Nature Masterclasses

Experiments: From Idea to Design

For researchers in the natural sciences who want to develop their experimental design skills. This course equips you with the right tools to help develop, plan and refine robust, impactful experiments. You will cover all the core concepts of experimental design and discover strategies to complete the full process of developing a research motivation, formulating hypotheses, assembling an experimental plan and utilising it.

Key features

• 9 experts in experimental design, including experienced researchers and Nature Portfolio journal editors
• 8.5 hours of learning
• 10-30-minute bite-sized lessons
• 4-module course with certificate

What you’ll learn

• The benefits of honing your experimental design skills before embarking on full-scale experiments
• How to develop research motivations, identify assumptions and formulate hypotheses
• How to select the precise methods, tools, techniques and protocols you need to answer your research question
• How to refine and make use of your experimental design

Finding Funding Opportunities

This course provides researchers with the skills needed to identify their professional and personal circumstances as well as research needs, and to find and prioritise funding opportunities that best fit their requirements and expertise.

Key features

• 5 experts in obtaining research funding, including a former programme director at a major funder, experienced researchers, and a research management consultant
• 3.5 hours of learning
• 10-30-minute bite-sized lessons
• 1-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• The funding landscape and the benefits of searching for and prioritising the best-fitting funding opportunities
• How to analyse your funding requirements while considering your personal and professional circumstances
• Strategies to find and keep track of suitable funding opportunities
• How best to shortlist different funding opportunities
• Strategies to prioritise and select those opportunities that best fit your needs

Persuasive Grant Writing

Learn how to use narrative tools to create grant applications that resonate with the audience – your chosen funder. In the course, you will discover how narrative tools can improve the quality of your grant applications, how understanding your funder will help you align your research question with their objectives and how to apply narrative tools across your grant applications to make them more informative and persuasive.

Key features

• 9 experts in grant writing, including researchers, programme officers from funding bodies, and the Chief Editor of the Nature Research Editing Service
• 7.5 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 3-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Understand how narrative tools can improve the quality of your grant applications
• How to align your grant proposal with the requirements and objectives of your chosen funder
• How to apply narrative tools when writing your grant proposal, to make it more informative, persuasive and engaging

Demystifying Grant Budgets: Webinar Recording

In this webinar recording, funding expert Riana Coetsee shares practical strategies on getting out of starting blocks with your grant budget, including an overview of your usual budget items, a budget narrative and insights on what information funders want to see.

Key features

• Learn from an expert research management and training consultant specialising in grant writing support of researchers at all levels
• 1 hour of learning
• Webinar recording with English captions and transcript

Data Analysis: Planning and Preparing

Learn the essential elements of robust data analysis during a research project. Discover how planning and preparing for data analysis will avoid time-consuming and costly mistakes, benefitting your immediate research and ultimately your reputation and career.

Key features

• 10 experts in data analysis, including experienced statisticians and data scientists, Nature Portfolio journal editors and early career researchers
• 4 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 2-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• The importance of planning and preparing for data analysis
• The key terms and processes relating to data analysis
• The principles of creating and updating a data analysis plan

Data Analysis: Conducting and Troubleshooting

Learn the key concepts, processes and methodologies of effective data analysis during research projects. In this course, you will discover how conducting effective data analysis will benefit your research and career, and learn how to implement best practices in order to maximise the outputs of your research.

Key features

• 10 experts in data analysis, including experienced statisticians and data scientists, Nature Portfolio journal editors and early career researchers
• 5 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 3-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• The importance of conducting effective data analysis
• The best tools for exploring various datasets
• The range of analytic methods available, and understanding which is most suited to your data
• Strategies for obtaining feedback, troubleshooting, and expressing the limitations of your analysis

Interpreting Scientific Results

This course is aimed at all researchers in the natural sciences who want to develop their skills in adequately interpreting results. It provides the knowledge, life-long practical skills and confidence required to address their scientific question, contextualise their findings to understand the bigger picture, as well as what they bring to their scientific field, and write an interpretation with a focus on their key message.

