Postgraduate Workshops

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This six-hour online workshop, presented over two consecutive mornings, offers a structured, collaborative space to develop essential research writing skills that can be applied directly to theses, dissertations, and research reports. The workshop provides a practical introduction to the core writing skills required for producing and organising information in research reports, while helping participants clarify their research focus and develop confidence in presenting ideas in a scholarly voice.

Please note: This is an interactive workshop, participants are expected to actively engage throughout the sessions by working together, discussing examples, and reflecting on their own writing.

Workshop Format

Online via MS Teams. 

What the workshop will cover

Day 1 – (09:00–13:00)

The first morning focuses on laying strong foundations for academic writing. You will explore “nutshell writing” by learning how to clearly formulate a research problem, develop hypotheses or propositions, and articulate aims and objectives. The session then moves on to developing your academic voice, with a focus on effective quoting and paraphrasing, integrating sources smoothly, and using your own words to position yourself within the scholarly conversation.

Day 2 – (09:00–13:00)

The second morning centres on refining and revising your writing. You will examine abstracts as concise, self-contained texts, explore different types of abstracts, and practise writing an effective abstract for your own research. The workshop concludes with a focus on re-vision, where you will learn strategies for revising your writing and for giving and receiving constructive peer feedback.

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Clearly articulate key elements of a research project in writing
• Write with a more confident and coherent academic voice
• Integrate sources appropriately through quoting and paraphrasing
• Draft and revise an effective research abstract
• Critically review their own writing and provide useful peer feedback

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office on the specified date and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

If you successfully register for the workshop and do not attend, without providing adequate supporting evidence (for example, illness), or do not cancel at least seven days before the workshop by sending an email to [email protected], the Postgraduate Office reserves the right to charge the applicable workshop fee. Non-attendance or late cancellation incurs costs and may prevent another student from attending in your place.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This twelve-hour workshop, presented over four consecutive mornings, is designed for postgraduate students who are writing a literature review as part of a research proposal, thesis, dissertation, or independent research article. The workshop provides structured guidance on the purpose, types, and organisation of literature reviews, while helping participants develop effective strategies for reading, synthesising, and integrating sources.

Please note: This is an interactive workshop, participants are expected to actively engage throughout the sessions by working together, discussing examples, and reflecting on their own writing.

Workshop Format

Online via MS Teams. 

What the workshop will cover

Day 1 – (09:00–13:00)

Understanding the Literature Review

• Common problems encountered in literature reviews
• The purpose and benefits of a well-constructed literature review

Reading Strategies

• Approaches to reading strategically and critically for a literature review

Day 2 – (09:00–13:00)

Advanced Reading Strategies

• Developing efficient and purposeful reading practices
• Managing and organising sources during the reading process

Day 3 – (09:00–13:00)

The Literature Review as an Argument

• Understanding the literature review as a coherent scholarly argument

Types of Literature Reviews and Organising Information

• Different types of literature reviews
• Structuring and synthesising information effectively

Day 4 – (09:00–13:00)

Evaluating Your Own Literature Review

• Reflecting critically on structure, argument, and coherence

Ethical Writing Practice: Plagiarism and Referencing

• Integrating sources appropriately
• Avoiding plagiarism and applying correct referencing practices

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand the purpose and structure of different types of literature reviews
• Apply effective reading strategies for identifying and synthesising key sources
• Organise literature into a coherent and well-structured review
• Integrate sources ethically and accurately through appropriate referencing
• Critically evaluate and improve their own literature review

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office on the specified dates and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

If you successfully register for the workshop and do not attend without providing adequate supporting evidence (for example, illness) or do not cancel at least seven days before the workshop by emailing [email protected], the Postgraduate Office reserves the right to charge the applicable workshop fee to you. Non-attendance or late cancellation incurs costs and may prevent another student from attending in your place.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This twelve-hour workshop, delivered over four consecutive mornings, provides a structured, collaborative space to develop essential research writing skills for theses and dissertations. The workshop offers a practical introduction to the core skills needed to organise and present research information effectively, while helping participants build confidence in their academic writing.

Please note: This is an interactive workshop, participants are expected to actively engage throughout the sessions by working together, discussing examples, and reflecting on their own writing. 

Workshop Format

Online via MS Teams.

