Research development workshops

Helping academics protect their time, build their confidence and turn their research into publications

Academic success requires more than research expertise. Academics need the time, confidence, systems and support to turn their ideas into meaningful research outcomes.

I design practical research development workshops that help HDR candidates, academics, supervisors and research leaders overcome the barriers that prevent research from progressing.

With more than 15 years’ experience working with universities, I combine academic writing expertise, research experience and coaching approaches to create engaging workshops that lead to a change in practice.

Tailored workshops for your research community

Every university, faculty and research group has different priorities. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all approach, I work with you to design a workshop that aligns with your goals, participants and available time.

Goals could include:

  • supporting HDR candidates to progress with confidence
  • helping academics prioritise and protect time for research
  • improving publication outcomes
  • strengthening supervision practice
  • developing positive research cultures
  • supporting researchers at different career stages.

Workshops can be designed for:

  • HDR candidates
  • early- and mid-career researchers
  • academic staff
  • supervisors
  • research leaders and teams.

Format options include:

  • online workshops
  • in-person workshops (half-day or full-day)
  • hybrid events
  • a multi-workshop series.

Research development areas

Prioritising research time

Many academics value research but struggle to make consistent progress alongside teaching, administration and other responsibilities.

Workshops can explore:

  • identifying research priorities
  • creating realistic research routines
  • making progress in small, consistent blocks of time
  • protecting research time in busy academic roles
  • planning projects and maintaining momentum.
Building confidence as a researcher

Research requires more than knowledge and skills. Confidence, self-belief and the ability to navigate uncertainty play an important role in turning ideas into outcomes.

Workshops can explore:

  • overcoming research procrastination
  • managing perfectionism and fear of judgement
  • developing confidence in academic writing and publishing
  • moving from feeling stuck to taking action
  • building sustainable research habits.
Publishing research

Turning research into publications can feel overwhelming without a clear process and strategy.

Workshops can explore:

  • developing a structured approach to journal articles
  • moving from ideas and notes to a clear argument
  • writing productively and consistently
  • editing strategically
  • responding to feedback
  • preparing manuscripts for submission.
Leading research teams

Research leaders and supervisors play a critical role in creating environments where researchers can succeed.

Workshops can explore:

  • supporting researchers to develop confidence and independence
  • supervising for publication
  • helping teams protect time for research
  • building positive research cultures
  • creating accountability systems that support progress
  • developing productive research teams.

A practical approach that creates change

My workshops are designed to move beyond information delivery. Participants engage with practical strategies, reflection activities and discussion that help them apply new approaches to their own research context.

Whether you are supporting HDR candidates, developing academic staff or strengthening research leadership, I can work with you to create a workshop that meets your organisation’s priorities.

Discuss your research development goals

If you are looking for a workshop to support your researchers, supervisors or academic leaders, get in touch to discuss your goals and develop a tailored approach.

Thank you for your wonderful workshop ‘Getting the story right: Writing the first draft’. I have been suffering from ‘Can't get started’ disease and your workshop helped me immensely. What I really found helpful was the workbook exercises alongside your reassurance that free writing and bullet points are okay to begin with. I went home after your workshop and wrote out the entire first draft of my literature review. It was in bullet point form, but once I did this I was then able to start writing sentences and plugging in my evidence. This was such a relief to me! And my supervisor was incredibly impressed with my progress at our next meeting. So thank you from the bottom of my heart and the top of my brain — you were able to connect the two for me.

LM, PhD student, Newcastle

We have been offering Malini’s workshops to our HDR students for three years now, and they have been extremely popular. Students gain a lot from the structured process and opportunity to apply specific techniques to their own writing. Malini workshops provide participants with a clear writing process based on her extensive experience that helps students reflect on their own writing style and identify structured opportunities for improvement.

HDR Education Coordinator, Adelaide