Research Commons: Workshops for graduate students & postdoctoral fellows

The Research Commons is pleased to offer you a range of workshops, developed in the context of SFU Library's Instruction Strategy. You can register for upcoming workshops and search by workshop date in our workshops calendar.  

If you do not see the topic(s) you are interested in and/or would like a specialized workshop for yourself and a group of colleagues, please send a request to research-commons@sfu.ca.

SFU values diversity and is committed to inclusion. If you require any disability-related accommodations in order to fully access and participate in our workshops and/or events, please contact us directly at library-workshops@sfu.ca. All communication will be kept confidential. Please contact us as early as possible as some accommodations will require lead time to arrange (i.e. CART, ASL)

Unaffiliated with SFU but interested in attending a workshop? See Who can register for SFU Library Research Commons workshops.

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Digital Humanities workshops

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Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) workshops

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Knowledge Mobilization workshops

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Learning workshops

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Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

Research Data Management workshops

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 For assistance with research data management, please contact data-services@sfu.ca.

 Check out our recorded workshops on topics in research data management.

Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

Research Programming workshops

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Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

Research Software workshops

 Citation Management

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Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

 GIS

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Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

Web GIS Workshop Series

In the past decade, revolutionary internet technologies have driven Geographic Information System (GIS) to expand far beyond the professional GIS community. Many individuals who lack traditional GIS trainings- engineers, entrepreneurs, journalists, researchers- have been involved in web cartography work. The empowerment is fueled by geospatially enabled technologies such as Global Positional Systems (GPS), the Internet, and user-friendly cartography tools. This workshop series will give you a taste of this new ecosystem, introducing you to a range of concepts, tools, and skills which include how web map is structured, how to create one, how to collaboratively collect field data and populate to a shared web map, and how to combine maps and digital storytelling to communicate your research.

All workshops in this series are designed for beginners- no previous GIS knowledge is required. Attend as many or as few sessions as you like.

Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

 Python

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 Qualitative Data Analysis

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 Please email nvivo-rc@sfu.ca for NVivo support or visit the NVivo: Software for Research Analysis webpage.

Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

 R (Software)

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 Consultation appointments in R are available, please email us at data-services@sfu.ca with some details on your specific question about using R. Data anonymization: note that any data needs to be suitably anonymized if working with sensitive subjects before meeting with the Research Programming Peer. 

Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

 Visual Analytics

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Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

Scholarly Communication workshops

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Next semester's workshops will be posted soon.

Thesis workshops 

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 If you are unable to attend one of our thesis template workshops, check out our online tutorials on using the Thesis Word Template.
  For more information, please email the Thesis Office or book an appointment using the online booking system for a one-on-one consultation.

Thesis Writing Retreat

  About the workshop

Join us for three days of dedicated writing time and make genuine progress on your thesis, project, or capstone.
 
We’ll have a beautiful space to work, facilitated sessions that animate the writing experience, and optional programming around writing, research, the thesis template, and thesis-adjacent topics such as the graduate student well-being and the grad student–supervisor relationship. Also, healthy meals and snacks will be provided for all three days.
 

Register for upcoming workshops

DatesLocation
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 8:30am to 5:00pm
Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 8:30am to 5:00pm
Friday, December 8, 2023 - 8:30am to 5:00pm
Burnaby, Bennett Library, Rm 7000, Research Commons

Writing workshops

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BIPOC Writers Meet & Greet Q&A

About the workshop

Join Chelene Knight for an engaging and interactive session designed exclusively for SFU BIPOC students. This informal gathering promises an insightful exploration of various aspects of creative life.

During this session, you'll have the chance to ask Chelene  any burning questions you may have about writing, the publishing industry, and joy. Additionally, I'll be sharing my insights on a set of frequently asked questions that are commonly encountered by aspiring writers.

You will be welcomed to explore your own creative goals and dreams. I'll pose thought-provoking questions to the group, fostering an environment where you can share your aspirations and gain valuable insights to further your writing journey.

This event is part of SFU Library's series of activities with our Non-Fiction Writer in Residence, Chelene Knight! Learn more about the Non-Fiction Writer in Residence events

Register for upcoming workshops

DatesLocation
Thursday, March 7, 2024 - 11:00am to 11:45am
via Zoom (link will be sent to participants 24 hours before the workshop/event begins)

Creative Flow | Plan Your Nonfiction Project in Three Phases

About the workshop

Embarking on a nonfiction project from scratch can indeed feel like a formidable endeavor. This presentation aims to provide you with a refined and methodical approach to launch your project while maintaining a sense of personal connection to your work. It offers a carefully curated series of reflective writing prompts, thoughtfully organized into three distinct phases of the writing process: the exploratory phase, the initial drafting stage, and the meticulous revision stage.

This event is part of SFU Library's series of activities with our Non-Fiction Writer in Residence, Chelene Knight! Learn more about the Non-Fiction Writer in Residence events

Register for upcoming workshops

DatesLocation
Thursday, March 21, 2024 - 11:00am to 12:00pm
via Zoom (link will be sent to participants 24 hours before the workshop/event begins)

The Power of The Personal | Discovering Emotional Texture & Memory in Memoir

About the workshop

What if your personal narrative could transform into a compelling and emotionally resonant journey for your readers? Explore engaging and imaginative methods to infuse your creative nonfiction with greater depth of emotion. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of cultivating self-confidence, unlocking memories, and utilizing proximity to enhance the reader's immersive experience.

This event is part of SFU Library's series of activities with our Non-Fiction Writer in Residence, Chelene Knight! Learn more about the Non-Fiction Writer in Residence events

Register for upcoming workshops

DatesLocation
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 - 10:00am to 11:15am
via Zoom (link will be sent to participants 24 hours before the workshop/event begins)

Thesis Writing Retreat

  About the workshop

Join us for three days of dedicated writing time and make genuine progress on your thesis, project, or capstone.
 
We’ll have a beautiful space to work, facilitated sessions that animate the writing experience, and optional programming around writing, research, the thesis template, and thesis-adjacent topics such as the graduate student well-being and the grad student–supervisor relationship. Also, healthy meals and snacks will be provided for all three days.
 

Register for upcoming workshops

DatesLocation
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 8:30am to 5:00pm
Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 8:30am to 5:00pm
Friday, December 8, 2023 - 8:30am to 5:00pm
Burnaby, Bennett Library, Rm 7000, Research Commons

Your Opinion Matters | Lived Experience as Expertise

About the workshop

Prioritize, value, and amplify your own writerly voice. This lecture-based session will inspire you to use your personal experience as expertise in everything you write. 

This event is part of SFU Library's series of activities with our Non-Fiction Writer in Residence, Chelene Knight! Learn more about the Non-Fiction Writer in Residence events

Register for upcoming workshops

DatesLocation
Monday, April 8, 2024 - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
via Zoom (link will be sent to participants 24 hours before the workshop/event begins)