What the workshop will cover

Day 1 – (09:00–13:00)

Gain and Keep Momentum in Writing

• Understanding writing as a process
• Views on writer’s block and overcoming obstacles
• Identifying your writer type and strategies to stay productive

Features of Academic Writing

• What constitutes scientific writing
• Understanding your audience and purpose

Day 2 – (09:00–13:00)

Structural Levels of the Research Report

• Understanding the parts of your thesis or dissertation and how they interrelate
• Using headings effectively

Chapter Structure

• Focus on the Introduction and Conclusion sections

Day 3 – (09:00–13:00)

Literature Review

• Its role in your thesis
• Structuring and organising information effectively

Coherence and Cohesion: Developing Logical Flow

• Paragraphing techniques
• Effective paragraph structure and components
• Paragraph patterns and application

Day 4 – (09:00–13:00)

Coherence and Cohesion: Argumentation

• Structuring arguments and ensuring logical flow
• Identifying and addressing common argumentation problems

Style

• Features of scientific writing style
• Using active and passive voice appropriately

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand the writing process and apply strategies to maintain momentum
• Produce clear, structured, and coherent academic writing
• Organise and present information effectively in theses and dissertations
• Develop coherent paragraphs and logical argumentation
• Apply appropriate scientific writing style and voice

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office on the specified date and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

If you successfully register for the workshop and do not attend, without providing adequate supporting evidence (for example, illness) or do not cancel at least seven days before the workshop, by sending an email to [email protected], the Postgraduate Office reserves the right to charge the applicable workshop fee to you. Non-attendance or late cancellation incurs costs and may prevent another student from attending in your place.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This nine-hour workshop, presented over three consecutive mornings, provides a practical introduction to the writing skills required to construct clear and persuasive academic arguments across different types of research reports. The workshop focuses on helping participants develop confidence in argumentation, integrate sources effectively, and establish a strong academic voice.

Please note: This is an interactive workshop, participants are expected to actively engage throughout the sessions by working together, discussing examples, and reflecting on their own writing.

Workshop Format

Online via MS Teams. 

What the workshop will cover

Day 1 – (09:00–13:00)

Argumentation Basics

• Key concepts and theoretical foundations of academic argumentation
• Using sentence skeletons to structure and develop arguments

Integrating Other Voices

• Active reading and ‘listening’ to sources
• Deciding when to paraphrase or quote
• Integrating sources effectively into your writing

Day 2 – (09:00–13:00)

Developing Your Own Academic Voice

• Establishing authorial voice
• Using citations effectively
• Foregrounding and backgrounding information
• Using active and passive voice appropriately

Language Choices for Academic Voice

• Using verbs purposefully
• Hedges and boosters
• Pronouns and positioning yourself in the text

Day 3 – (09:00–13:00)

Argumentation Structures

• The classical model
• The Rogerian model
• The Toulmin model

Argumentation Strategies

• Practicing different argument structures
• Bringing structure, voice, and evidence together

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand the key principles of academic argumentation
• Construct clear and coherent arguments in research writing
• Integrate sources effectively while maintaining an academic voice
• Apply different argumentation models to their own research writing
• Make informed language choices to strengthen arguments

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office on the specified dates and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

If you successfully register for the workshop and do not attend without providing adequate supporting evidence (for example, illness) or do not cancel at least seven days before the workshop by emailing [email protected], the Postgraduate Office reserves the right to charge the applicable workshop fee to you. Non-attendance or late cancellation incurs costs and may prevent another student from attending in your place.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students

About the webinar

This two-hour online webinar aims to demystify academic writing by examining how successful academic writers approach their work. By exploring effective writing habits and ways of thinking about writing, participants will develop more sustainable writing practices, build confidence, and progress in their research.

The webinar includes short, guided practical exercises that encourage participants to reflect on their own writing practices and apply the concepts discussed.

What the webinar will cover

Time: 10:00–12:00

• How successful academic writers approach writing
• Models of academic writing
• When to start writing in your research journey
• Practical techniques to support academic writing

Preparing for the webinar

• Have a pen and paper available, or access to a computer during the webinar, to complete the writing exercises.
• Have a copy of a journal article that you are using in your own studies available (either a printed copy or an electronic version).
• If you are using a printed copy, please have two different-coloured highlighters available.
• If you are using an electronic PDF, ensure that you know how to use the highlight function in your PDF viewer, as you will be required to highlight the text in two colours.

