Upcoming Communication Workshops!

OPD helps students and postdocs improve their writing and presenting skills through a variety of programs offered throughout the year.

Spring Shut Up & Write Tuesdays
Tuesdays, Now through May 12th - 9:00am-12:00pm (515 Goodell)
Writing alongside others is a best practice for academic writing! This weekly drop-in provides time and space to write while caffeinated - come late or leave early. We'll make the coffee; you do the writing. One pre-registration for the "Spring Series" is required; attend one week or attend them all!
 
Communicating Your Expertise Quickly
Wednesday, March 18th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Communicating what you do 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.
 
Writing the “Good Enough” Dissertation
Wednesday, March 18th - 12:30-1:45pm (515 Goodell)
A good dissertation is a done dissertation – but what makes a dissertation "done"? In this workshop, we'll discuss the difference between an in-process draft and the "good enough" draft that is ready for defense and submission. We'll also introduce research-based guidelines to help you communicate effectively with your advisor and reflect on your progress.
 
How to Stay on Track, Even If You’re Not Able to Write Every Day
Thursday, March 19th - 10:45-11:45am (online)
A major benefit of a daily writing routine is that you always know where you’re at in your project. But what if it’s just not possible for you to write every day? This workshop will introduce simple yet effective practices for staying on top of your ideas even when you go days without writing, allowing you to (almost) seamlessly jump back into a writing session when you can.
 
Crafting Slides for Engaging Presentations
Thursday, April 2nd - 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!
 
Public Speaking—for the Anxious and the Not-So-Anxious
Wednesday, April 8th - 10:00-11:00am (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.
 
Effective Poster Design
Tuesday, April 21st - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Conference coming up? Not sure how to make a great poster? Come get a crash-course in making a poster presentation. We’ll cover the basics of graphic design, and the software you need. Get feedback and learn how to use your poster to network in your field and promote your research.
 
Communicating Your Expertise Quickly
Wednesday, April 29th - 10:00-11:00am (online)
Communicating what you do 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.