Libraries Events

View this month's events

Mon 27th April

A student sits at a table with a laptop, chatting to a staff member Reviewing the literature
2pm - 4pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
Understand the nature of a quality literature review and how to effectively synthesise the literature you have read in your thesis.

Tue 28th April

Vitae's Researcher Development Framework Development Needs Analysis
1pm - 3pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
The Development Needs Analysis (GRS1) form is a requirement of research programmes. This highly practical workshop supports the process, including introducing you to Vitae’s Researcher Development Framework.

Wed 29th April

An ASC advisor delivering a workshop PGT Essentials: Getting started with your dissertation
5pm - 6:30pm
Online
How do I get started with my dissertation? Where do I begin with literature searching? How can I engage with my subject critically communicate this in my writing? Three advisors from the ASC will give you some top tips followed by a Q&A.

Wed 6th May

A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
1pm - 3pm
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.

Thu 7th May

A student sat on a sofa working on a laptop, seen from above Data management plans for PGRs
2pm - 3pm
Online
All postgraduate researchers are required to have a Data Management Plan in place before completing their first annual review (GRS3). This workshop will help you to achieve this by covering the basics of research data management.

Wed 13th May

A staff member sits working at a laptop in a café space Literature searching: hints and tips for researchers
2pm - 4pm
Online
This practical introduction to effective literature searching provides guidance on search strategy planning, the use of keywords and subject headings, and tips on managing search results.
A student wearing headphones stands at a PC in the library Reading and note-making
2pm - 3:30pm
Online
A huge quantity of reading is required for postgraduate research. This workshop helps you develop strategies to read effectively and efficiently, extracting the key information into your notes. Bring your own reading material to practise with!

Thu 14th May

A student speaks to a staff member at a stand in the Great Hall Making the most of conferences
noon - 1:30pm
Online
This workshop introduces practical tips for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) preparing to attend a conference, helping you get the maximum value from your conference, including getting the most out of networking opportunities.

Fri 15th May

A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
1pm - 2pm
Online
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.

Mon 18th May

A student on their phone in a social space Planning for success
2pm - 3:30pm
Online
Designed primarily for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) in the very early stages of their research programme (approximately during the first three months), this workshop covers research project management techniques.

Thu 21st May

A student leans over a laptop in concentration EndNote Desktop Q&A session
1pm - 2pm
Online
Completed the Introduction to EndNote 2025 Canvas course and still have questions? Drop-in for an online Q&A with the Research Skills team.
A student smiles sitting at a desk Increasing your productivity
2pm - 3:30pm
Online
As postgraduate researchers (PGRs), we cannot change the number of hours in a day, but we can use them as effectively as possible. This workshop encourages you to understand your own working preferences to be as productive as possible.

Fri 22nd May

A student smiles whilst working on a laptop Writing clearly and concisely
2pm - 3:30pm
Online
Sharpen up your writing to communicate your research and ideas more effectively. This will be most useful for those who have already drafted some texts.
A student in conversation with someone out of view Introduction to presentation skills
4:30pm - 6pm
Online
Are you a postgraduate researcher who wants to build your confidence in delivering presentations? This workshop covers the basics of a good presentation, including structure and visual aids. Get peer feedback on an informal presentation of your own.

Wed 27th May

Three people look at a computer screen together Structuring your thesis
4pm - 5:30pm
Online
Already have some draft texts but unsure how these might fit together in a logical thesis structure? This highly interactive workshop will cover common thesis structures and strategies for creating your own.

Tue 2nd June

Two students look at a phone showing a scientific diagram Introduction to AI tools for researchers
2pm - 3pm
Online
Develop an understanding of the opportunities and risks of using AI tools in the research process, explore how AI Tools might be used to augment research processes to create efficiencies, and critically evaluate potential ethical risks.

Wed 3rd June

Students sit around circular tables chatting Starting to write for PGRs
noon - 1:30pm
Online
An introduction to the writing process, your knowledge of yourself as a writer, and strategies for planning and creating text, suitable for those at the beginning of their development as postgraduate research level academic writers.

Thu 4th June

A student looks up at another student, whilst sat studying What is Citation Justice?
1pm - 2pm
Online
Explore the role of influence and power in who we cite, how bias in this area can occur and be addressed, and discover tools for finding literature that is more representative of the global majority.

Mon 8th June

A student sits at a table with a laptop, chatting to a staff member Reviewing the literature
4:30pm - 6pm
Online
Understand the nature of a quality literature review and how to effectively synthesise the literature you have read in your thesis.

Tue 9th June

A student working on a laptop AI for academic writing for PGRs
1pm - 2:30pm
Online
Explore effective and appropriate use of generative AI tools in the context of academic writing and the University's regulations and guidelines for the assessment of research degree theses.
Two students pet a border collie who is lying on beanbags Relax and Refresh
2pm - 4pm
Wolfson Room, Main Library
Feeling the pressure of working on your thesis, dissertation, or studying for supplementary exams? Or are you ready for a summer break? Drop-in to the Main Library for Pets as Therapy and information and advice to help you over the coming weeks.

Wed 10th June

Two students pet a border collie who is lying on beanbags Relax and Refresh
2pm - 4pm
Wolfson Room, Main Library
Feeling the pressure of working on your thesis, dissertation, or studying for supplementary exams? Or are you ready for a summer break? Drop-in to the Main Library for Pets as Therapy and information and advice to help you over the coming weeks.

