Are you close to a full draft of your book, article, or thesis chapter? Does it resemble a baggy monster that needs taming? If so, this workshop is for you. Through activities and tutorials, you’ll learn techniques for getting your writing into shape. After the workshop, you will have a polished chunk of writing and a clear strategy for tackling the rest of your publication.

Each topic comprises a facilitator-led tutorial and discussion, followed by an opportunity for participants to apply the learning on their own writing. Everyone swaps drafts during the final session to practice giving and receiving constructive feedback.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Know how much time you need for editing
• Improve your structure
• Learn to signpost your argument
• Learn maintaining consistency, clarity and connections
• Manage wrangling with grammar and style
• Proofread your own work
• Solicit and implement feedback

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the mid-late stage of their degree and from all disciplines, and ECRs (research assistants, postdoctoral reaearchers and research fellows) from all disciplines.

Workshop feedback

• "Thank you for organising this workshop and for being very accessible pre-session for my questions and concerns."

About the facilitators

This workshop is led by Dr Fawzia Haeri Mazanderani, Associate Faculty (Education), and Dr Perpetua Kirby, Lecturer in Childhood and Youth (Education).

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

Literature searching is an essential part of postgraduate research. This workshop explores how to effectively apply search strategies and techniques to online databases in order to find the most relevant literature to support your research. Using open access resources as well as the multidisciplinary databases Scopus and Web of Science, and discipline focused resources as examples, the facilitators will demonstrate effective search techniques and discuss the development of literature searching strategies for postgraduate research projects.

This session includes opportunities to develop and test your own search methods.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• Learnt effective strategies for constructing and refining literature searches
• Applied those techniques to Scopus, Web of Science, CORE, DOAJ and other, discipline specific databases
• Explored resources offered on both subscription and open access publication models
• Had the opportunity to run your own searches with guidance from Library Research and Open Scholarship team staff
• Learnt effective technqiues for keeping up-to-date with newly published research

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their research degree and from all disciplines.

About the facilitators

The Library Research Support team support researchers at all levels across the University.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

Literature searching is an essential part of postgraduate research and this workshop, by following on from Part 1, takes a less structured approach to search startegies and considers the connections which are made between authors and papers, normally in the form of citations. Come and find out how tools like Research Rabbit and Connected Papers are using AI to help you discover and visualise networks of papers and co-authorships, curate collections and stay up-to-date.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• An understanding of the benefits and limitations of unstructured searching
• Learnt effective strategies for undertaking literature seraching based on citations
• Applied these technqiues to ResearchRabbit, Semantic Scholar and Connected Papers

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their research degree and from all disciplines.

About the facilitators

The Library Research Support team support researchers at all levels across the University.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event. 

What is open research and why does it matter? This workshop will look at the concept of open research, and explore opportunities for implementing open research principles into your own practice. Content will include open access publishing, open data, open science, open source software, open peer review and tools and techniques for the discovery of open access materials.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• Developed an awareness of the principles of open research
• Explored opportunities to implement open research principles into your own research practice
• Identified resources to aid the discovery of open access materials

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers at all stages and from all disciplines, and ECRs from all disciplines, broadly encompassing research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and research fellows at grades 6-8.

About the facilitators

The Library Research Support team support researchers at all levels across the University. They offer bookable one-to-one sessions tailored to suit your specific research needs, run various group training workshops, and organise seminars and events to engage with the research community on campus. Together with the Hive Scholars, the team also look after the Sussex Research Hive, the Library's dedicated space for researchers.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

This hands-on workshop will help you to stay organised and reference accurately using Zotero. You will learn how to add items to your Zotero Library, how to start creating collections, how to automatically add citations from Zotero to your work, and more.This session will focus on using Zotero to reference common academic sources: journal articles, books and book chapters.

Important: there is an expectation that attendees will have made an account with Zotero and installed the desktop app, the web importer and the Word plug-in. For guidance on these steps, see the Getting Setup section of the Library's Zotero guide.
We will not be covering these setup activites during the session.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• Learnt how to add items to your Zotero library
• Learnt how to create collections
• Learnt how to add citations from Zotero into your work

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their research degree and from all disciplines.

About the facilitators

The Library Research Support team support researchers at all levels across the University. They offer bookable one-to-one sessions tailored to suit your specific research needs, run various group training workshops, and organise seminars and events to engage with the research community on campus.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event. 

