August is a very exciting month in the PG calendar because we have our 3 Minute Thesis finals event on August 4th! If you haven’t registered, be sure to do so… we’ll watch the finalists’ videos, vote for the Audience Choice winner, and share some delicious kai. You can attend in person or watch via live stream.
A huge thank you to those of you who have submitted an abstract for the PG Research Symposium! We are currently conducting academic reviews of all abstracts, and you should hear back from the Graduate Research School very soon (if you haven’t already). You may be asked to approve some minor changes or make some revisions; here’s some guidance on the process for that.
We are also preparing for AUT Research Week / Te Wiki Rangahau on 4-8 September (including that PG Research Symposium on the 8th), so don’t forget to check out the programme below and register for your choice of events.
The Research Writing Group is holding a meeting on August 14th from 12pm to 1pm at the Newsfeed cafe. During this session, they will focus on how to prepare for attending conferences, including valuable insights on writing effective abstracts. This is a great opportunity to enhance your research writing skills, interact with like-minded individuals, and expand your network. Whether you’re a seasoned researcher or just starting, everyone is welcome to join.
For other workshops and happenings in August, read on! You’ll notice some great new workshops from our friends at Te Mātāpuna AUT Library this month too – including several new titles on research impact and publishing that are especially helpful for those wanting to get their research out into the world.
Postgraduate Research Workshops in August
| What? | Where? | When? |
|---|---|---|
| *NEW* EndNote Q&A This drop-in session provides an opportunity for you ask questions of our Research Services Librarians related to using the EndNote software for your research. Come with your query! Questions will be answered by librarians on a first-come, first-served basis. | Online | Thu 3 Aug, and Wed 16 Aug, and Tue 28 Aug, 12:00pm – 12:45pm |
| Connecting your research Explores how writers use language to connect to both past and future research. Participants will have time to analyse examples relevant to them and practice using common language patterns to clearly show readers how new research fits in to the wider field. | Online and City campus | Thu 3 Aug, 5:30pm – 7:30pm and Tue 29 Aug, 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
| EndNote for researchers This workshop covers best practice, using EndNote 20 reference management software. Learn how to create, customise and populate your EndNote library; organise your EndNote library; use EndNote with Word; and back up your EndNote library. Please ensure you install EndNote on your device before attending the workshop. Knowledge of the referencing style you use (e.g. APA style) is essential. | City campus | Mon 7 Aug, 12:00pm – 1:30pm |
| *NEW* Growing your research impact Research impact is important. It defines the way in which your research influences and creates benefits to society, the environment, culture and innovation. This Library workshop provides practical tips for growing your research impact. Learn how to plan for research impact (your impact goals, pathway and engagement strategy); make your research accessible to everyone and easy to find; and communicate your research findings effectively. | Online | Mon 7 Aug, 4:30pm – 5:30pm |
| Systematically searching for health literature This Library workshop will take you through the literature searching process: developing a search strategy, searching health databases in a systematic way, and best practices for recording and managing results. Participants will have a chance to practise and ask questions. | Online | Tue 8 Aug, 12:00pm – 1:30pm |
| Tools for editing your writing Introduces ProWritingAid as a tool for editing. Focuses on using statistics to examine draft writing. These statistics are related to choices about paragraph structure, and where to condense your writing or elaborate. Participants will have time to use the tool to edit their own work. | Online | Tue 8 Aug, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
| *NEW* Publishing for postgraduates and early career researchers This Library workshop is designed to guide you through the process of finding relevant publications for your research. Understand elements of a publishing strategy; use databases and online tools to find relevant journals to publish in; and evaluate journals for suitability and quality. There will be opportunities for you to practice and ask questions. | Online | Wed 9 Aug, 12:00pm – 1:30pm |
| Thesis writing: Conclusions An overview of the structure of a Conclusion section of a thesis. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of this section in relation to the whole research project. Participants analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to their own writing. | City campus | Wed 9 Aug, 1:00pm – 3:00pm |
| Finding scholarship funding for postgraduate studies This workshop will show you how to search for and find various scholarship and research funding avenues and receive tips on how to draft up an application for external funding. There are different sources of funding for every postgraduate course and for every type of candidate. | Online | Wed 9 Aug, 1:00pm – 2:00pm |
