Academic Writing Support

The Graduate Research School offers a number of initiatives that aim to enhance the research and writing environment for higher degree research candidates at Western Sydney University.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the following initiatives are being offered online via Zoom. Use the links below at the relevant times to join the sessions.

Writing Spaces at Western Sydney: WS@WS

Writing Spaces at Western Sydney (WS@WS) are exactly what the name indicates - dedicated and supported writing time to focus in the company of others. These sessions are currently being offered via Zoom and are facilitated by Dr Susan Mowbray, Academic Literacy Advisor.

You can come to one or all of the sessions, for the whole day, an hour or anything in between!

No registration is required for these sessions - just come along when you can!

For more information about WS@WS, please contact the Graduate Research School at grs.hdr@westernsydney.edu.au.

Saturday Thesis Sessions: STS@WS

Saturday Thesis Sessions provide research candidates with a regular, facilitated and self-directed writing space where they can focus on progressing their research/thesis for an extended period of time. This may be writing up findings, redrafting a chapter, mapping the methodology, planning the literature review, critically reviewing and summarising literature - whatever needs to be done!

STS@WS run on the first Saturday of each month at Parramatta South Campus from 9.00am to 6.00pm. All research candidates at any stage of their candidature are welcome to attend. 1:1 support to discuss you work is available by appointments made on the day.

For more information about academic literacy support, contact the Graduate Research School at grs.hdr@westernsydney.edu.au.

Saturday Workshop Sessions: SWS@WS

Each month, as part of the STS@WS, a Saturday Workshop Session will run from 10.00am to 12.00pm. Each month's workshop will cover a different aspect of managing and sustaining progress during the thesis process, as per the schedule below.

Note: Registrations for these workshops are separate to the STS@WS registrations and may have limited places, as advised.

HDR Writing Cafes at Western Sydney

HDR Writing Cafes at Western Sydney provide regular and accessible avenues of social writing support, currently being hosted online via Zoom. HDR candidates can join the sessions to meet other HDR candidates, discuss their research and/or work alongside other candidates in an online social space.

The sessions are facilitated by Dr Susan Mowbray, GRS Academic Literacy Advisor.

No registration is required for these sessions - just come along when you can!

Shut Up & Write (via Zoom)

Each week, Susan hosts online Shut Up & Write sessions(opens in a new window) via Zoom. The sessions are open to everyone and use the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes dedicated writing and then a five minute break). When we officially finish the session, we will have a virtual chat over a cuppa and get to know each other! No registration is required.

We hope to see you at a session for some dedicated writing and to connect with others in the research community.

Wednesday Shut Up & Write (via Twitter)

Each Wednesday morning from 10.00am to 12.00pm, Billy hosts an online Shut Up & Write session(opens in a new window) via Twitter. The session is open to everyone and uses the Pomodoro technique (25 minutes dedicated writing and then a five minute break).

No registration is required - just join when you can!

Shut Up & Write @ Western Sydney University(opens in a new window)

We hope to see you at a session for some dedicated writing and to connect with others in the research community.

Online Thesis Writing Groups

Online Thesis Writing Groups are facilitated by Dr Susan Mowbray, Academic Literacy Advisor. Typically, TWGs have up to three participants and meet once a fortnight via Zoom for up to two hours at a time convenient to all members. This may be within or outside business hours. Participants share and critique their writing and the writing of other members of the group with members sending up to five A4 pages of writing to their peers 48 hours prior to the planned session. This allows time for all members to review the work and formulate their comments and any questions. At the meetings, each member’s piece of writing is discussed and reviewed for up to 30 minutes with the facilitator returning the reviewed piece of writing to the author with comments, suggestions and queries in track changes.

Online Thesis Writing Groups are an informal and supportive space where students can discuss their research, ask questions of peers and share any concerns/issues they may be encountering, as described by two members here.(opens in a new window) These groups help to reduce isolation and promote candidates’ sensibilities and skills in providing constructive feedback and explaining their research to other audiences.

If you are interested in joining an Online TWG, please contact s.mowbray@westernsydney.edu.au.