JCU Graduate Research School

Want to learn how to create an effective academic poster? Join the new workshop of that name, with the first sessions being held on 13 August and 10 September. Register now on SkillsJCU.

This practical workshop asks HDR candidates to engage in an important form of research communication at the intersection of verbal concision, visual design, audience awareness and academic persuasion. Participants will discuss what works and what doesn't in poster design, what role posters play in academic communication, and how some simple design ideas can be brought into play (although no-one is expected to be a graphic designer!). Candidates are encouraged to begin the process of turning their ideas into effective posters.

The workshop will be useful to all HDR candidates, but especially those who plan to enter the Open Access Advocate competition that is available to all JCU HDR candidates. The workshop convenor, Professor Liz Tynan, is one of the organisers of this competition and will be able to provide advice on how to achieve a winning design.

ATTN ASPIRING SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS

FameLab might get you the start you are looking for.

The Western Australian Museum will host FameLab Australia 2026, the nation’s premier science communication competition for postgraduate and early career STEM researchers.

The application deadline for FameLab Australia 2026 has been extended to midnight (AWST) on Sunday 3 May 2026.

The FameLab competition is open to candidates currently undertaking an MSc or PhD qualification, postdoctoral fellows or early-career researchers who have received a MSc or PhD degree within the past five years. Further information on the competition can be found here: https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/famelab

Whatever you do, do not miss next week's ThinkWell workshops. Register now on SkillsJCU

THE SEVEN SECRETS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH STUDENTS
Wednesday 22 April, 9:30am-12 noon AEST, with Maria Gardiner (Zoom)
What do HDR candidates do to finish on time, to overcome isolation, doubt and writer’s block, and to enjoy the process? And just as importantly how do they spend guilt-free time with their family and friends and perhaps even have holidays? If this sounds appealing, come to this session.

This workshop describes the key habits that our research and experience with thousands of students shows will make a difference to how quickly and easily you complete your HDR. Just as importantly, these habits can greatly reduce the stress and increase the pleasure involved.

The workshop helps you to understand how to increase your effectiveness and outcomes in the following key areas:
• how you deal with your advisor/s
• how you structure your study time
• your attitude (or lack thereof!) in relation to your research
• dealing with writer’s block or having difficulty writing
• getting the help you need when you are stuck
• juggling multiple commitments and never having enough time
• keeping on going when the going gets tough

PRESENTING YOUR RESEARCH WITH CONFIDENCE
Thursday 23 April, 2:00pm-4:00pm AEST, with Hugh Kearns (Zoom)
If you’re a researcher, at some stage you are going to have to present your findings. It’s tempting to get up and just read your paper, but to really speak to your audience you need to be able to communicate skillfully and with conviction. We’ve all been to dull presentations so it’s worth your while spending a little time to learn how to do it properly.
This workshop will provide a clear step-by-step structure that you can use again and again to give high quality presentations. It will cover:
• How to make your message relevant to your audience
• How to structure and link parts of your talk
• Preparing materials, notes, handouts, PowerPoint
• Practicing
• Delivery
• How to handle questions
• Dealing with nervousness

LAB TO MARKET

It's not to late to join the Lab to Market session10am-11am AEST Thursday 2 April.

This inspirational one-hour session with JCU’s Innovation Facilitator Dr Samantha Horseman may kick-start your future entrepreneurial career. Sam has an amazing story to tell about her pathway from researcher to entrepreneur and beyond. She will open new and possibly surprising vistas for you as she shows you how great ideas can lead to through a series of stages to products in the marketplace. This session is open to all HDR candidates from any discipline. Sam will show what is possible, no matter what your starting point or your research interests.

This session will also provide information on how you can apply to join a three-day Impact 10X AI simulator intensive event being planned for June year in Townsville, designed especially for HDR candidates. The session will also encourage you to consider an internship during your candidature, and provide some options you may not have previously known about.