Support for Students

Teaching and Learning

The library's Teaching and Learning team is here to support you throughout your studies. We offer a range of support to help you develop key research skills, understand how to find and use information, and make the most of the library's resources. From workshops and one-on-one sessions to online tutorials, we provide practical help tailored to your needs. Whether you're working on an assignment, a project, or just need some guidance on where to start, our team is here to help become a confident, independent researcher.

Areas supported include:

Research skills
Referencing and Reference Management Software
Research Data Management
AI Literacy
Digital Skills

Library Workshops

Library workshops are designed to help you develop essential research skills. These sessions cover a variety of topics, such as finding and evaluating reliable sources, mastering citation styles, using academic databases, and improving research strategies. Whether you're new to research or looking to enhance your skills, these workshops provide practical, hands-on experience with the tools and techniques needed for effective study and research. Led by knowledgeable library staff, these workshops are a great opportunity to ask questions, practice new skills, and connect with other students. They are a valuable resource to help you gain confidence in using the library's services and resources to their full potential.

Recent workshops include:

Researching for your Dissertation
Discovering Diverse Voices in Academic Research
Exploring Voices of Dissent: JSTOR’s Independent Voices Collection
ResearchRabbit: Mapping the Literature with AI
Referencing 101
Introduction to Zotero

Keep an eye out for upcoming events or sign up to our mailing list for alerts about upcoming workshops.

Research Skills Guides

Library research skills guides are resources designed to help you utilise library resources effectively. These guides will help yout to find and access books, journals, search effectively using library search, as well as tips on citation searching and copyright. Whether you are new to the library or looking to refine your research techniques, library research skills guides can support support your research

More guides will be added through out the year, so make sure to check back for updates.

Library One-to-One Support

If you need more personalised support, we also offer one-to-one sessions tailored to your research needs. Whether you need help with researching a topic for an assignment or dissertation, navigating our extensive resources or referencing our team is here to support you.

To book a one-to-one or small group session, fill out our booking form below.

One-to-one booking form
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(e.g. Google, JSTOR, etc)</label></dt><dd><input type="text" name="rIMpzNLaDt" id="rIMpzNLaDt" /></dd><p class="information">Training sessions last up to one hour and can be arranged to suit you. We can offer sessions from Monday to Friday from 9.00-17.00 in-person in the library or online via Zoom. Please allow 3 working days for us to reply. We will try to accommodate your preferred dates/times where possible, but this is subject to staff availability.</p><dt><label class="required" for="dGhw1pBue3">Three dates/times you are available.</label></dt><dd><textarea name="dGhw1pBue3" id="dGhw1pBue3" required="required" style="width:98%;height:10em;" class="elementTextarea"></textarea></dd><dt><label class="required">Online or in person</label></dt><dd><div class="description">The Library can offer 1-2-1s in person in the library or online. 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RLF Writing Support

As part of the Royal Literary Fund’s Fellowship Scheme, the Library hosts three professional writers who offer one-to-one tutorials during term-time for any member of the university who wishes to improve their writing. Our 2024/25 RLF Fellows are Alison MacLeod, Richard Madden and Rebecca Stott.

Our RLF Fellows can help with any aspect of the writing process, including planning, drafting, constructing an argument and editing. They are able to comment on the writing style of work in progress, allowing students to improve their work before submission.

To book an appointment, please email either Rebecca, Richard or Alison:

Monday or Tuesday appointments: rebecca.stott@rlfeducation.org.uk

Wednesday or Thursday appointments: richard.madden@rlfeducation.org.uk

Friday appointments (online only): alison.macleod@rlfeducation.org.uk

Skills Hub

A key resource to support you in developing skills for academic study is the University of Sussex Skills Hub. The library can support you with research, digital and referencing guidance, but you can also find guidance on writing, critical thinking, group work and more.

Follow the below links to find out more.

Support for Students

Teaching and Learning

Library Workshops

Research Skills Guides

Search Skills

Zoterobib

Library Search Help

Decolonisation and Anti-Racism

Zotero

Copyright

Library One-to-One Support

RLF Writing Support

Skills Hub

Sussex Skills Hub

Referencing and academic integrity

Sussex Workshops and Support