Thu 11th June

Three students sit chatting in front of a poster display board Designing and presenting your poster at conferences
5pm - 7pm
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
Learn how to maximise the opportunity to communicate your research in a highly visual way using a poster. Understand the nature of a poster session, how to create visual impact, and how to use PowerPoint in this context.

Fri 12th June

The Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room Shut Up and Work for early career researchers
12:30pm - 7:30pm
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
Work on your own writing, planning or literature discovery in a quiet but supportive environment. There will be time to set targets at the beginning of the day and there will be regular planned breaks to enable you to network or take a walk.

Mon 15th June

A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
5pm - 6pm
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme as a Postgraduate Researcher. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.

Wed 17th June

A student looking at a PC in the library Organising your research notes
1pm - 3pm
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
For Postgraduate Researchers who have begun gathering sources - develop a more structured approach to managing notes, explore different approaches to organising research notes and practical guidance on developing a clear and searchable system.

Thu 18th June

The Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room Shut Up and Work for early career researchers
12:30pm - 7:30pm
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
Work on your own writing, planning or literature discovery in a quiet but supportive environment. There will be time to set targets at the beginning of the day and there will be regular planned breaks to enable you to network or take a walk.

Fri 19th June

A staff member sits working at a laptop in a café space Literature searching: hints and tips for researchers
1pm - 3pm
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
This practical introduction to effective literature searching provides guidance on search strategy planning, the use of keywords and subject headings, and tips on managing search results.
Two people having a conversation Working effectively with your supervisor
5pm - 6:30pm
Online
Understand what to expect from the supervisor-PGR relationship, how to get the most from your supervisory team, and the support available to complement your supervision.

Tue 23rd June

Three people looking at a PC screen Researcher visibility essentials: ORCID and Pure
1pm - 2pm
Online
Learn how to create an ORCID profile for yourself that is recognised in academia and grows in value as your career progresses. Link it to your University of Birmingham Research Portal webpage to increase your discoverability.

Thu 25th June

A student in conversation with someone out of view Introduction to presentation skills
5pm - 7pm
Fourth Floor Training Room, Main Library
Are you a postgraduate researcher who wants to build your confidence in delivering presentations? This workshop covers the basics of a good presentation, including structure and visual aids. Get peer feedback on an informal presentation of your own.

Wed 1st July

An ASC advisor delivering a workshop PGT Summer Series - Research and Writing for Systematic Reviews
5pm - 6:30pm
Online
This session, for PGT students, will explore how to approach a systematic review, focusing in particular on searching the literature and writing up your findings.

Wed 8th July

An ASC advisor delivering a workshop PGT Summer Series - Dissertation Writing: Primary Research
5pm - 6:30pm
If your postgraduate dissertation is based on primary research and you need a bit of support and advice for writing and structuring it, then this is the workshop for you. Join the Academic Skills Centre for this online workshop.

Fri 10th July

The Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room Shut Up and Work for early career researchers
12:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
Work on your own writing, planning or literature discovery in a quiet but supportive environment. There will be time to set targets at the beginning of the day and there will be regular planned breaks to enable you to network or take a walk.

Thu 16th July

A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
5pm - 7pm
Room 112, Muirhead Tower
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.

Fri 17th July

A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
2pm - 3pm
Online
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.

Wed 22nd July

An ASC advisor delivering a workshop PGT Summer Series - Dissertation Writing: Secondary Research
5pm - 6:30pm
Online
If your postgraduate dissertation is chapter-based and uses secondary research, then this workshop will provide support and advice to help you with writing it up. Join the Academic Skills Centre for this online workshop.

Wed 29th July

An ASC advisor delivering a workshop PGT Summer Series - Communicating research: formatting, visuals and data presentation
5pm - 6:30pm
If your postgraduate dissertation involves primary research and you’d like support with formatting your document and communicating your findings, then this workshop is for you. Join the Academic Skills Centre for this online workshop.

Mon 10th August

A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
1pm - 3pm
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.

Wed 12th August

A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
6pm - 7pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.

Fri 14th August

The Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room Shut Up and Work for early career researchers
12:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library Fourth Floor Training Room
Work on your own writing, planning or literature discovery in a quiet but supportive environment. There will be time to set targets at the beginning of the day and there will be regular planned breaks to enable you to network or take a walk.

Wed 19th August

An ASC advisor delivering a workshop PGT Summer Series - Editing and proofreading your dissertation
5pm - 6:30pm
Online
If you've recently finished a full or partial draft of your dissertation, then this workshop will provide guidance on how to approach editing and proofreading. Join the Academic Skills Centre for this online workshop.

Thu 10th September

A person sits at a table Preparing for your viva
7pm - 8pm
Online
The viva is an important part of the assessment for your programme. Attend this workshop in the months approaching your viva to do some practical activities to help you prepare.

Tue 15th September

A student sits at a laptop, in conversation Getting your thesis ready
5pm - 7pm
Online
For postgraduate researchers (PGRs) approaching the final stages of preparing their thesis (4-6 months from submission), this workshop covers thesis presentation, the submission process and copyright considerations.
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