ANU Research Digest

The Australian National University

Research Digest

April edition

Welcome note

Some of you may be planning a short break to coincide with the public holidays in April. I certainly have been, and am now deciding how much work to take with me. The amount I achieve while on holiday varies, but I can never rest without the knowledge that I have something to do at hand, which will make me feel better if I do it. At this time last year, I was judging a literary prize and spent my holiday enjoying the mild autumn weather in Queensland reading novels, short stories and biographies – so compatible with relaxation that it hardly felt like work! This year a number of writing projects have been on the back burner, and a break from the office is a great time to refocus. I’m not the only one who struggles to decide how much ‘work’ to do on 'holiday': is it better to cut off from work or just keep things ticking over? That is the questio n.

While I’m struggling with that thorny issue, I will also be spending time just walking and thinking, possibly my two favourite activities. There is so much to think about at the moment, and much of it relates to my role as Dean, Higher Degree Research. The ANU Strategic Plan prompts us to reflect upon the characteristics of the ‘ANU PhD’, both now and moving forward, and I’ll be doing just that with the help of colleagues and student representatives across the University during the coming months. If you have views about what is, or could be, distinctive about the ANU PhD, do email me at dean.hdr@anu.edu.au.

Professor Imelda Whelehan

Professor Imelda Whelehan

Dean, Higher Degree Research

Upcoming programs

Register your interest to join the Thesis Whisperer for a word count workout at #ANUTBC.
#ANUTBC is passionately supported by your Postgraduate and Research Students' Assoc.

April

4	Shut Up and Write Nights
4	ILP: Word for academic writing: maintaining consistency in your thesis
5	Career Doctor with the Thesis Whisperer. Beyond Plan B: non traditional career options for PhD graduates
5	First Wednesday Connect. Network with entrepreneurs, innovators and businesspeople from the innovation community, hosted by CBR Innovation Network.
6	Shut Up and Write-a-thon April (fully booked)
6	ILP: Search Strategies and Subject Databases
8	Thesis Boot Camp Veterans Day
11	ILP: Word for academic writing: putting your thesis all together
13	ILP: Data Management
18-19	Thesis Proposal Review (TPR) toolkit with the Thesis Whisperer
20	ILP: EndNote
28-30	Thesis Boot Camp

May

3	First Wednesday Connect. Network with entrepreneurs, innovators and businesspeople from the innovation community, hosted by CBR Innovation Network.
7	Shut Up and Write Nights
11	Shut Up and Write-a-thon May
17	Thesis Whisperer: What do thesis examiners really want
20	Thesis Boot Camp Veterans Day
31	Thesis Whisperer: Working with your Supervisor

Opportunities

Can’t find that book? ANU postgraduate students and staff can now request books online from other BONUS+ participating Australian and New Zealand university libraries and pick them up from one of our branches. Visit the ANU Library website for more information on using BONUS+.

Using Word to write your thesis? Our workshop will show you how to use templates to maintain consistency: Word maintaining consistency workshop.

Learn how to format the front sections of a thesis (e.g. cover page, declaration, abstract, lists of figures): Word putting it all together workshop.

Digital literacy training available: Register from our online training calendar.

Book a research consultation. Subject contacts are available for personalised, one-to-one research consultations. Book in now and get the subject specific advice you're after.

Discover how SAGE Research Methods can help you at every step of your research project. Explore research design, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, literature review writing, data collection and analysis through hundreds of videos, case studies and the Methods Map bring your project together with advice and tips on sharing your research findings, completing a thesis and submitting work for publication.

News & links

Library

Chifley level 3 will soon be offering 24-hour access. A major refurbishment is being completed in the Chifley Library and an extra 200 study spaces are being added. Keep an eye on the Library website for more information.

The ANU Library is hosting an exhibition on Myanmar in conjunction with the Myanmar Update 2017 conference. Myanmar transformations will be on display in the Menzies Library foyer until the end of April.

New ANU Press title: Regulatory Theory: Foundations and applications, edited by Peter Drahos.

Discover the need-to-know of Research impact with Dr Anthony Dona at our free one day Clarivate Analytics workshop: Research Impact Training ANU.

Statistical Consulting Centre

The Statistical Consulting Centre is in the John Dedman Building (27). There are four academic statisticians offering free stats advice for your PhD, Masterate or Honours project. They also provide stats support and collaboration for academic staff. Click here to make an oppointment with statistical consulting.

ANU Qualitative Research Network

QRN Forum: Qualitative research at the margins: case studies of innovative methods

Academic Skills & Learning Centre

The Academic Skills and Learning Centre has launched a new Research writing website. This site has self-paced resources to help students from across disciplines with writing their thesis and disseminating their research.

ANU Online Wattle, Turnitin & Echo360 training

If you are teaching now or in the near future, ANU Online offers training on Wattle (Moodle), Turnitin, Echo360, and using technology for teaching and learning. You can come to one of the face-to-face sessions, get personal assistance at a drop-in session, learn at your own pace with Wattle Basics online train ing, or join the conversation about education technology with a coffee course. All are welcome to attend. For more information on Wattle or training, contact us at wattle.support@anu.edu.au.