage in research communities, and build their profile. It is open to postgraduate researchers from all disciplines.

23T is a self-directed online programme. Each week we release two blogs – Things – covering a topic that can enhance how you work. It’s an easy way to find out the basics, with time to experiment a little and resources for taking things further when you want. With fresh content from field experts every year, we’re responsive to current needs, issues and debates, as well as the latest tools/technology. For example, this year will feature using AI in your research, project planning for grants, creative sharing of research, and research community building.  

A huge benefit is that when you join the programme, you have the option to join a ‘Pod’ with other researchers from around the world; through our dedicated Discord server you can meet, share experiences and maybe plan for future collaborations. Essentially, we want to help you build up a mini-network that goes beyond the obvious links within your institution or field and connects you with people you might otherwise never meet. For 2025 we’re grouping people using the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals - now of central importance to many research programmes and funders - so whatever your discipline or career stage, you’ll be meeting people with similar passions and priorities.

 The Pod creates an instant network of researchers with overlapping research interests and leads to fantastic collaborations and friendships. Some of the Things include small group tasks, helping you to explore topics further together.

On top of all this, there is a Discord channel for discussion and networking, and we’re mixing in some live events, too – cross-time-zone coffee socials, writing sessions and more!

 Our partners are leading universities and networks:

We expect to have around 800 participants for 2025, from all areas of research.

Registration is open now, and closes on Monday 17 February. The first ‘Thing’ will be released on 3 March, and you will also meet your pod that week. The course runs for 14 weeks (including two break weeks).

The time commitment is very flexible. It’s designed to take about an hour a week (on average) to read the blogs and complete the small tasks, but you can tailor your involvement to suit your own interests and availability. There is no obligation to complete all the tasks, and each pod will decide how and how often they would like to meet. At the end of the programme you can claim a certificate and digital badge. We also invite you to take part in a questionnaire and focus group, which supports our further research into online learning and how researchers adopt and adapt technologies to their needs. 

You can register by filling in this form. Once the pods have been allocated, we’ll provide you with introductions.

 Subscribe to the website to make sure you receive a notification when each blog post goes live.

 For more information, please email Laura.Christierhul.ac.uk