Workshops & Retreats

Feb. 10, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Zoom | Registration

Feb. 18, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Zoom | Registration

The annual Three-Minute Thesis Competition (3MT) challenges students to communicate the significance of their research projects to a non-specialist audience in just THREE MINUTES! Please visit the 3MT webpage for more information. Join us for the workshop to help you prepare for the competition or just to hone your communication skills. 

Come cheer on your GradTerp colleagues as they share their research.

April 15, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
Stamp Student Union, Charles Carroll Room | Registration

This series is aimed at doctoral students who have at least 1 year left in their programs--that is, it is designed to help you be prepared for an academic job search after May 2027 (so, if you are planning to graduate in August 2026 or later, this is for you!). For the best learning outcomes, please plan to attend both sessions.  Registration 

Part 1 Feb. 26, 2026 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid | 2124 Lee or via Zoom

In this session, we’ll focus on the hidden knowledge that is critical for doctoral students interested in faculty careers. You will learn about the various types of higher ed institutions and typical faculty appointment types. We will share expectations by institution and appointment type to help you think intelligently about how to construct your CV during the rest of your PhD years. Lunch will be provided for those who confirm in-person attendance by Feb. 23.

Part 2 March 3, 2026 from 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Hybrid | 2124 Lee or via Zoom

In this session, we’ll focus on understanding trends in your field, from reading job descriptions to benchmarking yourself against recent hires. We will provide an overview of academic job documents needed for most faculty or postdoctoral positions. We’ll conclude with making a plan for your upcoming academic years that help you be ready for the academic job market when the time comes.  Lunch will be provided for those who confirm in-person attendance by Feb. 26.

Planning on graduating in the next academic year (Fall 2026-Spring 2027) and pursuing an academic position in higher education or a postdoctoral position? Join the Graduate School's Center for Writing and Oral Communication and the Office of Career & Professional Development for a three-day retreat. You will learn more about the job application process, hear from faculty who have been on search committees and students/postdocs who have recently accepted offers. We’ll discuss the purpose and variety of documents you may need to apply for an academic position, and you’ll have time to draft, edit, and receive feedback on your materials before the 2026-2027 announcements. 

Tentatively scheduled for May 26, 27, 28, in person.  Details to follow. 

March 11, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. - 1 p.m.
Zoom

Zotero is a free, open-source citation management software useful for keeping track of bibliographic information and generating citations and bibliographies. This workshop is designed for new users of Zotero and will cover creating bibliographies.

Feb. 19, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Zoom

New to research writing at the graduate level, or getting ready to write your first literature review? Not sure how to start the process of a literature review? Join us for this workshop to understand the fundamentals of a literature review.

March 5, 2026 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Zoom

You’ve collected your articles—now you have to read them! Join us to learn more about reading for writing, effective note taking, and writing brief summaries for literature review process.

April 7, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Hybrid | 5109 McKeldin or Zoom

Generative AI can be a powerful tool in your research writing, offering ways to streamline your finding and summarizing of sources and your composition. But you should have a lot of questions before putting your research into the hands of generative AI, questions such as what tools work effectively, how do I protect my own intellectual property when using generative AI, and where is the line between using and plagiarizing with generative AI. Join the Libraries and the Center for Writing and Oral Communication to have your questions answered.

Feb. 11, 2026 from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Hybrid | 5109 McKeldin or Zoom

Here you are at a Big 10, Land Grant, Flagship State University – but what does any of that mean? How do universities really work? How do budgets get decided? Who makes what kinds of decisions? How do you – as a graduate student, a postdoc, a future faculty member or professional – fit into the organizational structure? Join us as we try to pull back the curtain and explain a bit about the inner workings of a large institution of higher education. This event will be hybrid and not recorded.