Academic

When you start a PhD, you’ve probably emerged from a taught programme, such as an undergraduate or Masters’ degree. At that level, you’re used to a lot of structure and explicit deadlines. As a doctoral researcher, though, you need to leave behind that student identity and become independent. This means assuming more responsibility as the PhD progresses. That’s the only way you can make and defend an original and significant contribution to knowledge. ...

Are you constantly overwhelmed by requests, struggling to protect time for your most important work? Or do you feel guilty every time you decline an opportunity? Academic culture often rewards saying “yes” to everything, but this approach can lead to burnout, compromised work quality, and misaligned priorities. This interactive workshop provides practical strategies for establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries in academic life. You’ll explore why saying “no” feels so difficult, examine the beliefs that drive overcommitment, and learn to distinguish between opportunities that enhance your goals and those that derail them. ...

Devised by Dr Peter Nixon, the Human Function Curve shows the relationship between pressure and performance. If there’s minimal pressure, we don’t perform; we’re just bored and understimulated.With a little more pressure, we enter our Comfort Zone. Although, as the name suggests, this feels nice, researchers won’t find new ideas by staying here too long. As the pressure mounts, we enter the Stretch Zone. This is where we want to be most of the time: it’s the sweet spot between pressure and performance. ...

You might have come across the idea of achieving a Win-Win in a situation, which maps quite neatly with the Drama Triangle. This matrix shows the four possible outcomes based on who wins or loses in a conflict or disagreement: The Win-Win Matrix If you make an unreasonable demand on your supervisor, you become a Persecutor. Although you might win in the short term because they become a Victim or Rescuer and concede to you, it’s not going to be an effective long-term solution. They’ll probably feel resentful and might then also become a Persecutor. Then you have a vampire battle on your hands. ...

Developed by Stephen Karpman, the Drama Triangle provides a social model of human interaction. Specifically, it describes the connection between personal responsibility and power in conflicts, revealing the shifting and often destructive roles people play. These roles form a ’triangle’ because people typically cycle between them, with each role triggering the others in a self-perpetuating pattern. These unhelpful behaviours occur in many situations, including supervisory relationships in the workplace. The three roles are the Victim, the Rescuer, and the Persecutor: ...

The supervisor-student relationship is one of the most important factors in PhD success, yet many researchers struggle to make it work effectively. This interactive workshop helps you build a productive professional relationship with your supervisors. You’ll explore how to establish clear expectations, communicate your needs effectively, and adapt your working relationship as you develop greater autonomy throughout your PhD journey. Through practical frameworks and group discussions, you’ll learn to navigate the transition from dependent student to independent researcher. ...

Academic writing is hard at the best of times. It’s especially challenging when there’s so much going on. With many competing priorities, we struggle to consistently make time for writing. In this interactive session, you’ll discover tools, strategies, and techniques for making writing more manageable (and even enjoyable). Whether you’re tackling a journal article, a book, or a thesis, you’ll get insights and practical tips on getting started and maintaining your momentum. ...

You’ve passed your viva and got your life back. Now everyone keeps asking, “When are you going to publish your PhD?” You’re vaguely aware of what’s involved in writing a monograph, but you’re not sure where to start. There are so many options, decisions, and conflicting experiences. What’s right for you? And, more importantly, how long will it take? This interactive workshop demystifies the process so you know exactly what’s involved at every stage. ...

Are you struggling to turn your research or thesis into journal articles? You have lots of ideas, but it’s hard converting them into a structured piece of writing. You’re so focused on the details, you can’t see the bigger picture. In this interactive and supportive session, you’ll discover essential strategies and tips to conquer writer’s block, break free from perfectionism, and unleash your creativity. With the help of an experienced facilitator, you’ll follow a 5-step plan for transforming those ideas into finished articles. ...

In this interactive session, you’ll discover how AI-powered tools can help you write faster, improve clarity, and streamline your process. From grammar and style enhancements to structural organisation, you’ll explore a wealth of possibilities. Here’s what we’ll cover: Evaluating AI-powered writing tools. Overcoming writer’s block. Capturing your ideas quickly. Improving clarity, coherence, and flow. Retaining your academic voice. You’ll also get the opportunity to try out the tools in a supportive environment. ...