The LABDA training programme consists of several interacting elements:
- Training through research and dissemination:
Via training-through-research projects, 13 doctoral fellows will establish novel methods for advanced 24/7 movement behaviour data analysis and assess the added value of linking multimodal data. They will develop a joint taxonomy to enable interoperability and data harmonisation. Results will be combined in an open source LABDA toolbox of advanced analysis methods, which will include a decision tree to guide researchers and other users to the optimal method for their (research) question. The open source toolbox of advanced analysis methods will lead to optimised, tailored public health recommendations and improved personal wearable feedback concerning 24/7 movement behaviour.
- Secondments:
Each fellow will go on multiple secondments, of which at least one is intersectoral (to a policy or commercial partner) and at least one is international. This gives them a broad view and skills to thrive in different (working) environments, e.g., networking in various contexts, independence, and language skills.
- Local courses:
Each fellow will register at the doctoral school of the supervising academic partner, which offers a broad range of complementary courses. These local courses include data science, statistical and methodological courses; philosophy of science and research ethics; courses on intellectual property and valorisation in life sciences and medicine; leadership and entrepreneurship; academic writing; presentation and communication skills; personal effectiveness; project management; creative thinking. The fellows will draft their personal Career Development Plan (PCDP), tailored to their individual needs and project, which will be updated annually. The doctoral schools from the beneficiaries have procedures for approving the LABDA training.
- Network-wide training:
There will be joint network-wide training. For that purpose, LABDA academy is established, which will regularly arrange events and training to focus on (1) multidisciplinary scientific content; (2) a wide range of transferable skills, including entrepreneurial skills; (3) joint assignments to work on the joint LABDA taxonomy and toolbox; and (4) research progress meetings to discuss plans and results and improve presentation skills.
- Engagement with the non-academic sector in the training programme
LABDA’s non-academic partners form an integral part of our training programme. Each fellow will spend part of their training-through research time in the non-academic sector via recruitment or one or more policy and/or industry secondments. During the network-wide training events, all fellows are exposed to various non-academic workshops (e.g., public health policy, commercialising accelerometer analysis, drafting a business plan, and grant writing) and a technology mentoring programme.