Key features

• 5 experts in interpreting results, including a Nature Portfolio journal editor and experienced researchers, statisticians and data scientists
• 3.5 hours of learning
• 10-20-minute bite-sized lessons
• 1 module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Recognise and avoid the most common pitfalls when interpreting results
• Understand the steps you can take if their results are unexpected
• Address your research aims, contextualise your findings and understand how they advance their scientific field
• Communicate findings with a focus on your key message

Managing Research Data

Learn the key elements of effective data management during research projects. In this course you will discover how good data management will benefit your research and career, and learn how to implement best practices in research data management in order to maximise the outputs of your research.

Key features

• 10 experts in data management, including researchers, funders, data publishing and institutional data management specialists
• 10 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 4-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Why effective data management is beneficial to your research and your career
• How to create and maintain a data management plan
• How to apply best practices for organising, storing, archiving and quality checking your data
• How to ensure that your data is understandable to yourself and others
• The pros and cons of different options for sharing your data

Focus on Peer Review

This course will teach researchers the foundations of good peer review.

Key features

• 11 Nature Portfolio journal editors and 2 active researchers
• 3.5 hours of learning
• 10-minute bite-sized lessons
• 4-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• The importance and responsibilities of peer reviewers
• How to prepare a peer review report
• Ethics and innovations in peer review

Writing and Publishing a Review Paper: 2nd Edition

Review papers are critical for advancing scientific knowledge. They bring together recent literature and provide critical analysis on specific topics, helping researchers explore future directions and challenges in the field. Writing and publishing a review paper is a powerful way to grow as a researcher by establishing expertise and opening networking opportunities.

In this course, you will learn approaches, techniques and skills important for writing a strong review paper as you are guided through the writing and publishing process.

This is the second edition of the highly popular ‘Writing and Publishing a Review Paper’ course. We recommend you take this updated version.

Key features

• With insights from seven experts in reviews, including four Nature Portfolio Chief Editors
• 4 hours of learning
• 5-25-minute lessons
• 17-lesson course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Build the foundations of a strong review paper by identifying the motivation, refining the audience and choosing the writing team
• Select, evaluate and synthesise primary literature efficiently
• Apply scientific writing principles to construct an engaging and informative review paper
• Identify and create effective display items that will add value
• Navigate the submission process for both solicited and unsolicited reviews

Writing a Research Paper: 2nd Edition

Writing research papers allows you to contribute to the scientific record, and is critical for advancing your career. To ensure that the findings you have invested so much effort in have an impact on your scientific community, it is pivotal that the paper you write is effective. In other words, it needs to be informative, concise, well structured and engaging. An effective research paper makes it easier to convey to editors and reviewers the significance of presented outcomes. It also provides researchers with the information they need, boosting dissemination of your work.

This course will introduce you to powerful narrative tools and principles of scientific writing. It will also teach you how to apply them to your next manuscript.

This is the second edition of the highly popular ‘Writing a Research Paper’ course. We recommend you take this updated version even if you have already started the first edition.

Key features

• With insights from 12 experts in scientific writing, including Nature Portfolio editors
• 14.5 hours of learning
• 10-50-minute lessons
• 5-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Understand what makes an effective research paper
• Gain insights on the preferred structure of a Nature published paper
• Leverage narrative tools and their application to scientific writing
• Master the principles of scientific writing style
• Write a research paper section by section
• Develop effective titles and abstracts
• Finalise your research paper for submission

Publishing a Research Paper: 2nd Edition

Publishing a scientific paper is an essential stage in the research process. Whether you are new to academic publishing or seeking to improve your publication success, this course offers a comprehensive overview of how to navigate the editorial process, including submissions, peer review and revisions. It will provide you with widely applicable best practices and strategies to help you progress towards smooth and seamless publication at a scholarly journal.

This is the second edition of the highly popular ‘Publishing a Research Paper’ course. We recommend you take this updated version.

Key features

• With insights from 12 experts in scientific publishing, including Nature Portfolio editors and prominent researchers
• 6 hours of learning
• 10-30-minute lessons
• 2-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Become familiar with journal editorial guidance and policies
• Format your paper for submission and write an engaging cover letter
• Understand the editorial and peer review process and different editorial decisions
• Learn how to revise your manuscript and respond to reviewer comments, and understand your options if your manuscript is rejected
• Be aware of self-archiving and embargo policies to ensure you share your paper appropriately

Choosing the Best Journal for Your Paper

With thousands of journals available and some disreputable ones to avoid, selecting the best one to showcase your hard-earned results can be challenging but crucial. But what does ‘best’ mean? Readership, quality, prestige, and publication cost are key factors. It’s also important not to overlook factors like article access and editorial services. In this course, you will learn a step-by-step process for choosing the most appropriate scholarly journals to target for your paper, and how to prioritise which journal to submit your paper to first.

