As the winter chill sets in, we amp up the heat on our PG workshop series. There are 30 workshops on offer this month, with a particular focus on reading, writing, and publishing. The popular 3-part Systematic Literature Review series from Te Mātāpuna AUT Library and Learning Services is on this month, with places currently available in all 3 sessions. There is also a 3-part series on publishing, which will help you identify which journals to target (and how to publish for free using AUT’s agreements with select publishers).
June is also a great time to connect with other students through a Research Students’ Peer Group. There are a dozen groups to choose from, catering to a broad range of interests and disciplines. These groups are a great way to find friends going through the same journey and broaden your network of scholars. They are partly academic, partly social, and very supportive!
If you’re feeling ready to get your research out into the world, don’t forget to put your name down for the 3 Minute Thesis competition and/or the Postgraduate Research Symposium! Both are accepting applications from research students who would like to present their work in these fun events. If you’d like some guidance preparing your abstract for the latter, come along to our online workshop “Writing an Abstract for a Conference or Symposium” on 18 June. Entries for both the Symposium and 3MT close on Friday 4 July.
Read on for details of this month’s workshops.
Postgraduate Research Workshops in June 2025
| What? | Where? | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Finding scholarship funding for postgraduate studies This workshop will show you how to search for and find various scholarship and research funding avenues. There are different sources of funding for every postgraduate course and for every type of candidate. | Online | Tue 3 Jun, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM |
| Publishing Part 1: Open Access – the benefits and options 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 | Tue 3 Jun, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
| Introduction to research data management (Part 1) This introductory workshop covers the basics of what is research data, its lifecycle and what it takes to have good data management. Writing a Research Data management plan (DMP) enables you to be able to describe your data and detail the appropriate storage, access, publication and sharing of it, along with any legal, ethical and funder requirements. This workshop introduces you to the world of research data, and what you should consider when planning your research project. | Online | Tue 3 Jun, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Getting started with library research Designed for new AUT postgrads or those returning to study. Learn about the types of databases and/or search engines you may use in your literature research, and techniques for searching. This workshop will cover essential library information for postgraduates, including finding grey literature, ordering an interloan, and making an appointment with your Liaison Librarian. | Online | Wed 4 Jun, 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM |
| Developing a systematic search strategy to find literature – for postgrads and staff This Library workshop will take you through a systematic literature searching process: developing a search strategy; using different search techniques; and best practices for recording and managing results. | Online | Wed 4 Jun, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM and Tue 24 Jun, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM |
| 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. We also apply knowledge from the workshop to explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. Bring your device! | Online | Wed 4 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Copilot writing lab: Using GenAI for Discussion sections Explores how we can use Copilot for aspects of the research writing process. We begin by summarising important knowledge about Discussion sections and then introduce a ‘choice map’ to outline the types of tasks we could ask Copilot to perform. Together we will craft and refine prompts and continuously critique responses. Bring your own reading and writing as we dynamically use Copilot for drafting and reflecting on research writing. | City Campus and Online | Thu 5 Jun, 10:00 AM – 11:30 PM and Tue 24 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| 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. We also apply knowledge from the workshop to explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. Bring an article you have read recently and a sample of your own writing where you are either writing about past literature or discussing your research findings. | Online | Thu 5 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Confirmation of Candidature: Q&A forum This forum is an opportunity for doctoral students to ask questions about aspects of the confirmation of candidature. Please note, you must watch the ‘Confirmation of Candidature: Processes’ and ‘Confirmation of Candidature: Presenting Well’ videos available on the PG_Me organisation on Canvas prior to attending. | Online | Fri 6 Jun, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
| Getting Started with the DMP tool (Research Data Management Part 2) Learn about AUT’s data management tool, working through the requirements step-by-step. The session is a great opportunity to start your first data management plan, continue a current one or just to have a play and learn about the tool, and the process for collecting, organising, storing and preserving your research data. We recommend attending the Introduction to research data management (Part 1) workshop first, but it is not required. | City Campus | Tue 10 Jun, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM |
| Thesis writing: Using literature to support your view 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. We also apply knowledge from the workshop to explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. Bring an article you have read recently and a sample of your own writing. | Online | Tue 10 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Thesis writing: Discussions Discusses writing strategies and choices 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. We also explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. Bring your device, plus an article you have read recently and a sample of your own writing. | Online | Wed 11 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Publishing Part 2: Finding and evaluating journals to publish in This Library workshop is designed to guide you through the process of finding relevant and credible 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. | Online | Wed 11 Jun, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Copilot writing lab: Using GenAI for research significance We begin by summarising important knowledge about arguing for the significance of your workshop and then introduce a ‘choice map’ to outline the types of tasks we could ask Copilot to perform. Together we will craft and refine prompts and continuously critique responses. Bring your own reading and writing as we dynamically use Copilot for research writing. | City Campus | Thu 12 Jun, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