Writing a data management plan (DMP) is useful for researchers in all disciplines. Research data is produced by most projects, and can be anything: interview recordings, sensor data, economic models and more. A DMP covers how data will be collected, organised, managed, stored, secured, backed-up, preserved, and where applicable, shared. Writing a DMP will help you to anticipate any challenges for working with your data and make the research process much smoother.

Learning outcomes

This workshop will introduce you to the essential elements of a DMP, covering:

• What is a DMP and how can it help you?
• What are the core elements of a DMP and how can you start to write one?
• Using DMPOnline to structure your DMP
• Resources to inform the content of your DMP

We will allow some time for you to start your own DMP.

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers at all stages and from all disciplines, and ECRs from all disciplines, broadly encompassing research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and research fellows at grades 6-8.

About the facilitators

This session is run by the Library Digital Development and Systems team who support researchers with their research data management.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

How safe is your research data? What would happen if you lost it all? This session will help you consider how to keep your research data organised and secure.

Learning outcomes

This workshop will cover:

• File naming conventions and organisational approaches
• Planning for back-ups to avoid data loss
• Security pros and cons of different storage options
• Working practices to avoid security breaches

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers at all stages and from all disciplines, and ECRs from all disciplines, broadly encompassing research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and research fellows at grades 6-8.

Workshop feedback

• "Brilliant. Comprehensive overview presented in a non-threatening and non-scary manner"
• "Easy to understand - thank you"

About the facilitator

This session is run by the Library Digital Development and Systems team who support researchers with their research data management.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

Qualitative data has rich potential for re-use in future research, but it can be challenging to navigate routes for data sharing. This session will support attendees with data management planning that will help embed consideration of data sharing principles throughout the research process.

Learning outcomes

We will look at:

• best practice in using consent forms and participant information sheets to seek consent for data sharing
• an overview of options for sharing qualitative data, including using embargos or restricted access

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers at all stages and from all disciplines, and ECRs from all disciplines, broadly encompassing research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and research fellows at grades 6-8.

About the facilitators

This session is run by the Library Digital Development and Systems team who support researchers with their research data management.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one day before the event.

Are you struggling to get started with your academic writing? Or have you hit a block? If so, this intensive one-day writing retreat can help you get back on track and make significant progress with your chapter, article or book. You get the time and space to focus. With guidance from an experienced facilitator, you’ll set realistic goals and achieve them in a supportive environment.

It's important to note this is an intensive writing environment and the focus is on productivity, not on style. If you want more general help with improving your academic writing, one of the RDP writing sessions would be more appropriate for you.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the retreat you will have:

• a better understanding of your writing process and habits
• strategies for improving your focus
• techniques for planning and measuring progress
• a peer group
• a big chunk of writing!

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers at all stages and from all disciplines, and ECRs from all disciplines, broadly encompassing research assistants, postdoctoral researchers and research fellows.

About the facilitators

This retreat is facilitated by Dr Emily Danvers, Dr Fawzia Haeri Mazanderani, Dr Rebecca Webb, and Dr Perpetua Kirby from the School of Education and Social Work.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

This session provides advice and guidance on a variety of approaches to writing a thesis. As well as content on planning and structures, there will be space to write and to reflect together as part of a supportive writers' network.

This practical workshop is suitable for postgraduate researchers who are at any stage, but some of the guidance will be geared towards those in the latter stages of thesis construction.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Appreciate the requirements and elements of a postgraduate thesis
• Reflect on what you've already achieved, set goals for the next steps and feel energised about the next stages of writing
• Receive guidance on a variety of approaches to structuring the content of your thesis
• Share tips for planning and scheduling the writing (and finishing) of your thesis

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the early-mid stage of their research degree and from any Arts and Humanities or Social Science discipline.

Workshop feedback

• "Calming! Good ideas for planning and thinking about how to structure thesis and overcome problems"
• "The whole workshop was extremely useful"
• "Tips, techniques and websites to write, edit, and motivate"

About the facilitators

This workshop is facilitated by Dr Emily Danvers, Dr Fawzia Haeri Mazanderani, Dr Rebecca Webb, and Dr Perpetua Kirby from the School of Education and Social Work.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

This session provides advice and guidance on a variety of approaches to writing a thesis. As well as content on planning and structures, there will be space to write and to reflect together as part of a supportive writers' network.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Learn to appreciate the requirements and elements of a postgraduate research thesis
• Have receive guidance on a variety of approaches to structuring the content of your thesis
• Reflect on what you've already achieved, set goals for the next steps and feel energised about the next stages of writing

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the early-mid stage of their research degree and from any Sciences discipline.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

The viva can be a daunting experience for which you need to be well-prepared. This workshop will de-mystify the viva process and requirements, and provide you with useful guidance on preparing for the big day. You'll also hear examples of real questions and experiences from recent successful vivas across different Schools, and benefit from the opportunity to participate in a mock viva.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Understand the viva process and possible outcomes
• Have received practical guidance on familiarising yourself with your thesis and preparing for potential questions
• Have gained useful insights on what to expect and how to get ready for your viva

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the mid-late stage of their research degree and from any Arts and Humanities or Social Science discipline.

Workshop feedback

• "It was incredibly useful!"
• "Very useful handouts and extra readings"
• "The workshop was very useful. Brilliant!"

About the facilitator

This workshop is facilitated by Dr Martin Brown, from the School of Education and Social Work.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

The viva can be a daunting event for postgraduate researchers. This workshop will de-mystify the viva process rules and requirements and provide you with useful guidance about how you can prepare for the big day throughout your PGR journey. You will also learn how to craft effective preparation questions that fit your PGR project, receive tips on how to interact with your examiners, and benefit from an opportunity to participate in a mock viva..

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Understand the viva process and possible outcomes
• Have received practical guidance on familiarising yourself with your thesis and preparing for potential questions.
• Have gained useful insights on what to expect and how to get ready for your viva.

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the mid/late stage of their research degree from any Science discipline.

Workshop feedback

• "Useful information about the viva process and how it is seen by the different participants (student / examiners)"

About the facilitator

This workshop is designed and delivered by Dr Ronald Grau, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence (Informatics), from the School of Engineering and Informatics

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

The literature review forms a substantial part of your postgraduate thesis and is also an ongoing process. Through clear examples, individual exercises, and group discussion, this workshop gets you started with your review. You will also receive guidance from the Library's Research Support team to help you with your literature searching.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Understand the purpose of the literature review and the process behind it
• Have developed your research questions and identified keywords
• Have discovered the tools available for your literature search and techniques for effective notetaking

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their research degree from any Arts and Humanities or Social Science discipline.

Workshop feedback

• "So clear and structured and relevant. The examples of critical writing etc. were particularly helpful and I loved the verb cheat sheet"
• "Has given me a lot more confidence before starting my review and fuller research plan. Should be a required session for new researchers! Thanks a lot"
• "Lots of practical resources and good explanations on how to use them"

About the facilitator

This workshop is designed and delivered by Dr Sophie Valeix, Digit Centre Administrator (Management) at the University of Sussex Business School.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

There are many ways to write a review article, but all ways require understanding review methodology and purpose. This workshop focuses on the differences between narrative, scoping, and systematic reviews, and how to select and deliver the one that best suits your research question. Also, searching techniques will be covered by the Library.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Understand when a narrative/scoping/systematic review is appropriate to address your research question.
• Gain knowledge concerning the different methodologies used in each of the above review types.
• Learn how and why to pre-register your review.

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers in the early stages of their research degree from any Science discipline.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.

Your researcher profile enhances the visbility of your research by bringing your research activities and publications together in one place.

Elements is the University of Sussex's system for capturing and reporting on a wide range of research-related outcomes and activities, enabling you to maintain an up-to-date researcher profile. The workshop will demonstrate how to build your Elements profile to showcase your research, professional and teaching activities and as well as ORCiD, Google Scholar and other researcher profile tools.

Please note this workshop is not relevant to PGRs based in BSMS.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• An awareness of the benefits of an up-to-date researcher profile
• Learnt how to manage your Elements profile
• Learnt how to claim and create publication records and deposit manuscripts to the repository
• Learnt how to capture information about professional and teaching activities
• Identified other researcher profile tools

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers at all stages and from all disciplines.

About the facilitators

The Library Research Support team support researchers at all levels across the University.

Booking information

For online workshops, the link to join the session will be shared to your Sussex email address one working day before the event.