In-person workshops

Information is everywhere. If you want to learn anything you can ask Dr Google and get, at the very least, enough information to get you started. Academic writing is no different — there is no shortage of blog posts and books and courses that will teach you a step-by-step process for getting it done.

For years I also taught a writing process. In fact, I still teach it. But what I also know, as a coach, is that for many people a process isn't enough. People love my training courses and feel inspired to take action on the day of the event; however, I've no doubt that when they get back to their desk and the rest of the real world, many still struggle to find time to write, to say no to requests on their time and to overcome the fear of rejection to submit their document.

That is why my workshops are a blend of teaching, coaching and facilitation. I will give you a step-by-step process to follow when writing your paper. But I will also help you overcome the emotional hurdles that result in writer's block; this is actually the work you need to do but that is rarely addressed in the world of academia. And, for teams, I will help you work together so that your research group is operating as a cohesive unit rather than a random collection of individuals.

I prefer to run these workshops in person because I want participants to do the work. It is easy to hide behind a computer screen or multitask and think that you'll revisit the materials 'later'. But later never comes and the opportunity is missed. Instead, together, you will connect with your peers and actually try the techniques that I teach, so that you can hit the ground running when you get back to your office. You will discuss strategies together so that you can work effectively and efficiently as a team. And I know that when people are together in a room, they share their thoughts and feelings, which makes everyone realise that they are not alone in their writing struggles.

I have been delivering workshops for 20 years and can tailor something for your group about writing with confidence, writing and editing efficiently, making time to write, how to give and receive writing feedback, how to manage a publication, etc. I find that the best thing is to have a chat to work out the scope of the training so that I can ensure the time is spent helping you and your team with the skills that they need.

Here are two popular workshops that can be adapted to be a half day or a full day:

Leading for publication: Empowering your academic team to publish regularly

This workshop is designed for senior academics who want to strengthen their leadership skills to foster a productive, publication-focused research culture. Through practical strategies, real-world case studies and interactive discussion, participants will learn how to set clear expectations, motivate team members, manage common publication bottlenecks and create sustainable writing momentum across their group.

Whether you're leading an emerging lab or a large interdisciplinary team, this session will equip you with the tools to drive consistent scholarly output without burning out yourself or your researchers.

Ten steps to academic writing success: An efficient (and enjoyable) strategy to write, submit and publish

Graduate students can feel overwhelmed at the thought of writing their thesis or journal articles. This often means they avoid their writing altogether or waste countless hours sitting at the computer with writer’s block. The result is writing at the very last minute and then submitting something that has been produced in a hurry. Unfortunately, supervisors, reviewers and examiners can probably tell if they are reading something that is a first draft rather than a more polished piece.

This ten-step academic writing framework helps writers break down the writing process into manageable chunks. By following this proven process, you can get started on your document with confidence much earlier and produce a high-quality piece of writing with way less stress.

And, once you see yourself as a person who is knowledgeable and who has something interesting to say, you can even learn to enjoy the writing process!

By the end of this workshop, you will:

• understand the publishing process
• value your time and expertise
• know how to write using short bursts of time
• understand the different stages of editing
• be able to submit, despite the fear.

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Costs are $5500+GST for a one-day workshop (or two half-day workshops) and $4000+GST for a half-day workshop, inclusive of travel costs.