• You can access Inkpath through the web by navigating to https://webapp.inkpath.co.uk, or by opening your mobile device’s app store and downloading the free Inkpath app from there.
• Click on the “Choose your destination” dropdown and select “Northern Bridge Consortium AHRC DTP” from the Organisation drop down list. 
• Click on the links to both the Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy to read and ensure that you have understood them before returning to the sign up page to agree to the terms - to do this tick the box then click “Next”.
• Enter your University email address into the Email field and click “Next”.
• Enter your First Name and Last Name and click “Register”.
• You will instantly receive a message on the page notifying you that your account is ready, and receive an email with a one-time link to set your password.
• Open your email client, click the link and set your password. Your password must be eight characters long with a mix of letters, numbers, symbols and a capital letter. Click “Set Password”.
• If you have previously registered to another organisation within Inkpath with the same email address, you will use the same email address and existing Inkpath password to log in. You will not receive a new password. If you are connected to more than one organisation you will see the option 'Switch Organisation' in the top right corner.

Skills

• Here, you can view all activities mapped to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework; and see the time you’ve spent improving each skill.
• You can explore further activities based on skills of interest.
• You can analyse and reflect on your personal development through the Skills Analysis questionnaire.

Goals

• Here, you can explore goals, skills-based or pathways set by Northern Bridge. This section will develop as our use of Inkpath grows.
• In the meantime, you can create your own custom goals to set personal targets, see your progress and understand next steps.

Activities

• Here, you’ll discover, explore and record activities offered by Northern Bridge with description, provider, timings, location, skills, booking link, mapped location, automatic calendar entry. We anticipate that the majority of the training we offer will be booked via Inkpath.
• You can record custom activities, and use privacy settings to control the visibility of these to your home institution.
• You can export a detailed record of all activities attended – the perfect raw material for your CV.
• You can attach notes, photos and/or file evidence to your attendance records.
• You can provide feedback to training administrators.
• And, you’ll use a single QR code scan your attendance and add an activity and all its details to your portfolio. The QR code is sent to the trainer just prior to the event. You simply scan it to record your attendance.

If you have any questions about using Inkpath, please email northernbridge.admin@newcastle.ac.uk in the first instance. We’ll add responses to frequently asked questions to the list below:

Why Inkpath?

Inkpath enables the Northern Bridge Consortium to manage a number of cohort development and training events for all its award-holders across seven institutions on one platform. As an award-holder, you’ll have a single, consistent means by which you can access available training and book your place. For Northern Bridge managers and directors, it helps us provide our funder, the AHRC, with essential details on training and engagement.

Does Inkpath replace the training and development recording system(s) at my home institution?

No, and this is very important: if your home institution operates systems by which you record your training and development and which may, for example, feed into activities such as your annual progress review, you should continue to use those systems as directed. Inkpath will include Northern Bridge Consortium-funded activities only. While we would generally encourage you to also use Inkpath to make your own record of any other activities you undertake, to take advantage of its lifetime access and export facility, you are not obliged to. That will be at your discretion and we would not want to insist on duplicate effort.

Other than training arranged by Northern Bridge, what else should record in Inkpath?

Any individual activity directly arising from your studentship. For example, we expect all award-holders to report on any placements, fieldwork, impact, conference presentation, and specific training, etc., you have received funding to undertake, via Northern Bridge. You can do this via the home screen in Inkpath and Create Activity, where you’ll find a number of Activity Type options to choose from. You can mark these as Private, but reporting on funded individual activities is mandatory and, if not via Inkpath, you will be asked to provide a report for AHRC Annual Reporting purposes.

Is my data safe?

Yes, and your data is yours. Inkpath are fully compliant with General Data Protection Regulation and, in that respect, act as a ‘data processor’ for any personal data about you provided by you or by the Northern Bridge Consortium. To allay concerns, we strongly suggest you read their Privacy Policy at: https://www.app.inkpath.co.uk/law/privacy_policy

Website: www.inkpath.co.uk

Twitter: @InkpathUK

Facebook: @InkpathUK

There are a range of user training material published via the Inkpath website with video content hosted on Vimeo:

Teaser video (Sam’s Journey): https://www.inkpath.co.uk/for-students-and-researchers/#video-sams-journey

New user induction video: https://www.inkpath.co.uk/user-induction/

User support material: https://www.inkpath.co.uk/help-and-support/