Workshops for RHD Supervisors

Each year the Office of Graduate Studies presents two key workshops for RHD Supervisors.

If you would like to register your interest in these workshops, please contact Alison Chapman at alison.chapman@newcastle.edu.au

Orientation to Supervision

This session is strongly recommended for all new RHD supervisors and RHD supervisors new to the University.This seminar provides an orientation to supervision at the University of Newcastle to ensure  that supervisors of Research Higher Degree candidates approach their duties fully informed of services available to support them and their students, and relevant policies, procedures and codes of conduct.

Rethinking Supervision at Newcastle

This workshop uses case studies to highlight key aspects of RHD student supervision and allows for group discussion on the solutions to problems that occur throughout a student’s candidature. Representatives from Counselling lead a discussion on 'How to have those difficult conversations.'  Professor Scott Holmes, Dean of Graduate Studies and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) also provides an overview of the current federal government landscape. 

Seminars by Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner

Hugh Kearns and Maria Gardiner have developed a national reputation for working with researchers and RHD candidates to increase their research output.  Their seminar program is now one of the flagship programs of the IRU network.  First introduced in 2006,  Hugh and Maria now also run their program in the USA, UK, Ireland and Spain. 

Maria Gardiner will present the following seminars in April/May. Hugh and Maria will return again later in the year.

Enrolment for staff is via HR Online.

The Strategic Researcher
Monday 29 April 2013, The Treehouse, Shortland Union, Callaghan
9.30 am -12.30 pm

Are you wanting to get a grant, but not sure how to approach it strategically? Or despite getting the grant and getting the research done, do you find it hard to achieve the publication outputs? And if you do publish, how strategic are you about it -do you just do the next paper on the list or do you think about which one will help with your next grant or be read by more people or have greatest impact?
In relation to the team you work in, are you being as productive as possible, for example using all team members or colleagues in a way that increases your publication output and theirs? And finally, do you use your limited resources (eg statisticians, senior researchers, editors etc) in the most effective way possible?
This workshop is ideally suited for research teams, collaborators or co-authors, although all researchers will find it useful.

This workshop will look at:
• managing your time in a busy research environment
• publishing strategically
• linking publications to grants
• using the team (or others) to increase publication productivity
• keeping track of publications to increase motivation and accountability
• managing your publication “resources” for maximum output
• attributes of a successful (and highly productive) research leader/team.

Shameless Self Promotion (for Researchers in particular)

Thursday 2 May 2013 Upstairs at Isabella's, Callaghan
9.30 am  – 12.30 pm

It's tempting to think that if you are clever and work hard then people will notice and shower you with rewards. Tempting but probably not true. As well as being clever and working hard you also need to be able to promote yourself.

In this workshop you will learn strategies for:
• Putting yourself out there
• Asking for what you want
• Taking responsibility - not waiting for it to happen
• Using the media and other strategies to get heard
• Presenting yourself effectively for promotions, grants, awards

.........And all this without having to become a used-car salesperson.

For staff and RHD students
Turbocharge Your Writing
Friday, 3 May, 2013:
9.00am - 12.00 noon in MCTH (McMullin Theatre)

Would you like to know the secret to high output, high quality, scholarly writing? In academia, because writing is such a big part of what you do, it is often assumed that it comes naturally. However, for most academics, it can be a hit and miss activity, with some days (weeks or even months!) being hard to get started. And when you do get started you might sit there for hours and not produce many words. Finally, when the words are on the page, you may wonder why you bothered since what you have written isn’t very good.
This workshop draws on the overwhelming body of research (and experience with thousands of writers). This research shows that there are very clear and practical evidence-based strategies that can greatly increase your writing quality and quantity. Key aspects of this workshop have featured in the journal Nature.

This workshop will help you to understand:
• why it can be hard to get started
• how we deliberately use distractions to slow down writing
• the principles of quick starting
• why snack writing is generally more productive than binge writing
• how to deal with the internal committee that slows down writing
• how to set achievable goals by writing in a silo
• how to greatly double (or more) the number of actual words you produce
• how to clarify your thinking and improve the quality of your work

For RHD students

The 7 Secrets of Highly Successful PhD Students
Thursday, 2 May, 2013
2.00pm - 5.00pm in HB15 (The Hunter Building)

What do research students do to finish on time, to overcome isolation and doubt and to enjoy the process? And just as importantly what do they do in order to spend guilt-free time with their family and friends and perhaps even have holidays? Do you find that you engage in anything but work on your thesis, constantly telling yourself that tomorrow you’ll organise a meeting with your supervisor or get started on your data analysis? And do you find you are highly productive when it comes to organising the postgrad symposium, but not so much when it comes to things related to your research higher degree? Are you really busy and doing a lot of things, but just don’t seem to be making as much progress as you would like?
This workshop describes the key habits that our research and experience with thousands of students shows will make a difference to how quickly and easily you complete your research higher degree. Key aspects of this workshop have featured in the journal Nature.
This workshop will help you to understand how to:
• take (at least some) responsibility for your relationship with your supervisor
• improve the supervisory experience
• structure your study time so you get more done in 2 hours than 8
• overcome perfectionism
• get the help you need when you are stuck
• deal with multiple commitments
• keep on going when the going gets tough

Students have been advised to RSVP to Alison.chapman@newcastle.edu.au

 For further information contact alison.chapman@newcastle.edu.au