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.

If you have any questions about academic writing support not covered below, please contact Dr Susan Mowbray, Academic Literacy Advisor with the Graduate Research School.

The '24/7 Writing Room' at Western Sydney

The Writing Room is a virtual 'always open' space where HDRs can work alongside other HDRs to independently progress their research and/or writing. You may use the Writing Room to help establish a regular writing/working routine for yourself, arrange to meet and work alongside other HDRs at specific times, and/or join the scheduled sessions to connect with other HDRs.

The wellbeing of all attendees in the 24/7 Writing Room is paramount and all interactions are expected to abide by the University’s Student Code of Conduct and Student Honour Code. If you experience any barriers that may affect your study, or want to optimise your study, please contact the Counselling Service, Welfare Service, Disability Service or eCounselling services. These services are available to you free of charge for the duration of your candidature.

To join the Writing Room, log in to Zoom:

• Zoom ID: 484 793 8103
• Password:  Writing@WS

Weekly Show Up & Write (via Zoom)

Each Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday you can join facilitated Show Up & Write sessions (opens in a new window) via Zoom. The sessions are open to everyone and use the Pomodoro technique (25 or 55 minutes dedicated writing and then a five minute break). No registration is required - just join in!

First Friday of the Month (FFM)

As the name indicates, the First Friday of the Month (FFM) sessions will run on the first Friday of each month, from 10.00am - 11.00am, in the 24/7 Writing Room.

To join the session, log in to Zoom:

• Zoom ID: 484 793 8103
• Password: Writing@WS

Each month, we will be joined by a guest presenter(s) and there will be the chance to ask questions, learn more about their area of expertise, exchange ideas, and share your insights and experiences. The FFM sessions provide a space where you can join other Higher Degree Researchers (HDRs) to learn about and use tools and strategies to progress your research and/or writing in a relaxed, interactive space.

Please mark the FFM in your calendar and feel free to email Dr Susan Mowbray with suggestions for topics you want to know more about.

First Saturday of the Month Writing Sessions (STS@WS)

First Saturday of the Month Thesis Writing Sessions (STS@WS) are exactly what the name indicates - an opportunity for HDRs to attend a regular and dedicated space to independently work on progressing their thesis in the company of other research candidates. 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!

These sessions will run on Parramatta City campus on the first Saturday of each month, and simultaneously in the 24/7 Writing Room, from 9.00am to 5.00pm. You can come for the whole day, an hour or anything in between! The sessions are facilitated by Dr Susan Mowbray, Academic Literacy Advisor for the GRS.

WHAT TO BRING

EQUIPMENT:

You need to bring a laptop to work on and a charger to connect to the power supply.

We are located in standard Learning Studios with rectangular tables and ergonomic chairs.

FOOD & DRINK:

The day is not catered. Please bring something to eat and drink to sip as you work.