By the end of the webinar, participants should be able to:

• Describe how successful academic writers approach the writing process
• Recognise different models of academic writing
• Identify when and how to begin writing during their research journey
• Apply practical techniques to support their own academic writing

Cost

Your place at this webinar is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this webinar if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the webinar

This two-hour online webinar introduces the concept of the knowledge claim and demonstrates how individual claims can be developed into smaller and larger arguments to maintain a clear golden thread throughout a thesis or dissertation. The webinar also explores how to engage with different scholarly positions and situate your own argument within existing academic debates.

The webinar includes short, guided practical exercises that encourage participants to reflect on their own writing practices and apply the concepts discussed.

What the webinar will cover

Time: 10:00–12:00

• What the “Golden Thread” is and how it supports coherence in academic writing
• What a knowledge claim is and how to develop clear, defensible claims
• Key differences between knowledge claims in the sciences and the social sciences
• How ontological and epistemological positions influence research design and analysis

Preparing for the webinar

To participate fully in the practical activities during the webinar, please ensure that you are prepared as follows:

• Have a pen and paper available, or access to a computer during the webinar, to complete the writing exercises.
• Have a copy of a journal article that you are using in your own studies available (either a printed copy or an electronic version).
• If you are using a printed copy, please have two different-coloured highlighters available.
• If you are using an electronic PDF, ensure that you know how to use the highlight function in your PDF viewer, as you will be required to highlight the text in two colours.

By the end of the webinar, participants should be able to:

• Understand what a knowledge claim is and identify such claims in academic texts
• Build smaller claims into logically connected and coherent arguments
• Understand the role of theory in shaping academic arguments
• Position their own arguments in relation to existing scholarly debates

Cost

Your place at this webinar is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this webinar if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students

About the webinar

This three and half hour online webinar supports postgraduate students who are preparing to publish their research in academic journals. It introduces the academic article genre, the publication context, and the skills required to write effectively for publication.

The webinar also provides practical guidance on journal selection, planning for productivity, and positioning one’s contribution within an academic article.

What the webinar will cover

Time: 09:00–12:30

• Understanding the publication context and the academic article genre
• The challenges of writing for publication and how these differ from thesis writing
• Practical considerations when selecting an appropriate journal
• Skills required for writing academic articles for publication
• Planning for productivity within the academic article genre
• Identifying and articulating the contribution offered in an academic article
• Overview of the publication process and authorship considerations

By the end of the webinar, participants should be able to:

• Understand the context and expectations of academic article writing for publication
• Recognise the key differences between writing a thesis and writing an academic article
• Identify factors to consider when selecting a suitable journal
• Apply appropriate skills for writing within the academic article genre
• Plan effectively for productivity in article writing
• Clarify and articulate the contribution of their research within an academic article
• Understand key aspects of the publication process, including authorship issues

Cost

Your place at this webinar is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this webinar if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This three-day workshop is designed for postgraduate researchers who want to develop practical skills in using ATLAS.ti for qualitative data analysis. The workshop supports postgraduates working at the literature review stage as well as those analysing qualitative data such as interviews, focus group transcripts, field notes, reports, images, videos, and survey data. Participants will gain hands-on experience in organising, coding, exploring, retrieving, and presenting qualitative data using ATLAS.ti.

Workshop Format

Online via MS Teams. 

What the workshop will cover

Day 1 – (09:00–16:00)

Introduction to Qualitative Data Analysis and ATLAS.ti

• Overview of qualitative data analysis and the ATLAS.ti interface
• Creating and managing projects and documents
• Coding fundamentals, basic retrievals, and introductory AI features
• Exploring data and organising codes

Day 2 – (09:00–16:00)

Exploring and Analysing Qualitative Data

• Working with interview, focus group, photographic, and literature data
• Using visualisation tools such as word clouds, tables, networks, and diagrams
• Searching, coding, and exploring concepts across data sources
• Working with video data

Day 3 – (09:00–11:00)

Advanced Data Types and Presentation

• Coding open-ended survey data
• Retrieving and presenting qualitative findings
• Creating word clouds and frequency tables
• Presenting qualitative data effectively using ATLAS.ti

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Distinguish between inductive and deductive coding approaches
• Code qualitative data, including text, images, video, and survey data, using ATLAS.ti
• Retrieve and explore coded data effectively
• Use visualisation tools to support qualitative analysis
• Present qualitative findings clearly and effectively using ATLAS.ti

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This three-day workshop is designed for postgraduate researchers across disciplines who want a clear and structured understanding of the research process from proposal development to thesis completion. The workshop demystifies research design, methodology, and academic writing, and supports participants in planning and completing a high-quality thesis or dissertation within a reasonable timeframe.

