We hope you enjoyed a fabulous September with AUT Research Week, the PG Research Symposium, and 3MT Finals giving us lots of opportunities to celebrate the wonderful world of postgraduate research!
The 3MT excitement is ongoing, with the video entry from our 3MT winner Zahraa Ozeer currently on display in the Asia-Pacific Semifinals Showcase. The Asia-Pacific finalists will be announced shortly. Good luck Zahraa!
This month we are looking forward to the AUT Doctoral Scholarship Award Ceremony in WG308 on 15 October. We will celebrate those who have been awarded an AUT Doctoral Scholarship; AUT Vice-Chancellor’s Doctoral Scholarship; or Te Aronui Postgraduate Research Scholarship (whether doctoral or master’s). This is an upbeat occasion with non-alcoholic drinks and nibbles, and lots of socialising with postgraduate students and supervisors. All are welcome to join in.
A reminder too that Rangahau Aranga: AUT Graduate Review is still seeking papers for their next issue on the theme of Auckland 2050. Check out the details here and get your submission in!
Read on for details of all the postgraduate research workshops in October.
Postgraduate Research Workshops in October 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 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 | Thu 2 Oct 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM |
| 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 2 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Systematic Review 3 – Writing the introduction and method Builds on content covered in session one and two by providing an overview of the structure of introduction and method sections for a systematic literature review. Identifies common parts and distinctive features of these sections. Participants analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to their own writing or reading. | Online | Thu 2 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Tue 21 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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 | Thu 2 Oct 2025, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM and Wed 22 Oct 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM |
| Thesis formatting: Introduction This workshop provides an introduction to Microsoft Word for academic writing. Learn formatting, editing and file management skills so that you are ready to start your thesis writing with confidence. This workshop provides an overview of MS Word for academic purposes, and is designed to answer your questions and clear up your confusion. | City Campus | Sat 4 Oct 2025, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Using literature 1: To support your view 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 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. You will need a device to participate in reading and writing activities. | Online | Tue 7 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Using literature 2: For 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 consider the way language enables us to control how much we align with other points of view. 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 (about past literature or discussing your research findings). You will need a device to participate in reading and writing activities. | Online | Wed 8 Oct 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM |
| Understanding Format 2 at AUT: Q&A forum This forum is an opportunity to ask questions about aspects of Format 2. Please note, you must watch the relevant video available on the Academic Resources page of the PG_Me organisation on Canvas within the “Research Journey” section prior to attending. | Online | Wed 8 Oct 2025, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
| Research impact – the importance of visibility and profiles This workshop covers the importance of managing research profiles and IDs. It introduces the Research Health Check form and how to use it to enhance and update profiles, increasing research visibility and impact. | Online | Wed 8 Oct 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
| Qualitative analysis for beginners Currently booked out; click through to join the waitlist 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. | City Campus | Thu 9 Oct 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 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. | City Campus | Fri 10 Oct 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
| NVivo quick start This course is targeted at researchers wanting an efficient means of handling and analysing their qualitative data. No prior knowledge of the software is assumed; however a basic understanding of qualitative analysis procedures would be helpful. | City Campus | Tue 14 Oct 2025, 9:30 AM – 4:00 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. | Online | Tue 14 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Thesis writing: Connecting results and literature review sections Provides 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. You will analyse and discuss text examples and relate these to your own writing. We also explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. | Online | Wed 15 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Systematic Review 1: An introduction What is a systematic literature review and how is it different from a literature review? Why do people use the same terminology but seem to have different ideas on what a SLR actually is? This workshop outlines key differences between types and involves activities to help you decide which one is right for you. This workshop is one of a series of three SLR workshops. Attend any one or all three. | Online | Wed 15 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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 | Thu 16 Oct 2025, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
| 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. | Online | Thu 16 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Systematic Review 2: The search process Part 2 of a three-part series. Learn advanced literature searching and search strategies; 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. | Online | Thu 16 Oct 2025, 5:30 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 | Tue 21 Oct 2025, 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM |
| Research Data Management Part 2: Getting Started with the DMP tool In this practical face-to-face library workshop, participants will 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. | City campus | Tue 21 Oct 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM |
| Interviewing skills for qualitative researchers This workshop aims to help researchers decide when interviews are suitable as a data gathering tool. It will look at the aim of interviews, what research questions they can answer and what they can’t. | Online | Tue 21 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| 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. We also apply knowledge from the workshop to explore how Copilot can assist with the research writing process. Bring your device! | Online | Wed 22 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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 | Thu 23 Oct 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Introduction to mixed methods This workshop will provide a foundational understanding of mixed methods research. Attendees will explore the key principles of mixed methods, including design strategies, implementation techniques, and methods of data interpretation. The workshop will focus on practical skills, demonstrating how to integrate different data types to address research questions effectively. | City Campus | Thu 30 Oct 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM |
