Target audience:

Postgraduate researchers at all stages and from all disciplines.

Workshop description: 

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. By the end of the workshop, you will have a polished chunk of writing and a clear strategy for tackling the rest of your publication.

We’ll cover:

• How much time do you need for editing?
• Improving your structure
• Signposting your argument
• Maintaining consistency, clarity and connections
• Wrangling with grammar and style
• Proofreading your own work
• Soliciting and implementing feedback

Attendees need to bring a printed copy of their draft (article, or thesis/book chapter) and a laptop.

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 a draft during the final session to practice giving and receiving constructive feedback.

About the facillitaor:

This workshop is led by Dr Fawzia Haeri Mazanderani, Associate Faculty (Education), and Dr Perpetua Kirby, Lecturer in Childhood and Youth (Education), from the School of Education and Social Work

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers in the early stages from all disciplines.

Workshop description: 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 the multidisciplinary databases Scopus and Web of Science as examples, the facilitators will demonstrate effective search techniques and discuss the development of literature searching strategies for PGR projects. This session includes time to develop and test your own search methods – please bring a computer with you if you’d like to do so.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop you will have:

• Learnt effective strategies for constructing and refining searches in Scopus and Web of Science
• Applied those techniques to other, discipline specific databases
• Had the opportunity to run your own search with guidance from Library Research Support Team staff

Workshop feedback:

• "Gave me more ideas on how to refine my search. I actually found 10 articles which were directly related to my current research!"
• "Really helpful and personable workshop leaders"
• "Confirmed what I know and told me things I didn't know, which will improve my practice"

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. 

Target audience:

 Postgraduate researchers at all stages and from all disciplines.

Workshop description: 

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

• An awareness of the principles of open research
• Explored opportunities to implement open research principles into your own research practice
• An awareness of the tools available to aid the discovery of open access materials

Workshop feedback:

• "Excellent"
• "As someone who didn't know much about Open Access before, this workshop not only introduced me to the concept of Open Access publishing itself, but thoroughly took us through the ways in which we could do it ourselves"

Find out more about Open Access for researchers. 

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, & organise seminars & 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.

Target audience: 

Postgraduate researchers at early to mid stages from all disciplines. Research staff are also welcome to book a place to attend this workshop.

Workshop description: 

Reference management tools enable you to create a personal database of references relevant to your work. These tools can help you gather bibliographic data from a range of sources, organise and manage this data, cite references in your writing and generate bibliographies.

There are a number of software options available, and choosing the right reference management tool for you will depend on your personal preferences and technical requirements. This session will outline the principles behind reference managers and introduce three specific tools: Zotero, Mendeley and Endnote. The workshop will also signpost you to some self-guided training materials to enable you to set up the software of your choice.

By the end of the workshop you will:

• Understand the benefits and limitations of reference management tools.
• Be aware of the key features of three, popular reference management options.
• Know where to find sources of additional support for these reference management software tools.

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. 

Target audience: 

Postgraduate researchers at all stages from all disciplines. Research staff are also welcome to book a place to attend this workshop.

Workshop description: 

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.

About the facilitators: 

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

Read guidance from the Library on research data management

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers at all stages from all disciplines. Research staff are also welcome to book a place to attend this workshop.

Workshop description

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

Workshop feedback

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

About the facilitators

This workshop is designed and delivered by Helen Webb from the Library Research Support team.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at all stages, and early career researchers, from all disciplines.

Workshop description: 

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 RSO or RDP writing sessions would be more appropriate for you.

Refreshments are provided throughout the day but you will need to bring your own lunch.

By the end of the retreat, you’ll 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!

About the facilitators: This retreat is facilitated by Emily Danvers, Fawzia Haeri Mazanderani and Perpetua Kirby.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers in the early/ mid stage from any Arts and Humanities or Social Science discipline.

Workshop description: 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.

There is a separate workshop on Undertaking a Literature Review, and Academic Writing Retreats run each term if you want to get your head down and write in a supportive environment.

Learning outcomes: By the end of the workshop you will:

• Appreciate the requirements and elements of a postgraduet research 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

Workshop feedback:

• "Covered everything I needed -I found it very informative"
• "Great to know others are feeling and experiencing the same things as me - I feel very encouraged now"
• "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"

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early-mid stages from any Sciences discipline.

Workshop description: 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.

There is a separate workshop on Undertaking a Literature Review, and Academic Writing Retreats run each term if you want to get your head down and write in a supportive environment.

Learning outcomes: By the end of the workshop you will:

• Appreciate the requirements and elements of a postgraduate research 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

Workshop feedback:

• "Covered everything I needed -I found it very informative"
• "Great to know others are feeling and experiencing the same things as me - I feel very encouraged now"
• "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"

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the late stage from any Arts and Humanities or Social Science discipline.

Workshop description: 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 have:

• Understood the viva process and possible outcomes
• Received practical guidance on familiarising yourself with your thesis and preparing for potential questions
• Gained useful insights on what to expect and how to get ready for your viva

Workshop feedback:

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

About the facilitator: This workshop is designed and delivered by Bipashyee Ghosh

Workshop description

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 PhD journey. You will also learn how to craft effective preparation questions that fit your PhD project, receive tips on how to interact with your examiners, and benefit from an opportunity to participate in a mock viva.

By the end of the workshop, you will have:

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

Target audience

Postgraduate researchers at the late stage from any Science discipline.

Workshop feedbacks

• "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 Ronald Grau.

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stage from any Arts and Humanities or Social Science discipline.

Workshop description: The literature review forms a substantial part of your 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 have:

• Understood the purpose of the literature and the process behind it
• Developed your research questions and identified keywords
• Discovered the tools available for your literature search and techniques for effective notetaking
• Assessed different structures and critical writing styles

Workshop feedback:

• "Some really useful info on good methods for searching for sources online. And great info about literature reviews in general. Very informative!"
• "Lots of practical resources and good explanations on how to use them"
• "Today's workshop was very interesting, helpful and informative. I will recommend this workshop to other researchers"
• "So clear and structured and relevant. The examples of critical writing etc. were particularly helpful and I loved the verb cheat sheet"
• "I now feel ready to tackle this mammoth task!"
• "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"

About the facilitator: This workshop is designed and delivered by Sophie Valeix

Target audience: Postgraduate researchers at the early stages from any Science discipline.

Workshop description: 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.

Participants are asked to prepare:

• A draft of the research question they are looking to review.
• One article that is highly relevant to the research question and is likely to be included in the review.

Learning outcomes: By the end of the workshop you will be able to:

• 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.

Technical details: This workshop includes active group discussions in breakout rooms, which would benefit from having the camera and mic on. Apart from these activities, mics will be off, cameras optional.

About the facilitator: This workshop is designed and delivered by Rotem Perach