Key features

• With insights from 12 researchers and experts in journal selection and academic publishing
• 4 hours of learning
• 5-20-minute lessons
• 3-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Know why and when you should start searching for the best journals
• Choose the most appropriate type of journal based on the content of your paper
• Identify journals that reach your target audience
• Evaluate other factors when choosing your journal and how to interpret them, including journal quality, aims and scope, publishing model, cost of publication and additional services offered
• Choose which journal to submit to first
• Utilise pre-submission enquiries to check if a journal is the best fit

Research Integrity: Publication Ethics

This course will assist researchers to master the essential steps for publishing work with the highest standards of integrity. By providing practical strategies to implement editorial policies the course serves as a toolbox, enabling researchers to navigate the whole writing and publishing process. The course supports researchers in publishing with integrity, allowing them to confidently contribute to the scientific record.

Key features

• 7 experts in publication ethics, including a Nature Portfolio journal Chief Editor, Caltech’s Chief Research Policy Officer and an elected member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Council
• 8 hours of learning
• 10-40-minute lessons
• 3-module course with a course certificate

What you'll learn

• How to select a reputable journal and locate editorial policies and ethical guidance
• Maintain image and data integrity and availability
• Reuse material with appropriate permissions
• Properly cite your own work and that of others
• Avoid common authorship disputes
• Make relevant declarations about your research and publication, including conflicts of interest
• Appropriately navigate revisions
• Address post-publication issues

Strengthening Your Reviews: In Conversation with Nature Portfolio Editors

Review papers play a powerful role in the advancement of science. As a researcher, being able to write a great review paper will enable you to influence the way that your peers perceive the challenges, opportunities and future directions of your field. Our revamped course Writing and Publishing a Review Paper: 2nd Edition provides you with practical skills to sharpen your review writing, and the confidence to navigate publishing your own reviews.

In this corresponding webinar, join experts Giulia Pacchioni, Chief Editor of Nature Reviews Materials, and Silvia Conti, Associate Editor of Nature Reviews Electrical Engineering, as they answer your questions on the challenges that you face when planning and writing a review paper.

Key features

• Learn tips on how to get started with, write and structure review papers from two Nature Reviews editors
• 1 hour of learning
• Webinar recording with English captions and transcript

Navigating Scientific Writing

Scientific writing can be daunting, especially when working towards your first publication. Writing a research paper is critical for any researcher’s success and our revamped, improved course Writing a Research Paper: 2nd Edition is a solid platform to gain the skills to navigate your scientific writing journey. While we have made every effort to make this course as comprehensive as possible, scientific writing is nuanced and it is normal for researchers to have more questions.

In this webinar recording, Davide Esposito, Chief Editor of Nature Catalysis and Zoltan Fehervari, Senior Editor of Nature provide answers to frequent questions on scientific writing.

Key features

• Learn about scientific writing from two Nature Portfolio editors from different areas of the natural sciences
• 2 hours of learning
• Webinar recording with English captions and transcript

Maximising the Impact of Your Paper

Publishing your research is a critical milestone, but it’s only the beginning of your paper’s journey. There are essential steps you can take to promote and share your research with the world and ensure maximal exposure. In this course, you will learn about the different types of impact that your published research can have, and we will explore strategies for promoting your paper and tracking its impact.

Key features

• With insights from 8 researchers and experts in promoting papers and measuring impact
• 1.5 hours of learning
• 5-15-minute lessons
• 8-lesson course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Appreciate why it’s important to promote your paper
• Understand what research impact means
• Learn how to publicise your paper
• Be aware of strategies for measuring research impact
• Understand how to track your paper’s reach using article-level metrics

Advancing your Scientific Presentations

This course teaches you how to create more memorable and engaging presentations to your scientific peers. In the course, you will discover how you can develop your research story – the foundation of your presentation – using narrative tools, how to build a slide deck that supports and enhances your presentation, and how to prepare to deliver your presentation on the day.

