November in Auckland: the sun is peeking out in-between storms, stressed undergraduate students navigate their exam season, and strawberries are starting to be kind-of affordable. For those of us in the postgraduate research world, untethered to the semester schedule, we carry on — hopefully enjoying a few warm moments as we go.
At AUT we’re looking forward to our November PG Writers’ Retreat at Vaughan Park on Long Bay beach. This entails 3 days of focus, quiet, and writing progress with meals and accommodation provided, and advisors on site. It’s well worth going on a retreat during your programme; some participants report writing as much as 5000 words! If you’re not coming to this retreat, please keep an eye on the website for 2026 dates to be announced soon.
The wonderfully supportive Postgraduate Potluck Group (part of the Research Students’ Peer Group network) will also meet in November on the 27th, from 5:30 – 7:30pm in MB107 on the South campus. Bring a dish to share, enjoy some kai, and meet some new friends. The group will be celebrating 2025 and reflecting on the year’s progress.
As always, there are plenty of workshops on offer too! See below for this month’s round-up.
Postgraduate Research Workshops in November 2025
| What? | Where? | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot writing lab: Using GenAI for research significance of a thesis/dissertation We begin by summarising important knowledge about Discussion sections in a thesis/dissertation 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 | Tue 4 Nov 2025, 12:00 PM- 1:20 PM |
| Interviewing Skills for Qualitative Researchers This workshop looks at the aim of interviews, what research questions they can answer and what they can’t. Discover different types of interviews and when they might be employed, and learn the different styles of questioning and strategies that researchers can use to illicit the fullest answers from interviewees. | Online | Tue 4 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM |
| Thesis writing: Understanding thesis structure Discusses how the different parts of a thesis connect to each other. We will analyse examples and practice using language to clearly show how existing knowledge connects to new research, to what others may do with it in the future, and where that information gets organised across a thesis. We also apply knowledge from the workshop to 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 | Tue 4 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM- 7:00 PM |
| Copilot writing lab: Using GenAI for Discussion sections of a thesis/dissertation Explores how we can use Copilot for aspects of the research writing process. We begin by summarising important knowledge about Discussion sections in a thesis/dissertation 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 | Wed 5 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM- 6:30 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. | Online | Wed 5 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM- 7:00 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. | City campus | Thu 6 Nov 2025, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Understanding Format 3 at AUT: Q&A Forum This forum is an opportunity to ask questions about aspects of Format 3 (‘practice-oriented research’). Please note, you must watch the relevant video available on the PG_Me organisation on Canvas prior to attending. | Online | Thu 6 Nov 2025, 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM |
| 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 | Tue 11 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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 | Tue 11 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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. | City campus | Wed 12 Nov 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 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 | Wed 12 Nov 2025, 5:00 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 12 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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. | City campus | Thu 13 Nov 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 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 13 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Thesis formatting: The works This workshop focuses on the best ways to use Microsoft Word to handle a long document such as a thesis. Topics covered will include: using styles, section breaks, table of contents, page numbering and using various techniques to move around a long document easily. | City campus | Sat 15 Nov 2025, 9:00 AM – 2:00 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 | Tue 18 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Using literature 3: for 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. 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 | Wed 19 Nov 2025, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| 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 29 Nov 2025, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
