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

Structuring your writing [webinar]

17 August 2026 10:00am–12:00pm

in Writing skills

This workshop explores planning and structuring research writing. (formerly called Planning to Write). Consider attending Refining Your Writing after attending this workshop.

Turbocharge your writing [online]

18 August 2026 9:00am–3 November 2026 5:00pm

in Writing skills

This program establishes good writing routines and habits by delivering content over a 12 week period from 18 August to 3 November. REGISTRATION CLOSES 11 August.

Career strategy: Plan for your future [St Lucia]

18 August 2026 10:00am–12:00pm

in Career planning

Successful careers are a result of good planning. Get started early with your career strategy.

Introduction to NGS platforms and bioinformatics analysis (DSCRP) [webinar]

19 August 2026 9:00am–1:00pm

in Bioinformatics and genomics

Learn the basics of NGS technologies and bioinformatics workflows in this hands-on workshop designed for beginners in genomic data analysis. Registration closes 12 August at 9am.

Research ethics: Human [St Lucia]

19 August 2026 10:00am–12:00pm

in Integrity and ethics

At UQ, you MUST have Ethics approval BEFORE conducting Human research! Human Research is research conducted with or about people, or their data or tissue.

The seven secrets of highly successful research students [online]

24 August 2026 9:00am–26 October 2026 5:00pm

in Candidature management

This 10 week online program from August to October looks at seven key strategies that help research higher degree students finish on time and enjoy the process more. REGISTRATION CLOSES 17 AUGUST.

Making the most of the advisor/student relationship [webinar]

24 August 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

Learn how to develop a close working relationship with your advisors.

Advanced literature searching [webinar]

24 August 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in eResearch and data management

Learn how to use and navigate the UQ Library search engine. Learn strategies to find and identify what you’re looking for, and like a skilled investigator, identify and track down promising additional material. This session is targeted at new HDR students who have little experience with Library searching.

Research Ethics: Ethical Research and Teaching with animals [St Lucia]

25 August 2026 10:00am–11:00am

in Integrity and ethics

At UQ, animals are used for various scientific purposes in both research and teaching, including; laboratory research, teaching, veterinary science, companion and production animal settings, and in the wild (be it terrestrial or marine).

Writing a confirmation document [Herston]

25 August 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Your thesis

Discover the purposes and characteristics of a confirmation document. Presented face to face at the Herston campus. Webinar option also available.

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Effective time management [webinar]

14 August 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

Discover time-management strategies that will help you to ‘work well’ during your research degree.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.