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.

Our facilitated writing initiatives are now in recess and will resume from February 2021 as detailed below.

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.

To join the Writing Room, log in to Zoom:

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

Writing Spaces at Western Sydney: WS@WS

Writing Spaces at Western Sydney (WS@WS) are exactly what the name indicates - writing spaces that provide HDRs with a dedicated time to focus on their thesis in the company of others. 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! 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!

These sessions run on campus on a weekday once a month and simultaneously in the 24/7 Writing Room (details above). Each session is facilitated by Dr Susan Mowbray, Academic Literacy Advisor for the Graduate Research School.

HDR Writing Cafes at Western Sydney

HDR Writing Cafes at Western Sydney provide regular and accessible avenues of social writing support on campus once a month. The Writing Cafes provide a space for HDR candidates to meet with peers, discuss their research and work alongside other candidates to progress their work. Look for the stand-up GRS banner at the location - that marks the meeting spot!

The sessions are facilitated by Dr Susan Mowbray, Academic Literacy Advisor for the Graduate Research School.

No registration is required for these sessions - just come along when you can and look for the GRS stand-up banner!

Show Up & Write (via Zoom)

The facilitated Show Up & Write sessions will resume from Monday 1 February 2021.

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!

Online Thesis Writing Groups

All our online Thesis Writing Groups are currently full. An Expression of Interest to join a group will be sent out later in the year for prospective new group members.

Online Thesis Writing Groups will resume from Monday 1 February 2021.

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.