Note: This workshop is designed as an integrated three-day programme and participants are encouraged to attend all three days.

Workshop Format

• Participants will attend three online MS Teams session per workshop day
• With self-study material to complete in between the online meetings

What the workshop will cover

Day 1 – (09:00–16:30)

Fundamentals of Research and Proposal Development

• Understanding research and research challenges within the South African context
• Key ethical considerations in research
• Narrowing and defining a research project
• Core components of a research proposal, including the research problem, questions, aims, and objectives
• Establishing coherence and the “golden thread” in a research proposal

Day 2 – (09:00–16:30)

Research Design and Methodology

• Understanding research design and methodology and their role in research planning
• Different types of data and research approaches
• Selecting appropriate methods for a research project
• Structuring a research design and methodology chapter
• Anticipating and addressing common examiner questions

Day 3 – (09:00–16:30)

Thesis Writing and Completion

• When and how to start writing the thesis
• Editing, writer’s block, and common academic writing challenges
• Thesis structure and organisation
• Choosing and using theoretical frameworks
• Time management, well-being, and institutional requirements for submission

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand the full research process from proposal to thesis completion
• Develop a coherent and well-structured research proposal
• Design an appropriate research methodology for their study
• Structure and write key chapters of a thesis or dissertation
• Respond effectively to examiner expectations
• Manage the research and writing process more confidently and efficiently

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This full-day workshop provides postgraduate researchers with foundational project management knowledge and skills that can be applied directly to the planning and management of a postgraduate research project. The workshop introduces core project management concepts and focuses on the practical aspects of managing scope, time, risks, stakeholders, and resources within an academic research environment.

Workshop Format

Time: 09:00–16:30

Online via MS Teams. 

What the workshop will cover

• Defining project management and its relevance to postgraduate research
• The project lifecycle and key project management sub-disciplines
• Scoping a postgraduate research project and developing a work breakdown structure
• Time management and project scheduling
• Stakeholder and risk management in research projects
• Managing challenges, finances, and software tools for research project management
• Practical application through hands-on activities and discussion

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand the importance of project management in an academic research environment
• Identify the key attributes of projects and core project management sub-disciplines
• Define and scope a postgraduate research project
• Apply basic project management tools, such as work breakdown structures and schedules, to their own research
• Manage common research challenges, risks, stakeholders, and resources more effectively

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This workshop is designed for postgraduate researchers who already have basic experience using Microsoft Excel and want to develop more advanced skills for managing and organising research data. The workshop focuses on using Excel effectively to structure data, perform basic calculations, analyse datasets, and present data visually through tables and charts.

Note: This is not an entry-level workshop. Participants should already be familiar with basic Excel functions.

Workshop format

• An introductory live session via Microsoft Teams
• Self-paced engagement with course material and exercises on SUNLearn over seven days
• A final live question-and-answer session via Microsoft Teams, with feedback on exercises

What the workshop will cover

• Editing and formatting worksheets, rows, and columns
• Finding, replacing, sorting, and filtering data
• Using tables and referencing data across worksheets
• Applying basic formulas and using the function entry dialog box
• Working with pivot tables for data analysis
• Creating charts and sparklines to visualise research data

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Organise and manage research data effectively using Excel
• Apply formatting, sorting, and filtering tools to research datasets
• Use formulas and functions to calculate and analyse data
• Create pivot tables to explore and summarise data
• Present research data clearly using charts and visual tools
• Work more confidently and efficiently with Excel for thesis or dissertation research

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This workshop is designed for postgraduate researchers who want to format a large academic document, such as a thesis or dissertation, effectively using Microsoft Word and in line with Stellenbosch University (SU) thesis and dissertation requirements. The workshop focuses on using Word tools efficiently to create, manage, and customise a thesis or dissertation template.

