Training

Are you still wondering, “What on earth is a literature review?” You know it forms a substantial chunk of your thesis, but you haven’t yet managed to get started. A well-executed literature review is essential for explaining the context for your thesis, identifying gaps, and establishing your original contribution. However, knowing where to begin and how to plan your approach can feel overwhelming. You’ll learn how to critically evaluate the sources you’ve already gathered, synthesise information from multiple texts to build coherent arguments, and present your findings in a clear, structured way that demonstrates your understanding of the field. ...

Are you part-way through your PhD and wondering how to keep going? Do you need a push to progress to the final stages? Perhaps you’re unsure what happens next or what’s expected of you. It’s common to lose a sense of direction and momentum in the tricky middle part of your doctorate. This interactive workshop is designed to get you focused and motivated. You’ll learn lots of practical tips to support you in all areas of your PhD, including research, writing, time management, communication, and wellbeing. ...

Do you spend hours trying to find the source of that really important paper? Are you despairing at the thought of compiling your bibliography? Perhaps you have already a referencing tool, but it’s not right for you. You need Zotero! In this interactive demonstration, you’ll learn all about Zotero, a free tool for organising and citing references. With the help of an experienced facilitator, you’ll assess Zotero’s features and find out how it can support your workflow. ...

Are you starting to wonder, “What else can I do with my PhD?” You’ve invested years in developing specialised expertise, but you’re curious about opportunities outside the traditional academic path. A PhD equips you with a unique combination of research skills, critical thinking abilities, and subject matter expertise that are highly valued across many industries. However, translating your academic experience into language that resonates with non-academic employers can be challenging. ...

Are you horrified by the thought of confronting your own work? Have you left it to the last minute, secretly hoping it’s better than you think? Although editing feels overwhelming, it’s much easier when you adopt a systematic approach and develop a structured plan. Through activities and tutorials, this interactive workshop provides you with a clear strategy for turning that messy draft into a structured piece of writing. With the help of an experienced facilitator, you’ll break the process down into more manageable chunks. You’ll also get the opportunity to apply the techniques to a piece of writing. ...

Narrative CVs are gaining popularity as a way for researchers to showcase a wider range of skills and experience in grant applications. But what is a narrative CV? And how does it differ from a traditional CV? This interactive workshop demystifies and simplifies the process of writing a narrative CV. Through discussion, activities, and examples, you’ll learn how best to present your research story. By the end of the session, you’ll be able to: ...

As your research career progresses, you’ll increasingly find yourself managing teams, juggling multiple projects, and navigating complex relationships. This workshop is designed for researchers who are already comfortable with the fundamentals of project management and are ready to tackle the challenges of academic leadership roles. With the help of an experienced facilitator, you’ll explore the transition from individual contributor to research leader, developing your leadership style while building effective research teams. Through case studies and group discussions, you’ll learn to handle stakeholder demands and manage competing priorities that characterise complex academic projects. ...

Do you spend hours searching for relevant literature? Do you feel like you’re always playing catch-up? In this interactive session, you’ll explore tools and techniques designed to accelerate your research process. Learn how to harness the power of generative AI to find the most relevant material, save time, and make significant progress with your project. We’ll cover: Understanding and assessing AI-powered tools. Identifying and refining your research questions. Finding and evaluating literature. Synthesising and summarising literature. Considering the ethical implications of AI-powered research tools. You’ll also get the opportunity to try out the tools in a supportive environment. ...