Early Stage - Graduate Research School Career Development Framework

Early candidature is the time to lay the groundwork for successful completion of your degree. It is important that you take the time to think about where you are headed after graduation, and what steps you may need to take to get there. It is also your chance to develop skills that will help you manage your time and avoid procrastination.

Upcoming sessions
Past sessions

Presenting your research [webinar]

23 July 2026 2:00pm–4:00pm

in Communication

This session provides an introduction to the secrets of great research presentations. Learn how to craft a message that targets your audience. (Formerly known as Planning and Presenting Persuasive Research).

Story Moods with Kathleen Jennings [St Lucia]

28 July 2026 10:30am–12:30pm

in Communication

Explore a technique for quickly understanding what makes a short story work, start building up your own stories, and learn tricks you can adapt to other forms of writing.

Writing a literature review for HDRs [webinar]

29 July 2026 10:00am–12:00pm

in Writing skills

Learn how to critically read and note-take when writing your literature review. Examine the unique features of a literature review as a frame for your research.

New International HDR students: Compulsory info session [webinar]

4 August 2026 10:30am–12:30pm

in Orientation

This session is compulsory for all newly commencing HDR students and is a requirement of your visa.

HDR Orientation [webinar]

4 August 2026 2:00pm–3:30pm

in Orientation

Orientation is strongly recommended for all commencing HDR candidates, both domestic and international.

The 'imposter' syndrome [webinar]

6 August 2026 1:00pm–4:00pm

in Candidature management

Although you are doing well, you may still feel like an imposter. Learn how to manage these feelings.

Pondering procrastination productively [webinar]

10 August 2026 11:00am–12:30pm

in Candidature management

Are you plagued by procrastination? Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today? Learn tools and strategies to get you started in making change, feeling in control and creating new, more productive habits.

Research Co-Design for HDRs [St Lucia]

11 August 2026 10:00am–12:00pm

in Research design

Learn how to involve research end users in developing projects and experimenting with novel ideas about how to tackle issues. This workshop is delivered face to face at St Lucia campus.

HDR Orientation Welcome BBQ [St Lucia]

11 August 2026 12:00pm–1:00pm

in Orientation

Join the Graduate Research School for the opportunity to meet your fellow commencing candidates, Graduate Research School staff who will be assisting you in the HDR journey and also enjoying lunch within the beautiful St Lucia Campus.

The Principles of Machine Learning (DSCRP) [St Lucia]

13 August 2026 9:00am–5:00pm

in Research software and programming

Learn the core principles of machine learning through practical, Python‑based activities that take you from data preparation to building and evaluating real predictive models. Presented face to face at the St Lucia campus. Registration closes 9am, 6 August.

Pages

Introduction to SPSS (DSCRP) [Dutton Park]

17 July 2026 9:00am–5:00pm

in Research software and programming

This hands-on workshop provides a practical introduction to SPSS, guiding beginners or those looking to build confidence through the essentials of data import, management, and basic statistical analysis. It will be delivered in person at the Dutton Park campus. Registrations close 10 July, 9am.

What to keep in mind when publishing your research [Herston]

10 July 2026 11:30am–1:00pm

in Publishing and authorship

Learn the key considerations for publishing your research, including journal selection, open access, costs, and managing the publishing process and its outcomes. Presented face to face at Herston campus.

What to keep in mind when publishing your research [Dutton Park]

10 July 2026 11:30am–1:00pm

in Publishing and authorship

Learn the key considerations for publishing your research, including journal selection, open access, costs, and managing the publishing process and its outcomes. Presented via livestream at Dutton Park campus.

What to keep in mind when publishing your research[webinar]

10 July 2026 11:30am–1:00pm

in Publishing and authorship

Learn the key considerations for publishing your research, including journal selection, open access, costs, and managing the publishing process and its outcomes.

What to look for and consider when planning to publish [webinar]

10 July 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Publishing and authorship

Learn how to navigate authorship, journal selection, and ethical publishing to maximise your research impact and visibility.

What to look for and consider when planning to publish [Dutton Park]

10 July 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Publishing and authorship

Learn how to navigate authorship, journal selection, and ethical publishing to maximise your research impact and visibility. Ths workshop is livestreamed.

What to look for and consider when planning to publish [Herston]

10 July 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Publishing and authorship

Learn how to navigate authorship, journal selection, and ethical publishing to maximise your research impact and visibility.

Impactful presentations: Physical Development [Herston]

6 July 2026 9:30am–2:00pm

in Communication

This interactive and highly practical workshop will help you to transforming your physical skills for high energy presentations, enabling you to deliver with clarity and confidence. Presented face to face at the Herston campus.

Impactful presentations: Script Development [Herston]

29 June 2026 9:30am–2:00pm

in Communication

This interactive and highly practical workshop will help you to convert detailed technical research into an audience-friendly and audience-centric script. Presented face to face at Herston campus.

Analysing qualitative data (ISSR) [webinar]

16 June 2026 9:00am–1:00pm

in Research design

Learn about analysing qualitative data. Registration closes 9am, 11 June.

Presenting for the 3MT [webinar]

15 June 2026 10:30am–12:00pm

in Communication

How do you present effectively for the 3MT?

Presenting your research [webinar]

9 June 2026 1:00pm–3:00pm

in Communication

Survey design (ISSR) [webinar]

27 May 2026 9:00am–12:00pm

in Research design

This workshop focusses on the considerations of creating a survey. Registration closes 25 May.

Presenting for the 3MT [webinar]

20 May 2026 9:30am–11:00am

in Communication

How do you present effectively for the 3MT?

Publishing your research, part 1: Writing and submitting [webinar]

18 May 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Publishing and authorship

Equip yourself with the tools and practical knowledge to assist you through the writing and submission phase of the publication process. This is part 1 of a 2-part series. Consider attending Promoting Your Publications after this.

Impactful presentations: Script Development [St Lucia]

5 May 2026 9:30am–2:00pm

in Communication

This interactive and highly practical workshop will help you to convert detailed technical research into an audience-friendly and audience-centric script. Presented face to face at the St Lucia campus.

An introduction to qualitative research design [St Lucia]

23 April 2026 10:00am–12:00pm

in Research design

This interactive workshop is designed for HDR candidates who want to use qualitative methods in their research. This workshop is delivered face to face at St Lucia campus.

The Principles of Machine Learning (DSCRP) [St Lucia]

16 April 2026 9:00am–5:00pm

in Research software and programming

Planning and Delivering Successful Projects: Lessons from Practice [webinar]

15 April 2026 1:00pm–2:30pm

in Research design

Learn how to plan and manage health projects with clarity and resilience by structuring ideas into actionable frameworks, anticipating risks, coordinating stakeholders, and adapting effectively when conditions change. This workshop is delivered in two parts over two consecutive weeks. Attendance at part one is required for part two.

Optimising Wellbeing throughout your HDR Journey [Gatton]

20 November 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

This workshop aims to assist HDR students to manage stress, to open conversations about wellbeing and to access UQ support services and resources. This workshop is delivered face to face at Gatton campus.

Enhancing academic writing with AI: Strategies, opportunities and considerations [webinar]

29 September 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Writing skills

This workshop aims to improve the academic writing skills of Higher Degree by Research students by integrating Generative AI tools like ChatGPT into the writing process, while maintaining academic integrity.

Pitching and storytelling [webinar]

11 September 2025 10:00am–12:00pm

in Entrepreneurship

This session provides best practice on how to build a pitch deck and how to deliver it compellingly.

R U OK - Building your skills [webinar]

10 September 2025 12:00pm–1:30pm

in Candidature management

R U Ok Day is a national day of action to encourage conversations with those who may be struggling. This workshop will build skills on mental health awareness, ways we can have difficult conversations with each other and ways to access support.

Design thinking [webinar]

4 September 2025 10:00am–12:00pm

in Entrepreneurship

Learn how to solve complex problems in a creative, user-centric and curious manner.

Postgrad life in the Great Southern Land [St Lucia]

2 September 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Working with others

This workshop explores common challenges for international students, such as the experience of homesickness and culture shock, as well as the differences in the Australian workplace and academic cultures. This workshop is delivered face to face at St Lucia campus.