Key features

• 10 experts who excel at presenting their work, including renowned presentation designers, and trainers and experts in narrative tools
• 10 hours of learning
• 15-minute lessons
• 4-module course with course certificate

What you'll learn

• To identify techniques that can help to overcome the challenges that researchers commonly face when creating and delivering oral presentations
• To build compelling research stories to use as the foundation for your presentations
• To create professional slide decks that effectively communicate your research findings to your audience
• To apply strategies to help you deliver your presentation effectively on the day, in both virtual and face-to-face environments

Creating Successful Research Posters

In today’s fast-paced world of research, effective communication is key. An engaging research poster is a great way to visually share your findings concisely and broaden your professional network with other researchers. Learn how to craft great engaging research posters and prepare a handout and conversation that will captivate your audience. Whether you’re a student presenting your first poster at a conference or an early career researcher seeking feedback and collaborations, this course will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence and improve your chances of success.

Key features

• 5 experts in science communication and research poster design and presentation
• 4.5 hours of learning
• 10–35-minute lessons
• 1-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Set communication goals for your poster presentations
• Identify your audience and select your key message and supporting material
• Select the visual elements and supporting text for your poster
• Design a poster that will communicate your key message effectively
• Use your poster to spark great conversations about your research

Effective Science Communication

Knowing how to effectively communicate research with non-experts requires a certain skillset that can be learned and developed with practice. This course will provide researchers with the core tools and techniques to help them communicate any piece of research, published or unpublished, to a variety of different audiences. It covers the essential steps, including identifying communication goals, understanding different audiences, and crafting a key message. The course also explores the different communication methods and channels available.

Key features

• 8 experts in science communication, science writing and editing, science outreach, engagement and presentations, and the Springer Nature press office
• 6.5 hours of learning
• 10–30-minute lessons
• 1-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Compare different audience requirements to help you tailor your communications
• Select a relevant communication channel for your specific needs in a particular instance
• Understand how storytelling techniques can build a compelling scientific story to communicate your research
• Apply strategies to help you communicate your research in an accessible and persuasive way to a non-scientific audience
• Tips and techniques for communicating your research via writing, public talks and presentations, social media and media interviews

Narrative Tools for Researchers

Learn how to use narrative techniques to help you communicate your research to the scientific community in an effective, compelling and memorable way.

Key features

• 10 experts in using narrative techniques in scientific communication, including researchers, Nature Portfolio journal editors and science journalists
• 8.5 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 3-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• The benefits of using narrative tools to communicate your research more effectively to scientific peers and stakeholders
• How to create and combine narrative elements to build a compelling scientific story
• How to refine your research story depending on the audience and format for your communication

Increasing Your Visibility as a Researcher Using Social Media

Do you already use social media to share your latest findings, but struggle to make yourself visible to a wider audience? Are you actively figuring out creative ways to get people interested in your scientific contributions and grow your network? You may already have taken our courses Effective Science Communication and Networking for Researchers to build your academic presence; however, establishing a meaningful presence online requires not only patience, but also social media acumen sharpened over time.

Extending your reach on social media can help you open the door to grants, collaborations, or your next (academic) position – opportunities that might not have been possible otherwise.

In this webinar recording, social media expert and rising cosmologist Sophia Gad-Nasr shares her insight into building a meaningful social media presence as a scientist over time. She also discusses how researchers can use social media to their greater advantage.

Key features

• Learn how to communicate complex scientific ideas on different social media platforms
• 1 hour of learning
• Webinar recording with English captions and transcript

Building a Strong Online Researcher Profile

Being easily found and contacted online by different stakeholders such as journal editors, industry professionals, journalists and fellow researchers is crucial in fostering collaborations and advancing your career.

This microlearning course aims to equip you with the essential skills to build and optimise your online researcher profile(s).

You will learn how to choose the right websites and platforms to build your profile(s), craft effective bios, and select optimal keywords. You will also develop actionable techniques on how to boost your visibility and maximise your chances of success in today’s interconnected digital landscape.

Key features

• The course was developed in collaboration with a team of 5 experts including journal editors, researchers, journalists and recruiters
• Microlearning format
• 1 hour of learning
• 5 bite-sized lessons with certificate

What you'll learn

• Understand the importance of having a strong online researcher profile
• Be familiar with the requirements of professionals who may look at your profile
• Strategically choose the right platforms for your researcher profile
• Generate great bios with the right keywords for your expertise
• Boost the visibility of your work and experience

Getting an Academic Research Position

This course will show researchers how to get an academic research position that suits them perfectly. It will teach them the skills to find, select and apply to suitable roles, send tailored applications, and impress potential employers at the interview.