| Thesis writing: Discussions An overview of the structure of discussion sections within a thesis. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of this section in relation to the whole research project. Participants analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to their own writing. | Online | Thu 10 Aug, 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
| Literature searching for postgraduate research This Library workshop will take you through an advanced literature searching process: developing a search strategy, using different search techniques and best practices for recording and managing results. Participants will have a chance to practise and ask questions. | Online | Thu 10 Aug, 12:00pm – 1:30pm |
| Thesis formatting: BYO text This practical, computer-based workshop is designed for research students who have started writing their dissertation/thesis in Microsoft Word and are having problems formatting their document. Learn the solutions to your issues and ways to prevent future problems. Note: You are encouraged to bring your work along; get hands-on assistance by solving your dilemmas. | City campus | Sat 12 Aug, 9:00am – 1:00pm |
| Writing about research significance Explores where and how you can make your research findings stand out. Participants will consider ‘what matters’ and ‘who cares’ and where this information goes across a thesis or research output. | Online | Mon 14 Aug, 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
| CV, cover letter & job interview tips for academic roles Getting a job in academia is hugely competitive. If you want to stand a chance of succeeding, you’ve got to stand out. This workshop can help you understand what you should be adding to your CV or articulating in a job interview for a role in the academic world. | Online | Tue 15 Aug, 1:00pm – 3:00pm |
| Getting started with library research A Library workshop for new AUT postgrads or those returning to study. We aim to give you a good understanding of the types of resources available from the Library and databases and/or search engines you may use in your literature research. | Online | Tue 15 Aug, 5:30pm – 7:00pm |
| Postgrad students wellness toolkit session: Sleep This session covers sleep and the impact of stress on sleep. Poor sleep can negatively affect your wellbeing, including physical and mental health. Inadequate sleep has been associated with lower cognitive functioning (e.g. impaired memory and attention) and academic performance. By helping you to get good sleep, the aim is to help you to enhance your academic performance and protect your overall wellbeing. | Online | Wed 16 Aug, 2:00pm – 3:00pm |
| Thesis writing: Introductions An overview of the structure of an Introduction section of a thesis. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of this section in relation to the whole research project. Participants analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to their own writing. | Online | Thu 17 Aug, 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
| CV, cover letter & job interview tips for working in industry This workshop can help you understand what you should be adding to your CV or articulating in a job interview for a job in industry. | Online | Thu 17 Aug, 1:00pm – 3:00pm |
| *NEW* Recording your research impact There are several resources and tools you can use to keep track of your research outcomes and impact in its various forms. This workshop will explore how ‘traditional metrics’ (found in the databases of Scopus, Google Scholar, and Dimensions) and alternative metrics (as found in Altmetric Explorer and Overton) can be used to evaluate your publications’ impact. | Online | Fri 18 Aug, 12:00pm – 1:30pm |
| Writing clear and persuasive arguments Considers fundamental differences between writing descriptively and persuasively. Participants will look closely at why some arguments are easy to follow. | Online | Tue 22 Aug, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
| *NEW* What’s so good about open access? What’s so good about open access? 72% more citations is just one answer! To find out more, join the Research Services librarians as they demystify the jargon and confusing rules around open access and explain how you too can reap the benefits of publishing openly. | Online | Wed 23 Aug, 12:00pm – 1:00pm |
| Bringing in literature Discusses writing strategies and reasons for bringing in past research to support your own arguments. Participants will practice precise language that changes the extent to which you may agree or disagree with the views of others. | City campus | Wed 23 Aug, 12:00pm – 2:00pm |
| Thesis writing: Literature reviews An overview of the structure of literature reviews within a thesis. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of this section in relation to the whole research project. Participants analyse, discuss and relate text examples to their own writing. Systematic reviews are not covered. | Online | Thu 24 Aug, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
| Communicating your research identity Focuses on thinking through who you are as a researcher for the purpose of generating and refining content for research profiles and considering where to publish. Suited to doctoral and non-doctoral students (masters, honours) who want to develop and communicate their research identity. | Online | Tue 29 Aug, 5:30pm – 7:30pm |
