March may be cooling down weather-wise, but it’s heating up research-wise with lots of activities & events for research students.
New this month: postgrad research students can now access a series of three workshops on Te Tiriti o Waitangi as it applies to research contexts:
- Part 1: Understanding the Treaty in a Research Context (March 4)
- Part 2: Putting Te Tiriti into Practice in Research Environments (March 18)
- Part 3: Research Relationships (April 1)
If you’ve ever wondered about what Te Tiriti means for your research (even if you’ve never encountered Te Tiriti before), this is a great chance to learn and gain some insight.
We look forward to welcoming those of you in Te Ara Whakamua, our doctoral careers programme, to join us from March 9th for eight weeks of intensive preparation to take your doctoral experience out into the workforce. If you didn’t get into the programme this semester (or didn’t know about it!) there will be another offering in 2027.
Finally, if you’re getting to grips with data analysis for your research in 2026, check out Research Accelerator. These self-paced training ‘resource packs’ contain lots of learnings on research methods broadly, with a particular focus on major data analysis software systems (like NVivo and SPSS). There are options curated for qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods researchers. AUT offers a limited number of free packs to doctoral students and master’s research students enrolled in a research project of 45, 60, or 90 points or more. Click here for more info or email RED@aut.ac.nz to apply for access.
Read on to see the selection of PG research workshops in March!
Postgraduate Research Workshops in March 2026
| What? | Where? | When? |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Wed 25 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| SPSS quick start SPSS is designed to assist researchers in the analysis of quantitative data, and is one of the most user-friendly and popular packages on the market today. This training course will teach participants how to successfully set-up SPSS data files and also run some basic analyses. No statistical knowledge is required for this workshop; however, the focus of the session will be on the SPSS software rather than statistical theory. | Online | Wed 4 Mar, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Treaty in Research: Understanding the Treaty in a Research Context This session builds foundational understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, why it matters in research settings, and how historical contexts, institutional structures, and personal positionality shape the research environment in Aotearoa. NB. This session is a pre-requisite for the future sessions in the series. | Online | Wed 4 Mar, 12:30 PM – 3:30 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. | Online | Wed 4 Mar, 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 | Wed 4 Mar, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM and Thu 26 Mar, 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. | City Campus and online | Thu 5 Mar, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Responsible use of AI in research This workshop will introduce a selection of popular AI tools for research, exploring their benefits and the ethical considerations associated with their use. | Online | Thu 5 Mar, 5:30 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 | Tue 10 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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 | Wed 11 Mar, 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Getting started with research 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 11 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| 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 | Wed 11 Mar, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM |
| Developing a systematic search strategy to find literature 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. Please have your research question handy so you can use it to develop and practice your search during the workshop. | Online | Thu 12 Mar, 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM and Tue 24 Mar, 5:30 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 12 Mar, 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 12 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM and Tue 31 Mar, 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 14 Mar, 10:00 AM – 3:00 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 | Mon 16 Mar, 10:00 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 your device, an article you have read recently, and a sample of your own writing. | Online | Tue 17 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
| Treaty in Research: Putting Te Tiriti into Practice in Research Environments A practice-focused course that explores what researchers and institutions need to change in their practices, systems, and decision-making to act in ways that align with Te Tiriti. The course examines power, governance, ethics, and the organisational shifts required for Treaty-referenced research, with an emphasis on readiness and understanding so researchers can approach Māori engagement appropriately, with clarity about their roles and responsibilities. Pre-requisite: ‘Treaty in Research: Understanding the Treaty in a Research Context’ | Online | Wed 18 Mar, 12:30 PM – 3:30 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 18 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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 | Wed 18 Mar, 5:30 PM – 6:30 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 | Thu 19 Mar, 5:30 PM – 6:30 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 your device, an article you have read recently, and a sample of your own writing (about past literature or discussing your research findings). | Online | Tue 24 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 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 25 Mar, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM |
| 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. | Online | Thu 26 Mar, 5:00 PM – 6:30 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 28 Mar, 10:00 AM – 2:00 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 | Mon 30 Mar, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
| Responsible use of AI in research This workshop will introduce a selection of popular AI tools for research, exploring their benefits and the ethical considerations associated with their use. | City campus | Tue 31 Mar, 12:00 PM – 1:30 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 | Tue 31 Mar, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM |
