All Schools of Physical Sciences & Technology courses

« Description not available »

Achieving clarity in writing is not just about what’s written on the page – that is merely the final stage in a long and complex process. It actually starts with the interpretation of the question… From a linguistic perspective writing is actually rather straightforward, but the clarity of the ‘end product’, particularly in academic writing, is very much dependent on the clarity of all the stages that precede it. This session will examine this process and explores strategies to help you improve the clarity of your writing.

This interactive and intensive one-day course is intended for PhD students in their first year. You will look at practical ways to increase your effectiveness and meet the challenges of your PhD. The programme covers:

• Looking at your PhD as a project
• Working with other people
• Managing your relationship with your supervisor

This course will take a complete look at the final year of your PhD. From the core elements of the thesis and viva and the often forgotten administrative tasks that must get done, on to looking at who you have become and what career path you may take.

This course will cover:

• Planning your final year
• Writing your thesis
• Administration of your final year
• The viva
• Understanding who you are: expertise; suitability; values
• Looking toward your future career

NOTE: Please bring a printed 50-word statement that summarises your research. The statement should be aimed at an educated but non-expert audience.

The course takes an evidence-based approach to writing. Participants will learn that publishing is a game and the more they understand the rules of the game the higher their chances of becoming publishing authors. They will learn that writing an academic article and getting it published may help with their careers but it does not make them better researchers, or cleverer than they were before their paper was accepted; it simply means they have played the game well.

Suitable for researchers in any discipline who are keen to learn how to write academic papers and articles efficiently and/or who have had papers rejected and are not really sure why.

If you want a better chance of your name on a paper, this is for you!

Trainer Olivia Timbs is an award-winning editor and journalist with over 30 years' experience gained from working on national newspapers and for a range of specialist health and medical journals.