Early Stage - Graduate 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

Writing a literature review [webinar]

15 January 2026 10:00am–11:30am

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.

Research Co-Design for HDRs

20 January 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.

New International HDR students: Compulsory info session [webinar]

3 February 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]

3 February 2026 2:00pm–3:30pm

in Orientation

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

Research integrity in HDR training (student only session) [St Lucia]

10 February 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Integrity and ethics

Learn about research integrity policies, advisors' and candidates' main obligations through a discussive, interactive session using real life scenarios. [This workshop differs from the mandatory online Research Integrity module which must still be completed as part of the Early Candidature Checkpoint.] This workshop is delivered face to face at the St Lucia campus.

Mindmapping research: Coping with info overload [St Lucia]

13 February 2026 1:00pm–4:00pm

in Your thesis

Learn how to manage your research and cope with information overload. This workshop is delivered face to face at St Lucia campus.

Planning to publish [webinar]

18 February 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Publishing and authorship

Which journals/publishers are best for your research?

Writing a confirmation document [Webinar]

24 February 2026 10:00am–11:30am

in Your thesis

Discover the purposes and characteristics of a confirmation document.

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

26 February 2026 9:00am–12:30pm

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 19 February 9am.

Strategic scholarly publishing principles [webinar]

26 February 2026 1:00pm–2:00pm

in Publishing and authorship

Learn the principles of publishing your research strategically.

Pages

Story Moods with Kathleen Jennings [St Lucia]

27 November 2025 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.

Strategic networking: How to connect for impact [webinar]

25 November 2025 10:00am–12:00pm

in Impact and influence

Understand the strategic value of networking. Identify networking opportunities.

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.

Logistic Regression (DSCRP) [webinar]

19 November 2025 9:00am–5:00pm

in Statistics and modelling

This workshop offers a practical introduction to logistic regression, combining theory with hands-on exercises in R to explore its use in modeling binary outcomes for inference and prediction.

How to navigate an academic career [webinar]

17 November 2025 1:00pm–3:00pm

in Career planning

Explore specific ideas, tools and techniques to navigate an academic career.

Research ethics: Animal [webinar]

17 November 2025 12:00pm–1:00pm

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).

Analysing qualitative data (ISSR) [webinar]

13 November 2025 9:00am–1:00pm

in Research design

Learn about analysing qualitative data.

Career strategy: Plan for your Future [webinar]

12 November 2025 10:00am–12:00pm

in Career planning

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

HDR Orientation Welcome BBQ [St Lucia]

10 November 2025 12:00pm–1:00pm

in Orientation

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

Basic statistical ideas for researchers [webinar]

10 November 2025 10:00am–12:00pm

in Statistics and modelling

Learn ideas relating to research design, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.

Three Ss of Resilience [St Lucia]

6 November 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Candidature management

Learn strategies to improve resilience in order to better manage the stresses and strains of life, both during the candidature and in your future professional life. This workshop is delivered face to face at St Lucia campus.

Lighting the Spark: Entrepreneurial Pathways to leverage your research [St Lucia]

5 November 2025 10:00am–12:00pm

in Entrepreneurship

Find out how to generate workable ideas from your research and turn them into business opportunities. Be an idea pioneer! This workshop is delivered face to face at St Lucia campus.

Collecting qualitative data (ISSR) [webinar]

4 November 2025 9:00am–12:00pm

in Research design

This workshop provides a brief introduction into qualitative data collection.

Structuring your writing [webinar]

27 October 2025 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.

Effective writing strategies in research [St Lucia]

23 October 2025 2:00pm–4:00pm

in Writing skills

Join an interactive workshop where experienced academics share practical writing strategies and time-management tips to help HDR students boost research productivity, connect with peers, and put learning into action.

Promoting your research impact: Collecting evidence of research engagement [webinar]

22 October 2025 10:00am–11:30am

in Impact and influence

Learn about research metrices and social media impact. Find out how and where you can start making an impact with your research. (Previously known as Making and measuring research impact: an introduction)

Pondering procrastination productively [webinar]

15 October 2025 10:00am–11:30am

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.

Presenting your research [webinar]

14 October 2025 12:00pm–1:30pm

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 Introduction to Presentation Skills as well as Planning and Presenting Persuasive Research).

Effective time management [Dutton Park]

13 October 2025 1:00pm–2:30pm

in Candidature management

Discover strategies for effective time management which can be applied in your research degree. This workshop is delivered face to face at Dutton Park campus.

Understanding quantitative data and performing descriptive analyses (ISSR) [webinar]

9 October 2025 9:00am–12:00pm

in Research design

This course is intended for HDR students who are new to working with quantitative data, or would like to refresh the basics.

Principles of Research Design (ISSR) [webinar]

7 October 2025 9:00am–1:00pm

in Research design

Learn the basics of research design which is a key component of any research study.

Ethical and Productive Use of Generative AI Tools as an HDR Candidate [Webinar]

30 September 2025 10:30am–1:00pm

in Writing skills

Learn how generative AI tools can support your thinking and development as a researcher and academic writer.

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.

Impactful presentations: Delivering with confidence [St Lucia]

23 September 2025 9:30am–1:30pm

in Communication

This interactive session will enable you to develop your edge when communicating your research, presenting at conferences, or participating in competitions such as 3MT and more broadly, when presenting your personal value proposition. (formerly known as Advanced Presentation Skills)

Data literacy, storytelling and influencing decision-makers [webinar]

23 September 2025 9:00am–1:00pm

in Impact and influence

This course is designed for HDR students aiming to master the skills of identifying, interpreting, and drawing informed conclusions from diverse data sources. Registration closes 19 September.