Idea mapping/ Mind mapping

Mapping your ideas is a creative way to organise your thinking. There are a range of tools such as concept maps, mind maps or idea maps.

These mapping techniques are used all over the world by students, teachers, researchers and in business as a way of improving learning and increasing creativity. They can be used to organise the content and ideas in your thesis, structure a paper or report, prepare a lecture or presentation, or record brainstorming sessions.

They are effective, easy to use and most of all FUN. In this workshop you will learn by doing. You will see how an idea map is created and then create your own.

The workshop will include opportunities for you to use idea mapping with your own project. So bring along your ideas (and some coloured pencils)!

This is a learning by doing workshop. You will get to try out different approaches, see what others do and get guidance and suggestions on how you can get the most out of idea maps. In the workshop you will:

• find out about the different types of maps (concept, mind, idea)
• learn guidelines you can apply in developing maps
• see examples of idea maps
• use maps to boost creativity
• find out about further resources.

Anyone who wants hands-on experience of using idea maps

Friday 9 February 2024 at 10 am

Online via Zoom

With Hugh Kearns

https://www.ithinkwell.com.au/

Viva Preparation

The final examination of your PhD takes place at the viva voce or oral defence. This examination focuses on the quality of the research undertaken, whether this research is original and contributes to the body of work and whether you can demonstrate a broad expertise in your specific field of study. This workshop focuses on what to expect and how to prepare for each stage of the process, including what common questions normally arise from examiners, what the outcomes of the viva can be and the examination process in UCD.

Anyone at submission stage of their PhD research

Tuesday 13 February 2024 at 10 am

Room A004 O'Brien Science Hub

With Prof Barbara Dooley

Dean of Graduate Studies

Turbocharge your Writing: two-part Masterclass

Getting your thesis finished (quicker!)

This course will teach you how to maximise your writing output and how to overcome common obstacles that reduce your writing productivity. Learn to:

• set goals and stick to them
• write more efficiently and effectively, producing more in two hours of writing than in eight
• double your writing output
• deal with writer's block and procrastination
• avoid obsessing over the quality of your writing
• work well with your supervisor to improve your writing
• not let distractions get in the way of your writing
• actual finish your research on the date you set!

Research higher degree (RHD) students who are in the writing intensive phase of their thesis and/or academic/research staff who wish to increase their writing productivity

Monday 25 March 2024 at 10 am

and

Monday 8 April 2024 at 10 am

(Note: participants must attend both sessions) 

Online via Zoom

With Hugh Kearns

https://www.ithinkwell.com.au/

The Impostor Syndrome

How can it be that so many clever, competent and capable people can feel that they are just one step away from being exposed as a complete fraud? Despite evidence that they are performing well, they can still have that lurking fear that at any moment someone is going to tap them on the shoulder and say 'We need to have a chat'.

The session will explain why high-performing people often doubt their abilities and find it hard to enjoy their successes. It will also show the links to perfectionism and self-handicapping strategies such as procrastination, avoidance and overcommitment.

At the end of this session you will:

• know what the latest psychological research tells us about the impostor syndrome is and how it operates
• realise how widespread imposter feelings are and why highly successful people can feel like frauds
• be aware of evidence-based strategies that reduce impostor feelings.

Anyone who wants to find out more about the impostor syndrome

Wednesday 3 April 2024 at 10 am

Online via Zoom

With Hugh Kearns

https://www.ithinkwell.com.au/

Adaptability and Skills to Thrive

Overview

Completing a PhD requires dedication, focus, self-motivation and lots of time and energy.  While often a very rewarding experience, graduate research students also report that at times, the demands of their work can also invoke feelings of stress, anxiety and isolation.  During the session David Delaney will expand your understanding of yourself and with the application of simple tools and techniques, optimise its function to have a desired outcome. 

Content            

Dave combines research in Neurology, Psychology and Physiology  to introduce you to your own brain. He demonstrates in a practical way how it operates and can be used effectively to achieve desired outcomes for both academic and personal goals.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the session participants will have a greater understanding of themselves and gain the tools and techniques to:

• Reduce stress
• Improve communication skills
• Improve self-motivation
• Reduce procrastination
• Increase ability to focus
• Manage workload   
• Have more energy

Anyone who is interested would like to attend the session 

Wednesday 3 April 2024

2pm - 4pm

Red Room, Student Centre. 

It will be a hybrid session so students can attend in person or via zoom. 

Link to follow

With Dave Delaney

ThesisIn3 workshop

Research students are challenged to present their research in three minutes, using only one slide, to a non-specialist audience. Entrants must distil their niche subjects and intensive research into bite-sized presentations that will inform and entertain the general public.

Anyone who wishes to enter a ThesisIn3 or equivalent competition

Wednesday 10 April 2024

10 am 

Room G103, Newman Building

Presenting your research with confidence 

If you're a researcher, then at some stage you are going to have to present your findings. It's tempting to get up and just read your paper, but to really speak to your audience you need to be able to communicate skilfully and with conviction. We've all been to dull presentations, so it's worth your while spending a little time to learn how to do it properly.

This workshop will provide a clear step-by-step structure that you can use again and again to give high-quality presentations. It will cover:

• how to make your message relevant to your audience
• how to structure and link parts of your talk
• preparing materials, notes, handouts and PowerPoint presentations
• practising
• delivery
• how to handle questions
• dealing with nervousness.

And it will be interactive and fun!

Anyone who has to present at a conference or give a seminar or a lecture on their area of expertise

Wednesday 17 April 2024 at 10 am

Online via Zoom

With Hugh Kearns

https://www.ithinkwell.com.au/

Stage Transfer Assessment

The Stage Transfer Assessment is a pivotal point in the PhD at UCD, which allows students to take a moment and consider the progress they have made to date and the trajectory of the research activity going forward. Research students present their progress and planning to a Transfer Assessment Panel (TAP) who determine if the research is on track and if the student’s progress is in line with expected norms. The TAP can recommend a number of outcomes to this important, examination process. This workshop highlights the key stages, requirements and possible outcomes of the Transfer Assessment at UCD

Wednesday 1st May 2024 at 10 am

Room 1.18 AGR

Agriculture and Food Science Centre

With Prof Barbara Dooley

Dean of Graduate Studies

UCD Library Research Toolkit for graduate and PhD students

The UCD Library offers a plethora of supports to help students become accomplished researchers. The Library has developed a bespoke suite of workshops for research students called the Research Toolkit, covering topics such as:

• finding and using information
• your digital identity as a researcher
• promoting your research
• publishing with impact
• data management planning
• searching for systemic reviews 
• GIS
• mapping and timeline tools for visualising your research

UCD Writing Centre 

The Writing Centre provides free, one-to-one tuition and a range of workshops on all aspects of the writing process for UCD students. The Centre runs specific supports for research students, such as Writing on Wednesdays (WOW) and doctoral writing weeks. 

Book here

UCD Careers Network

UCD has a dedicated Careers Consultant for Graduate Research Students. This position is currently occupied by Tara Hughes (tara.hughes@ucd.ie). Tara offers one-on-one consultations and a suite of career-focused workshops across the academic year, which support research students in identifying their career path, their strengths and skill sets as well as tools and tips for enhancing CVs and interview skills. These workshops are advertised on the Career’s Network and Graduate Studies Website. Tara can be contacted directly for one-on-one careers sessions.

23 Things International

23 Things International is a unique global collaboration of research universities (11 in 2022) in the northern and southern hemispheres. This online programme introduces researchers to powerful online research tools for all disciplines, has targeted blogs, podcasts and pods, where research students from around the world can get to know each other by working through the activities. 23 Things opens for registration in February each year.