These sessions are specifically for research students (PhD, MPhil, Masters by research, EngD & those pursuing the Professional Doctorate). If you are a taught student, please refer to the appropriate courses listed under your degree.

Thesis Writing Groups

Offers regular meetings for postgraduate research students in a structured environment to write, share experiences and writing advice in groups of six.

• Thesis Writing Groups

Academic Writing Series

A yearly course starting in November and ending in July (also main part of the Research Student Skills Programme (RSSP)).

As the standard of academic writing is most advanced at postgraduate research level, you should be able to:

• critically engage with material at expert level;
• produce complex, analytical arguments;
• make substantial contribution to knowledge through your research.

Here, your writing ability needs to access aspects of

• semantics
• grammatical versatility
• detail emphasis
• lexical fluency
• coordination.

Its result should be a written product which investigates specific topics in a manner aimed towards discovery and, essentially, education of readership.

This series of practical talks and workshops covers the intricacies of writing required in an academic research-level context. It addresses all students of all disciplines.

Workshops in the series:
Understanding academic writing Elements of structure and organisation in your writing Paragraph construction: elements & transition Developing critical analysis: the cognitive domain Ordering a critical argument: the P.E.A. matrix model Reporting using critical resources: paraphrase, summary & synthesis How to write an abstract How to write a literature review	Grammatical accuracy: morphology & syntax Grammatical accuracy: syntax Revision, proofreading & editing for clarity and readability Writing to engage the reader Positioning your ideas in the research context Thesis structure Defending your argument How NOT to write: common problems and errors in academic writing

Getting It 'Out Now!': Publisher Gatekeepers and Co-Authoring/Editing

This session looks at publisher gatekeepers as standing between you and publication. We examine this relationship in respect of journal articles, books and all kinds of journalistic pieces (including radio and TV) for impact. What is the best way to navigate such a dynamic in terms of how we should present ourselves both professionally and personally? What do publishers of text and copy want? What do TV news editors and radio producers want? How and when do these stakeholders want it? What is the right way to behave for success? The session looks specifically at initial enquiries to journal editors to gauge interest (thereby avoiding futile submissions), book publisher proposal forms, and speculative pitches to journalism editors as well as handling journalistic responses in a timely manner. We deliberate the thorny decisions involved in co-authorship and consider some of the joys, benefits, difficulties and pitfalls of teaming up to write.

Dates: 28th January and 18th February. Book here via SkillsForge.

Writing Consultations for PGRs

Starting 30 October, every Tuesday 2-4.30pm. Drop-in sessions, University House

This Autumn we introduce weekly Writing Consultations for PGR’s in support of the Academic Writing Series above and, indeed, more widely. If you are a Masters by research or Phd student and would like to talk specifically academic writing, then please simply go to the Learning Grid in the University House, between 2 and 4.30pm on Tuesdays (starting 31 October.) No need to book.

A Quick Guide to Research Study and Thesis Writing for, and as, International Students

This talk focuses specifically on explaining the challenges which await PhD international students, presented from an international student’s perspective. You may think of this as part of your induction and a chance to learn about various aspects of PhD life and writing which your department may not have mentioned. It is a talk designed to make PhD experience easier, under the influence of expected cultural shock, by knowing and being prepared for certain difficulties typically experienced by international students in a new and very unfamiliar environment.
We will make sure we have 15 mins dedicated to your questions. Please bring them along.

To book please use SkillsForge