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

Impactful presentations: Script Development [webinar]

12 October 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.

Writing a literature review for HDRs [webinar]

12 October 2026 2:00pm–3:30pm

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.

Intermediate Statistics (DSCRP) [webinar]

13 October 2026 9:00am–12:30pm

in Statistics and modelling

Intermediate statistics. Registration closes 9am on 9 October.

Story Moods with Kathleen Jennings [St Lucia]

13 October 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.

How to Make the Most of Your Data: Practical Skills for Research Impact and Visibility [St Lucia]

14 October 2026 10:00am–12:00pm

in eResearch and data management

Learn how to publish high‑quality research data by applying FAIR principles and effective data management to boost impact and visibility.

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

15 October 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].

Introduction to SPSS (DSCRP) [St Lucia]

16 October 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 St Lucia campus. Registrations close 9 October, 9am.

Effective writing strategies in research [St Lucia]

19 October 2026 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.

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

20 October 2026 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 15 October.

GenAI for Scholarly Work Part 1: Using GenAI to Master Literature and Theory [webinar]

28 October 2026 10:00am–12:00pm

in Writing skills

Learn how Generative AI can enrich your academic work through an interactive two‑part series that explores using AI to master literature and theory and to enhance academic writing.

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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.

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 [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.

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.

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.

Working with large scale text for research [webinar]

25 August 2025 12:00pm–3:00pm

in Research software and programming

Learn how to process, structure, and analyse large-scale text data for academic research using AI, machine learning, and Python-based NLP tools in this hands-on, accessible workshop.

Career shaping: Understand your skills and identify opportunities [webinar]

30 July 2025 10:30am–12:30pm

in Career planning

Increase your chances of a positive career on completion of your HDR.