Category Archives: Research productivity

How is your thesis writing going?

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row of students writingIt is the start of the academic year, summer is over and the University is again buzzing with students. For us in the LDC Development team, this is an exciting time of year. We have a great new programme of workshops and webinars lined up and are looking forward to meeting lots of interesting PGRs, both familiar faces and new.

Many of us find it difficult to keep up the motivation for writing during a busy academic year. You may have teaching responsibilities to manage, or you may be busy with experiments or data collection. Or maybe just the long nights and gloomy days are getting you down. Joining a community of writers to share both successes and frustrations, and cheer each other on can help.

For our programme this academic year, we have added even more support for thesis writing. Based on the success of our summer writing retreats, we have added a series of monthly mini writing retreats. These are a great way of keeping your thesis writing (or other writing) progressing through the year. They provide time and space for writing, but crucially also moral support and motivation to keep writing. If you have never attended a writing retreat before, and are not sure what to expect, check out this brief video: https://spark.adobe.com/video/1V64D

The first mini writing retreat is scheduled for 24th October. Follow this link for details and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mini-writing-retreat-registration-49939016944

And if you like the idea of writing retreats, check out the programme for WriteFest18. During November, also known as Academic Writing Month, we will have writing retreats scheduled every week along with a full programme of writing related workshops – a veritable Festival of Writing!

WriteFest 2018

Postgraduate Researcher Week –25-29 June 2018

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Postgraduate Researcher Week is a University-wide event that offers a variety of sessions running throughout the five days, 25-29 June 2018

Full list of Events

All events take place on Liverpool Campus, with the exception of the two Writing Retreats (26th and 27th June).

The planned events  cover a wide range of subjects and offers many opportunities for networking with other PGRs. We have two events led by postgraduate researchers:

Improvisation in the workplace – a tool for research  – 9:30-12:30  26th June
– a new event to help you explore improvisation techniques to help you make decisions on the spot and under time pressure. The event aims to be both enjoyable and provide confidence and team-building skills.

Support for PGRs – Have Your Say! – 2-3:30 pm 27th June  – an informal group discussion on the challenges involved in doing a PhD, to explore options for creating peer support groups in the coming year. All PGRs are welcome to come to  room 4 of the Faculty suite, Central Teaching hub – please register to receive an email reminder.

Further sessions in Researcher week include:

  • Introductory events for those new to the University;
  • Popular sessions from previous researcher weeks covering  ‘How to work with your Supervisor‘, ‘Planning your Final Year’,  ‘Viva Survivor’ and guidance to help you develop Evidence reviews;
  • A session on ‘Writing Targeted Grant Proposals’;
  • A visit from the library and talks on data access and Liverpool elements;
  • A tour of the Guild.

Find out more and register on the LDC Intranet site

Connect with us at #ldcpgrweek.

Making the Most of your PhD

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Workshops to help you devise strategies to manage your research and professional development.

Upcoming workshops from the LDC Development Team will help you take action to manage your personal and professional development and to develop your research productivity.

 

 

Click on the titles below for further information and registration.

Developing Mindsets and Taking Action

Practical Thinking for Researchers            22 May, 9:15 – 16:30

Gaining Confidence as a Researcher         30 May, 10:00 – 16:30

Coaching for Researchers                                                           2 June, 9:30 – 16:30

Problem Solving and Decision Making for Researchers             5 June, 9:15 – 16:30

Improving your Social Wellbeing as a Researcher                     20 June, 10:00 – 16:30

Time Management & Motivation for Postgraduate Researchers

21 June 13:30 – 16:30                                    21 June, 9:30 – 12:30

 

Developing your Productivity

Planning and Preparing an Effective Research Presentation     23 May, 9:30 – 12:30

Writing a Scientific Article                                                                19 June, 9:30 – 12:30

Getting your Work Published                                                         19 June, 13:30 – 16:30

Introduction to Project Management                                              14 June, 9:15 – 16:30

Writing Targeted Grant Proposals                                                  28 June, 9:30 – 16:30

External presenters and new workshops coming in May and June

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In May and June the LDC Development team  have invited a number of external presenter to deliver workshops in several specialised subjects. These include a repeat of many well-received workshops offered in previous years to further develop your techniques in research thinking and problem-solving, prepare your writing for publication, writing grant proposals and building an academic career.

 ——–        Full LDC Development Timetable            ——–

May: The workshops for May currently open for booking include:

Practical Thinking for Researchers Dr Adrian West 22nd May 09:15 – 16:30
Getting your Work Published Dr Jen Allanson 08th May 13:30 – 16:30
Building a Successful Academic Career Dr Jen Allanson 08th May 09:30 – 12:30

Save the date:  We have the following workshops planned for June; booking will open at the start of May. (Note: * indicates a half day workshop.)

Problem Solving and Decision Making for Researchers Dr Adrian West 5th June
Introduction to Project Management Dr Fraser Robertson 14th June
Writing a Scientific Article * (am) Dr Jen Allanson 19th June
Getting your work published * (pm) Dr Jen Allanson 19th June
Writing targeted grant proposals Dr Pete Moore 29th June

New LDC Development Workshops

During this period, the LDC Development team is  offering some new full day and half- day workshops as follows

Problem-solving with LEGO® Serious Play® 02nd May 12:30 – 16:30
Planning and Preparing an Effective Research Presentation 23th May 09:30 – 12:30
Gaining Confidence as a Researcher Using Design Thinking 30th May 10:00 – 16:30
Improving your Social Wellbeing as a Researcher using Design Thinking 20th June

We are also providing a further offering of sought-after sessions on Thesis Writing and workshops and webinars to help you prepare for your career. See LDC Development Timetable for details and booking information.

Expand your Facilitation Skills and join our paid Developer Tutor Scheme

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The LDC Development Team offer a series of workshops to help you develop skills in facilitation. Facilitation skills can help you manage meetings and work with others, particularly if you work in teams, work with people as part of your research or have take part in public engagement. Such skills are also extremely useful for your future career.

These workshops also form part of our Development Tutor Scheme, which is open to all postgraduate researchers at Liverpool in the second year onwards of their degree. The scheme provides both training and practise in experiential teaching, and includes paid teaching opportunities within the LDC Programme and the support to help you develop your own workshops or webinars.

The workshops are as follows and are open to all researchers, whether or not you join the tutor scheme:

Webinar: Introduction to Facilitation*     21st March  12:30 -13:30

Asking Good Questions as a Facilitator  11th April  13:00 – 15:00

Becoming a Facilitator   16th May  13:00 – 15:00

Facilitating Meetings       23rd May  13:00 – 15:00

Designing & Facilitating Experiential Learning Exercises   6th June    13:00 – 15:00

Designing & Facilitating Development Workshops   7th June   13:00 – 15:00

*Note: Attendance at the webinar is recommended prior to  attendance at the other workshops.

Further information and registration for the Development Tutor Scheme can be viewed on our website https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/pgr-development/offering/tutors/ and applications are welcome throughout the year.

LDC Development Team