Key features

• 11 experts in research career development, including experienced academic researchers, Nature Portfolio journal editors, and coaching and careers specialists
• 9.5 hours of learning
• 10-30-minute bite-sized lessons
• 4-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• How to find potential career opportunities that align with your personal attributes, desires and goals
• How to apply for positions in a way that will highlight your strongest attributes and most relevant qualities
• How to present yourself authentically and effectively during all stages of the interview process, giving you the best possible chance of success
• How to assess whether a job you are offered is suitable and choose between competing job offers

Leveraging Your Online Researcher Profile

Having a profile online can be beneficial for researchers seeking to advance their career. However, crafting an outstanding profile with maximised potential requires an understanding of different platforms, writing a strong bio with the right keywords, and more. Our microlearning course Building a Strong Online Researcher Profile contains all the information for you to get started.

To enhance your learning further, in this webinar recording, six experts across various fields answer questions from our audience that may emerge as you build your online profile. Our experts include two researchers, two journalists, one recruiting and communications manager, and one Nature Portfolio Editor.

Key features

• Learn how best to utilise online researcher profiles from six experts, including researchers, journalists, recruiters and Nature Portfolio editors
• 1 hour of learning
• Webinar recording with English captions and transcript

Introduction to Collaboration

This course introduces the idea of research collaboration and how becoming a more effective collaborator could help to further both your research and your career. Even if you’ve already participated in collaborative research, this course provides a useful introduction to the topic of research collaboration, as well as valuable context and advice around the pros and cons of collaborative projects and how they can help you reach your goals.

Key features

• 14 experts in collaboration, including researchers, funders, editors and professionals
• 2.5 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 1-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Why collaborative research is becoming more prevalent
• The pros and cons of collaborating
• The specifics of collaborating with industry
• How collaborative projects can help advance your research and career

Participating in a Collaboration

Learn how to ensure you make a meaningful contribution when you join a collaborative project. The course will help to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to become an effective and valuable member of the team. This course is particularly suited to researchers who have little or no experience in working collaboratively.

Key features

• 6 experts in collaboration, including researchers, funders, editors and professionals
• 5 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 1-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Strategies for working in a new research team
• Key collaborative skills such as dividing tasks, managing your time, and communicating efficiently
• Tools to help you collaborate
• How to plan to maximise the skills, ideas and contacts you’ll gain from collaborating
• How to overcome possible roadblocks when participating in collaborative projects

Leading a Collaboration

If you already have collaborative experience and are ready to initiate your own research collaboration, ‘Leading a Collaboration’ covers all aspects of setting up, leading, managing and closing down your own collaborative research project.

Key features

• 16 experts in collaboration, including researchers, funders, editors and professionals
• 11.5 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 3-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• Identify and approach potential collaborators with the right skills and expertise
• Effective leadership behaviours to drive a successful project
• Set up collaboration agreements, codes of conduct, and project management plans
• Seek and apply for funding for your project
• Keep collaborators motivated, monitor progress, and address delays
• Manage challenges including conflict between collaborators, stress, ethical misconduct, administering shared funds and resources, and going over-budget
• Maximise the outputs, value and impact of your collaboration
• Publishing collaborative papers
• How to wrap-up a collaborative project that has reached its goals, or end a project early if required

Networking for Researchers

Learn the key elements needed to acquire or perfect effective professional networking skills for scientific researchers. In this course you will discover how building a professional network will benefit your research and career, and learn the skills to build and maintain networking connections in a variety of settings, both in-person and online.

Key features

• 10 experts in networking, including researchers, experienced academic networkers, fellows, networking consultants and communications specialists
• 8 hours of learning
• 15-minute bite-sized lessons
• 4-module course with certificate

What you'll learn

• The theory behind and the importance of networking, and how to use your research and career goals to guide you to find appropriate networking opportunities
• How to research and prepare key resources to help you build an effective network
• Strategies to approach and connect with potential contacts, and how to follow up – both in person and online
• Strategies for nurturing your networking contacts, and how to leverage them to advance your research and career