Training sessions
Problem Publishers – this session looks at the ‘problem’ of so-called predatory publishers. These firms regularly approach researchers via email to solicit manuscripts and conference papers and with the increased emphasis on publishing as a measure of success it can be easy to give into temptation. This session asks whether these publishers are a problem, how to spot a potential predatory publisher or conference and the best action to take if you are approached.
Becoming a Reflective Researcher – ‘Reflective practice’ is a phrase that often makes people worry but it is just a formal term for something we all do every day. We all have an internal monologue which helps us to process our experiences, both positive and negative. Researchers and students are increasingly being asked to apply reflection to their studies, something emphasised by the key graduate outcomes of the University. But what does this actually mean? How can you use an abstract concept like reflection in your work? This session answers these questions and more. Learn about how you can use reflection to think critically about your response to information, analyse the opinions of others and bring these insights into your writing. You will also be shown how this process can help you in your everyday life – from interviews and coping with feedback through to helping you settle your thoughts at the end of a busy day. Session notes are also available.
How to Give a Terrible Presentation – many people are wary of giving presentations but they are a fact of academic life. Being able to clearly present your research to an interested audience helps with public engagement and offers the chance to make an impact. This session shares the ten most common mistakes people make when designing and delivering a presentation and offers some tips and tricks to overcome them. Session notes are also available.
Creating an Effective Research Poster – research posters are a great way to communicate your project to an interested audience, but they are not just an excuse to cram an entire article onto a single sheet of paper! This session will cover what it takes to design and present a research poster including what to include, accessibility concerns, using illustrations to make an impact and presenting both in-person and online. Session notes are also available.
Publishing Your Research in an Open World -the world of publication is changing. There are more ways to share the outputs of your research than ever before and at the same time there is an increasing emphasis on sharing these outputs openly. This session will guides researcher through the essentials of publishing and sharing research outputs (both formal and informal) to ensure maximum exposure for their work. Includes an introduction to Open Access publishing. Session notes are also available.
Promoting Yourself and Your Research – this session guides researchers through the decisions they need to make to create a promotional strategy that works for them and their work. It looks at how to build a successful online profile, where to (legally) share work and where to spend time creating a targeted campaign. Session notes are also available.
Developing Your Online Presence – creating a strong, professional online identity can help to enhance your reputation, grow your network and become part of the wider scholarly conversation. This session will discuss the various tools available to you, how to build a successful online presence and promote yourself and your work for maximum impact. Session notes are also available.
Peer Review – the formal assessment process for published academic research provides a good opportunity for researchers at any stage to get involved in the wider academic conversation. It helps you to develop skills including critical reading, giving appropriate feedback and can help to enhance your own academic writing to improve your chances at publication. This session will outline the different types of peer review, how to get involved in the process, what typical reviews look for and how you can use this activity to enhance your professional reputation. Session notes are also available.
Short guides
Short videos