Centre for Learning and Study Support (CLaSS): Research Students

The Writing Group for Research Students will meet online in 2020/21

The Writing Group for Research Students is a small, informal group that meets online on a monthly basis to discuss topics related to writing at doctoral level. We're always looking for new members, so please do join us to find out what we do. Whether you've only just started your research or are in the writing up stages, all research students are welcome.

Meetings are normally held on Thursdays, 10am-12noon (UK time). Each session starts with a short workshop (1hr) followed by an hour of peer-to-peer writing feedback. 

2020/21 Dates

• Week 1, 8 October 2020, 10-12 -  Getting ready and motivated for the writing year ahead

Live online session via Blackboard Collaborate

This session looks at planning the writing year ahead. We will discuss how to keep motivated,  the psychology and emotional aspects of  the writing process.

In the second hour, participants will be invited to take part in a peer review activity. To receive feedback on a sample of your writing from the presenters as well as fellow participants, please email a short draft (no more than 2 pages) to the organiser in advance of the workshop. You can still take part even if you do not want feedback on your own writing.

For details and to book, please email Neil Skinner.

• Week 6, 12 November 2020, 10-12- Literature reviews (1): Planning and research

• Week 9, 3 December 2020, 10-12-Literature reviews (2): Writing and referencing

More information and details of how to join will become available 1 week in advance of each meeting.

• For any enquiries, please contact Neil Skinner - nskinner@dmu.ac.uk

There are a wealth of excellent online resources, books and blogs on academic writing, geared towards doctoral students. Some good examples include:

• The Thesis Whisperer. A website with a wide range of contributors, edited by Dr Inger Mewburn
• The Writer's Diet: Helen Sword's website on stylish and productive academic writing
• Patter: Pat Thomson's blog on academic writing

Past events

Please follow the links to access resources from Academic Writing Day: Develop your confidence as a writer and Academic Writing Day 2: Strategies to develop your manuscript for journal publication.

DMU Writing Circle

Delivered by Library and Learning Services (LLS) and Centre for Academic Innovation (CAI)

Date:         Wednesday 7 October and bi-monthly during term time

Time:        3.00pm to 5.00pm

Location:  Online

The DMU Writing Circle is a community of DMU staff and research students interested in getting writing done and developing their capabilities as writers through participation in a regular social writing community.

For more information contact Jason Eyre- jeyre@dmu.ac.uk - Centre for Learning and Study Support.



Research Students often enquire about proofreading support.

The research degree regulations at DMU (section 14.3) allow for "limited assistance with proof reading... with the prior approval of the supervisor". The role of a professional proofreader is limited to correcting "spelling, grammar and punctuation accuracy", but otherwise it is vital that the document is the student's own work.

The CLaSS Proofreading for Grammar Toolkit offers useful advice on developing your own proofreading strategies.