| Responsible use of AI in research This workshop will introduce a range of popular AI tools and their applications in conducting research and help you to critically evaluate their uses. The session will also explore ethical and academic integrity considerations in AI use with reference to AUT’s current guidelines. | City Campus | Thu 12 Jun, 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM |
| Session 1: Systematic Literature Review (SLR) – curious! Part one of a series of three workshops exploring systematic reviews. How is a systematic review different from a literature review? Why do people have different ideas on what a SLR actually is? This workshop outlines key differences between types of literature reviews and involves activities to help you decide which one is right for you. | Online | Thu 12 Jun, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Session 2: Systematic Literature Review (SLR) – A deep dive into search techniques Building on the content covered in session one, this workshop will take you through an advanced literature searching process. Learn how to develop a search strategy, how to search databases in a systematic way, where to locate existing systematic reviews, how to create alerts and learn best practices for recording and managing results. This is an interactive session. | Online | Mon 16 Jun, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Session 3: Systematic Literature Review (SLR) – writing the introduction and method Provides an overview of the structure of introduction and method sections for a systematic literature review. Identifies typical functions and distinctive features of these sections. Participants analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to their own writing or reading. | Online | Tue 17 Jun, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Publishing Part 3: Using AUT’s Open Access Publishing Agreements Te Mātāpuna Library & Learning Services has agreements with some publishers that enables AUT authors to publish open access in some journals without paying the Article Processing Charge. Find out the context of Open Access Publishing agreements, what they are for, which publishers and journals are included, how to use the agreements, and what to watch out for! | Online | Wed 18 Jun, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Writing an abstract for a conference or symposium This workshop will cover the principles of writing an abstract for a presentation, including: defining the scope of the presentation, communicating its purpose, writing for specialist and/or educated lay audiences, fulfilling conference criteria, and responding to reviewers’ comments. Traditional and AI-assisted writing techniques are covered. | Online | Wed 18 Jun, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
| Thesis writing: Connecting results and literature review sections Examines connections between findings/results and literature review sections of a thesis or journal article. Participants will use their own work or chosen article to track how the review of literature prepares the reader for the research findings. This ‘reader’s perspective’ will also include examining language to organize or separate findings/results. We also apply knowledge from the workshop to explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. | Online | Wed 18 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Doctoral oral examination: Q&A forum This forum is an opportunity to ask questions about aspects of the doctoral oral examination. Please note, you must watch the ‘Doctoral Oral Examination: Processes’ and ‘Doctoral Oral Examination: Presenting Well’ videos available on the PG_Me organisation on Canvas prior to attending. | Online | Thu 19 Jun, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
| 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, and explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. Systematic reviews are not covered. | Online | Thu 19 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Qualitative analysis for beginners This workshop provides a focused introduction to qualitative data analysis, and will cover the key stages in the process such as data preparation, coding, and identifying patterns in your data. It is interspersed with practical tips and aims to leave attendees feeling more confident in approaching this vital—but inevitably messy—stage of the research cycle. | Online | Tue 24 Jun, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Qualitative writing for beginners This training course covers tips and tricks for writing up qualitative research, as well as techniques for getting started and keeping going. A demonstration of the writing process is also provided. There will be guidance on representation of the researcher’s voice, which can be a challenge for those new to qualitative approaches. Practical ideas for working with NVivo outputs, and effective use of verbatim extracts will also be covered. | Online | Tue 24 Jun, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM |
| Getting started with writing Focuses on strategies to help researchers digest reading in preparation for writing about what you’ve read. Try freewriting and mapping concepts as strategies to get words on the page and then create more structured writing. We will also explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. Bring your device and an article you have read recently. | City Campus | Wed 25 Jun, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
| Thesis writing: Connecting sections and chapters Explores how we can organise research writing so that our readers clearly see how paragraphs and sections connect. Participants will use the principle of ‘writing in layers’ to critically examine their own reading and writing samples. This principle can be applied to writing theses, dissertations, book chapters, and journal articles. We also apply knowledge from the workshop to explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. | Online | Wed 25 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
| Thesis writing: Highlighting 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. Bring an article you have read recently and a sample of your own writing. Suited to PG research students who already have their research findings. | Online | Thu 26 Jun, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM |
