Upcoming Communication Workshops!
OPD helps students and postdocs improve their writing and presenting skills through a variety of programs offered throughout the year.
Shut Up and Write Tuesday: Special Extended Hours Finals Edition
Tuesday, May 14th - 9:00am-3:00pm (209 Bartlett)
Writing alongside others is a best practice for academic writing! This drop-in event provides time and space to write while caffeinated - come late or leave early. We'll make the coffee; you do the writing.
The 5 Things You Need to Do to Prep Your Writing for Summer Break
Tuesday, May 21st - 12:30-1:00pm (online)
We all know that breaks are important for our well-being and long-term productivity, but how do we take time off without losing momentum on our projects? The key to both a restorative break and a productive return is to take small steps to prepare your writing—and yourself!—in advance. Join us to learn the five things you need to do before you take vacation so that you’re able to come back to your writing refreshed, renewed, and ready to pick up where you left off.
Drafting Clinic
Tuesday, June 4th - 12:45-2:15pm (online)
All writers agree: drafting is hard. By “drafting,” we mean that blank-page moment between research and initial draft, when most sentences are being composed for the first time. In this interactive workshop, we will practice three different methods for drafting academic projects, spending 25 minutes on each, for a total of 75 minutes of structured writing time. This workshop is for you if you have done some preliminary groundwork for a project and would like to start writing (or begin a new section).
Creating Effective Figures
Tuesday, June 4th - 3:00-4:30pm (online)
Creating the right figure takes time and effort, but there are some tricks to get you there faster. Are you using the right format? Are you considering the audience? What tools are available and best suited for your data? Come take this opportunity to discuss the answers to these questions and work with your data to produce amazing figures for your presentations and publications.
Stop Procrastinating and Write It Now!
Thursday, June 6th - 12:45-1:45pm (online)
"Next week will be less busy and I'll get my work done then." It's a nice lie we all tell ourselves! But it's time to break the cycle and get it done now! In this workshop, we'll talk about setting priorities, strategies for overcoming procrastination, and how to stay in touch with your research (even during breaks).
Public Speaking—for the Anxious and the Not-So-Anxious
Wednesday, June 12th - 3:00-4:00pm (online)
“There are only two types of speakers in the world: the nervous and the liars.”–Mark Twain. Speaking to an audience is important for your professional life, but that doesn’t mean we get a lot of training in it. Come learn the tips and tricks that will make you a more confident public speaker, convince your audience of your brilliance, and leave a lasting impression.
Crafting Slides for Engaging Presentations
Tuesday, June 18th - 3:00-4:00pm (online)
Do you ever envy a presenter’s slick presentation? Do you wish you could convey your data simply and tell a great story that engages your audience? Join us to learn how to design slides that capture attention and convey your meaning!
Using Simple Words for Big Ideas
Thursday, June 27th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Communicating your research effectively can be tough, and it can be even tougher when your audience doesn’t share your expertise. Success hinges on your ability to articulate what you are doing and why it is worth doing, whether your goal is to communicate the relevance of your work, recruit a potential collaborator, impress a prospective employer, or finally have your family understand what you do. In this session, participants will draft a short explanation of their work that avoids jargon and engages audiences.
Communicating Your Research Quickly
Tuesday, July 9th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Communicating your research effectively can be tough, and it can be even tougher when your audience doesn’t share your expertise. Success hinges on your ability to articulate what you are doing and why it is worth doing, whether your goal is to communicate the relevance of your work, recruit a potential collaborator, impress a prospective employer, or finally have your family understand what you do. In this session, participants will draft a short explanation of their work that avoids jargon and engages audiences.
Public Speaking—for the Anxious and the Not-So-Anxious
Wednesday, July 24th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
“There are only two types of speakers in the world: the nervous and the liars.”–Mark Twain. Speaking to an audience is important for your professional life, but that doesn’t mean we get a lot of training in it. Come learn the tips and tricks that will make you a more confident public speaker, convince your audience of your brilliance, and leave a lasting impression.
Crafting Slides for Engaging Presentations
Tuesday, July 30th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Do you ever envy a presenter’s slick presentation? Do you wish you could convey your data simply and tell a great story that engages your audience? Join us to learn how to design slides that capture attention and convey your meaning!
Communicating Your Research Quickly
Wednesday, August 14th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Communicating your research effectively can be tough, and it can be even tougher when your audience doesn’t share your expertise. Success hinges on your ability to articulate what you are doing and why it is worth doing, whether your goal is to communicate the relevance of your work, recruit a potential collaborator, impress a prospective employer, or finally have your family understand what you do. In this session, participants will draft a short explanation of their work that avoids jargon and engages audiences.
An Introduction to Writing in Graduate School
Tuesday, August 20th - 12:00-1:30pm (online)
Writing plays a central role in sharing research and ideas in academia, yet it frequently becomes a source of worry and isolation for graduate students. This workshop serves as an "orientation" to a critical mode of communication that you will use daily while at UMass. You will be introduced to some academic genres, learn best practices for the four phases of the writing process, and discover tips to make your writing "sound more academic"!
Public Speaking—for the Anxious and the Not-So-Anxious
Wednesday, August 28th - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
“There are only two types of speakers in the world: the nervous and the liars.”–Mark Twain. Speaking to an audience is important for your professional life, but that doesn’t mean we get a lot of training in it. Come learn the tips and tricks that will make you a more confident public speaker, convince your audience of your brilliance, and leave a lasting impression.