Explore OPD’s Winter Workshop Series
Make the most of your winter break! We have bundled OPD programming into series, allowing you to pursue professional development in areas you want to work on. As always, attend one session in a series or attend them all! Join us early and often this winter break!
- Bryan, Heidi, Johanna, Miranda, and Shana
↓ Getting to Work on Your Own Research and Writing
↓ Thrive in Academia: Manage Your Time
↓ Don’t Just Talk! Communicate Your Research Effectively!
↓ Applying for the Armstrong Research Grant
↓ Develop Competitive Funding Applications
↓ A Leader’s Toolkit
↓ Are You a Competitive Job Applicant?
↓ Teaching Tips
Getting to Work on Your Own Research and Writing
The quiet time between semesters is the perfect opportunity to advance your research and writing projects. Join our workshops designed to support your goals and keep you moving forward on the projects that matter to you!
The 5 Things You Need to Do to Prep Your Writing for Winter Break
Monday, December 15th - 11:00-11:30am (online)
How Do I Sound More Scholarly?: Demystifying the Elements of Academic Writing
Wednesday, January 14th - 2:45-3:45pm (online)
Writing the “Good Enough” Dissertation
Thursday, January 15th - 12:45-1:45pm (515 Goodell)
How to Stay on Track, Even If You’re Not Able to Write Every Day
Tuesday, January 20th - 2:00-3:00pm (online)
Writing with ADHD
Friday, January 23rd - 12:00-1:15pm (online)
Managing Your Time
If your to-do list is overwhelming, this workshop series is for you!
Understanding Your Time and Setting Goals
Tuesday, January 6th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Mastering Your Schedule and Avoiding Procrastination
Tuesday, January 13th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Building Habits and Creating a Focused Work Environment
Tuesday, January 20th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Don’t Just Talk! Communicate Your Research Effectively!
It's easy to talk about your research, it's hard to do it well every time. Come learn how to give a great presentation, pitch your research, and make your research accessible to anyone you meet!
Communicating Your Research Quickly
Thursday, January 8th - 10:00-11:00am (online) OR
Wednesday, January 14th - 1:00-2:00pm (online)
Public Speaking—for the Anxious and the Not-So-Anxious
Friday, December 5th - 10:00-11:00am (online) OR
Friday, January 9th - 12:00-1:00pm (online) OR
Thursday, January 22nd - 12:00-1:00pm (online)
Crafting Slides for Engaging Presentations
Tuesday, December 9th - 10:00-11:00am (online) OR
Wednesday, January 21st - 1:00-2:00pm (online)
Applying for the Armstrong Research Grant
The Planning to apply for the Armstrong Graduate Student Research Grant by the February 1, 2026 deadline? This series will help you prepare a competitive application! The Armstrong Graduate Student Research Grant provides funds for doctoral students to advance their dissertation research, including data collection and analysis. Applications are invited from all fields
Armstrong Research Grant: Proposal Introductions & Research Objectives
Tuesday, January 6th - 10:30-11:45am (online)
Armstrong Research Grant: Methods & Research Approvals
Tuesday, January 13th - 10:30-11:45am (online)
Armstrong Research Grant: Research Contributions & Project Budgets
Tuesday, January 20th - 10:30-11:45am (online)
Develop Competitive Funding Applications
Planning to apply for a grant or fellowship in the next 6-12 months? This series will help you get started!
Grant Series Part I: Funding Search Strategies
Thursday, December 11th - 10:00-11:00am (online) OR
Thursday, January 8th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Grant Series Part II: Framing & Writing the Proposal
Tuesday, December 16th - 1:00-2:30pm (online) OR
Wednesday, January 14th - 1:30-3:00pm (online)
Convincing Funders that Your Work Matters
Friday, December 19th - 10:30-11:30am (online) OR
Wednesday, January 21st - 10:30-11:30am (online)
A Leader’s Toolkit
Effective leaders are not born, they are developed. In this interactive in-person series, participants will learn strategies for recognizing and managing emotions, pursuing interest-based negotiations, and managing difficult conversations.
Emotional Intelligence – It Starts with You
Tuesday, January 13th - 10:00am-12:00pm (515 Goodell)
Emotional Intelligence – Emotions as Data
Thursday, January 15th - 10:00am-12:00pm (515 Goodell)
Developing an Effective Negotiation Strategy
Tuesday, January 20th - 10:00am-12:00pm (515 Goodell)
Navigating Difficult Conversations
Thursday, January 22nd - 10:00am-12:00pm (515 Goodell)
Are You a Competitive Job Applicant?
A graduate degree isn’t enough – if you’re not actively preparing and showcasing the skills employers demand, you risk being overlooked in an increasingly competitive job market. Learn how employers evaluate candidates and how to showcase the skills they value. Waiting could cost you opportunities.
Resume Basics
Friday, December 19th - 10:00-11:30am (online)
Connecting with Professionals in Your Field
Thursday, January 8th - 11:30am-12:30pm (online)
Interview Strategies
Friday, January 9th - 11:30am-1:00pm (online)
Using LinkedIn to Support Your Job Search
Thursday, January 15th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Negotiating a Job Offer
Friday, January 16th - 11:30am-1:00pm (online)
How to Write a (Better) Cover Letter
Wednesday, January 21st - 11:45am-1:00pm (online)
Using an IDP to Plan Your Career
Friday, January 23rd - 10:00-11:30am (online)
Teaching Tips
Prepare for spring semester with some new ideas!
How Can We Convince Students That Easier Isn't Better?
Tuesday, January 20th - 12:30-1:30pm (online)
Teaching Strategies for the First Day of Class
Tuesday, January 27th - 12:00-1:30pm (515 Goodell)