This GRADskills workshop is designed specifically for researchers who are interested in developing their literature analysis skills. With over 30,000 journals and nearly three million academic papers being published each year it can be challenging for researchers to read and assess all of the relevant literature; there are now tools to annotate papers as you read which can save you time and allow you to share your notes with others.

The workshop will also cover how to get the most out of journal club sessions: understanding the aims, what your supervisor expects, tackling interdisciplinary papers and how to ask pertinent questions that stimulate discussion. We will cover the key aspects to critiquing a paper, how to extract the main points and techniques to optimise your time.  This workshop will run online.

Request a place: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/pdms/index.php?mode=single&query=9414

What previous participants have said about this course:

• “It helps with being able to discern high quality research articles from lower quality ones.”
• “This is one of the best organized workshops I have attended. Definitely will learn new skills, strategies, & helps with your own writing.”
• “The practical use of a journal article with reviews helped to better understand the techniques and requirements.”

This GRADskills workshop for research students and staff will help you overcome barriers to writing your PhD chapter, your next journal article, whatever it may be! You know you need to start (or continue) to write – so what is stopping you? Writer’s block can occur at any stage in the process of writing a PhD, journal article or book chapter, and typically not only affects planning but well-being and motivation as well.

In this online workshop, we’ll look at how writer’s block manifests, what causes it and what strategies you can adopt to re-connect with your research, your writing, your confidence and your voice.

Request a place: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/pdms/index.php?mode=single&query=9435

What previous participants have said about this course:

• “Extremely helpful course, gave me good ideas of ways around stagnation in writing. Really good interaction.”
• “It really helped me get over my motivation issues.  It’s not a mountain anymore.  Only small pebbles.”
• “The questions we had to answer helped me clarify for myself some of the issues with my PhD.”

Struggling to put words on paper? This structured half-day virtual writing retreat, facilitated by OSDS, aims to give dedicated writing time to staff and research postgraduates for the purpose of progressing any writing projects.

So be it a manuscript in development or a presentation that needs your attention, you can work towards it within a supportive, non-surveillance environment. Participants are encouraged to set up a distraction-free setting to write, and will have the opportunity to speak to and seek feedback from other writers.

All participants need to have any relevant papers or notes ready before the retreat. It is also recommended that you prepare a project plan beforehand, in the form of document headings / presentation slide headings for example. This event will be delivered online using Microsoft 365 Teams.

Request a place: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/pdms/index.php?mode=single&query=10528

Check out PDMS for the dates of other virtual writing retreats.

What previous participants have said about the Writing Retreats

• A great way to get away from distractions of usual working space. Treat it as a ‘capsule’ of time to focus on one thing only
• Great structure and set up. Very good for focusing on writing
• The group work aspect was helpful for motivation

Now available ONLINE! Skilful editing will transform a rough draft into a polished final version. This GRADskills workshop for research students and staff will equip you with strategies for editing effectively. We will identify key aspects of high-quality writing and explore how to achieve those. Working with your own draft, you will learn to focus on different levels of your text and make appropriate editorial decisions.

You will need to have to hand a printed copy of the first few pages of a thesis chapter or article that you are currently working on. Don’t worry if it is work in progress – that’s exactly what we are looking for.

Request a place: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/pdms/index.php?mode=single&query=9439

What previous participants have said about this course:

• “Very relevant and applicable information on a difficult topic.”
• “Hands-on approach with my own work in a collaborative setting. Multi-disciplinary approach was very useful in providing perspective.”
• “Put focus on what was important for academic writing. Divided editing into levels and how should focus.”