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!
DAY | TIME | VENUE |
---|---|---|
Monday, every week (excluding public holidays) | 10.00am - 12.00pm | Zoom ID: 4847 938 103 |
Tuesday, every week | 7.30pm - 9.00pm | Zoom ID: 4847 938 103 |
Wednesday, every week | 10.00am - 12.00pm | Zoom ID: 4847 938 103 |
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.
DATE | TOPICS | OUTLINE |
---|---|---|
Fri 3 Feb | Creating your Online Profile. | An important part of your post graduate study to ensure that you have the appropriate online presence. The first session of the year will take you through the 2 profiles you need to create, and we will discuss how they impact your research and career. |
Fri 3 March | How assistive technologies can help save time and enhance focus in your reading. | Assistive Technologies Team. |
Fri 7 April | Good Friday Public Holiday. | No FFM |
Fri 5 May | How assistive technologies can help save time and enhance focus in your writing. | Assistive Technologies Team. |
Fri 2 June | Locating thesis Exemplars and how to use them. | This session will discuss the ways an HDR candidate may want to use a thesis. We will look at howe to find them, why you might want to locate one and what you can get from reading one. |
Fri 7 July | How assistive technologies can help with transcribing. | Assistive Technologies Team. |
Fri 4 August | Defining, Storing and Managing your Data. | This session dives into using and storing data. What is it? How can you use it in an ethical manner? How to access datasets, etc. |
Fri 1 September | Identifying and Using Scholarly Literature. | This session takes a dive into the ways the library databases can assist HDR students with identifying, locating and accessing scholarly literature. |
Fri 6 October | Searching Systematically (great for those thinking about completing a systematic Review). | Are you working on a Systematic review? This specialised type of searching is commonly used in Health Sciences. This session will assist you with the complexities of creating a review that ticks all the boxes. |
Fri 3 November | Preparing your publishing plan. | Publishing is part of working in academic, but there are lots of things to consider. |
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.
DATE | TIME | VENUE |
---|---|---|
Sat 4 February | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 4 March | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 1 April | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 6 May | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 3 June | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 1 July | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 5 August | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 2 September | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 7 October | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 4 November | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
Sat 2 December | 9.00am - 5.00pm | Parramatta City Campus Learning Studio, Level 7, 39A & 39B |
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