The Researcher Development Unit offers a curated selection of rotating skills-focused workshops to complement our career development programs and our funding and awards. These workshops extend our training suite with specialised insights and practical skills. These offerings are scheduled periodically and will be updated throughout the year.
Build your confidence and impact as a presenter in this practical 1-day course delivered by the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). In a small group of 10, you’ll receive hands-on practice and personalised feedback to strengthen your communication, physical and vocal presence, and storytelling to engage your audience.
Skill for AEF activities: Discover, create, and disseminate knowledge and understanding; Translate research with impact
Academic staff who are looking to increase their skills and confidence presenting and communicating their research to different audiences in a more engaging and impactful way. Places will be offered through a brief application process.
A full 1-day studio-based course covering:
Each session runs from 9 am-5 pm at NIDA studios in Kensington.
There are five dates available in 2026:
To apply to attend, complete the online EOI form including the date(s) you are available to attend.
Successful applications will:
Limited spots are available and diversity of participants across different faculties and schools will also be a consideration.
If selected, you will offered a place and receive a calendar invite. Once confirmed, you will be registered with NIDA, who will send further details.
Looking to increase public awareness of your research through the media? In this half-day workshop delivered by Science in Public, you’ll gain practical tips to improve how you speak about your research to internal and external stakeholders, with a focus on popular media. You’ll hear directly from TV and radio presenters on what makes an interesting research story and how to speak about your work, then engage in small group practice with feedback from a journalist.
Skill for AEF activities: Discover, create, and disseminate knowledge and understanding; Translate research with impact
Early- and mid-career researchers who want to learn how to pitch and talk about their research through public media outlets.
A half-day practical training workshop covering:
Thursday 20 August 2026.
1 pm-5pm at Camperdown Campus (in-person only).
To apply and attend, complete the online EOI form below.
Successful applications will:
Limited spots are available. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis so get in early to secure your place.
If selected and once your attendance is confirmed, you will receive a calendar invite with further details.
Learn how to translate the narrative of your research and it’s impact to gain public attention and effective coverage through journalistic outlets. In this workshop led by senior Conversation editors, gain practical tips and individual feedback on your own pitch to increase the likelihood of attracting positive media interest.
Skill for AEF activity: Discover, create, and disseminate knowledge and understanding
Academic staff who are considering pitching for an article in The Conversation or a similar public-facing outlet and want to learn how to pitch and write about their research for different audiences in a more engaging and impactful way.
After submitting a draft pitch via structured online form, participants will attend a 2.5 hour online workshop that includes individual feedback from a Conversation editor.
Topics covered include:
Each session runs from 10 am-12:30pm pm via Zoom.
There are four dates available in 2026:
To apply to attend, complete the EOI form below.
If selected and once dates have been confirmed, you will receive a calendar invite and be registered with The Conversation, who will send further details (including link for pre-work form) 3-4 weeks before the date.
This Nature Masterclass on scientific writing and publishing is delivered by Nature Portfolio editors and provides insight into publishing in top journals. It contains a unique overview of the writing process, what to include in each section of the paper and the publishing process. The editors will share their expert insight into what makes an exemplary paper and will discuss how participants can improve their scientific writing skills to create a polished manuscript ready for publication.
Skill for AEF activity: Discover, create, and disseminate knowledge and understanding
Early- and mid-career researchers from the disciplines of life sciences, physical sciences, clinical research or earth sciences. Places will be offered through a brief application process.
A full 1-day in person course run by two Nature editors covering:
Tuesday 2 June 2026
9 am-5 pm at Camperdown
EOIs are now closed
To apply to attend, complete the EOI form below including your supervisor details for us to obtain their endorsement. Please speak with them before submitting your application.
Applications close 28 April 2026, but applications will be assessed from April onwards so get in early to secure your place.
If successful and once your attendance is confirmed, you will receive a calendar invite and then further details about the pre-work closer to the time.
Have you ever thought of turning your research into a scholarly book but don’t know where to start? What makes academic books different to journal articles? Academic publishing can seem hard to navigate but this 90 minute interactive workshop will address some of the most common questions, misconceptions and Do’s and Don’ts surrounding the publishing process from book proposal to published book.
Early- and mid-career researchers in sociology, social science disciplines or humanities. Places will be offered through a brief application process.
An interactive 90 minute face to face workshop with Palgrave Macmillan Sociology editor Jessica Faecks, covering:
There are no current dates for this workshop. Please sign up to be notified of the next session.
There are no current dates for this workshop. Please sign up to be notified of the next session.