Workshop format

• Self-paced engagement with course material and exercises on SUNLearn over seven days
• One live session via Microsoft Teams (09:00–11:30)
• Guided demonstration of SU proposal and thesis templates and how to customise them
• Opportunity to ask questions and receive feedback during the live session

What the workshop will cover

• Page layout, styles, and chapter heading structures
• Page and section breaks, page numbering, and blank pages
• Captions, footnotes, numbered lists, and non-breaking spaces
• Automatic tables of contents, lists of figures, and lists of tables
• Tables, columns, borders, SmartArt, flow charts, and screen clippings
• Spelling, grammar, and document consistency tools
• Managing references, citations, and bibliographies
• Cross-referencing, bookmarks, hyperlinks, and tracked changes
• Using outline view, master documents, and integrating Excel charts

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to

• Format a thesis or dissertation according to SU requirements
• Create and customise a Word template for a large academic document
• Use styles and automated features to manage complex documents efficiently
• Insert and manage references, captions, and cross-references
• Edit, review, and finalise a thesis or dissertation using Word tools

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited. In the case of late cancellations or non-attendance, applicants may be liable for the full workshop fee.

Terms and conditions

Booking is essential and places are limited. Successful registration will be confirmed by the Postgraduate Office. The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This workshop is designed for postgraduate researchers who want to improve their PowerPoint skills for academic presentations. The workshop guides participants from basic to more advanced PowerPoint functionality, with a focus on creating clear, visually effective presentations for research communication.

Participants will work through structured self-study material and apply their learning by creating their own presentation based on a research topic or a topic of their choice.

Workshop format

• A week of self-paced study using course material and exercises on SUNLearn
• An assignment in which participants create their own PowerPoint presentation
• A live session via Microsoft Teams (09:00–12:30) where the presenter demonstrates key functions and responds to questions

What the workshop will cover

• Navigating the PowerPoint interface and using essential tools efficiently
• Creating and populating slides using structured layouts and templates
• Using Stellenbosch University PowerPoint templates effectively
• Working with images, icons, and graphics
• Converting text into visual elements using SmartArt
• Applying themes, transitions, and animations appropriately
• Adding audio, video, and interactive elements
• Packaging and exporting presentations
• Design principles and practical tips for effective face-to-face presentations

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Create clear, well-structured PowerPoint presentations
• Use PowerPoint tools and templates efficiently
• Enhance presentations with visual, audio, and interactive elements
• Apply basic design principles to improve clarity and visual appeal
• Communicate research content more effectively using PowerPoint

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the webinar

This webinar explores when and how individuals qualify for authorship or co-authorship of scholarly publications. Authorship and publication credit function as the currency of the academic research environment and carry both benefits and risks. The webinar introduces recognised authorship criteria, examines questionable authorship practices, and considers the impact of research incentive systems on academic authorship. Particular attention is given to authorship dynamics between postgraduate students and supervisors, and to principles of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).

What the webinar will cover

Time: 09:00–13:00

• Postgraduate students and academic authorship
• Authorship principles and criteria
• Questionable and unethical authorship practices
• The South African research incentive system and its impact on authorship
• Findings from scholarly studies on authorship practices
• Authorship and the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
• The use of AI tools and their implications for academic authorship
• Discussion and case studies on student–supervisor co-authorship dynamics

By the end of the webinar, participants should be able to:

• Understand recognised criteria for academic authorship and co-authorship
• Identify questionable and unethical authorship practices
• Explain how research incentive systems can influence authorship behaviour
• Understand the relationship between authorship and Responsible Conduct of Research
• Reflect critically on student–supervisor co-authorship dynamics
• Navigate authorship issues more confidently in their own research practice

Cost

Your place at this webinar is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this webinar if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This one-day online workshop supports postgraduate researchers in developing a strong and professional LinkedIn profile that effectively represents their academic, professional, and researcher identity. The workshop introduces the key elements of an impactful LinkedIn profile and provides practical guidance on how to optimise profile sections, build a coherent personal brand, and use LinkedIn strategically for networking and visibility.

What the workshop will cover

Time: 09:00–11:30

• Understanding what LinkedIn is and why it is important for postgraduate researchers
• Building a clear brand identity as the foundation of a LinkedIn profile
• Optimising key profile sections, including the headline, summary, experience, and skills
• Exploring lesser-known LinkedIn features to support networking and professional visibility
• Reflecting critically on LinkedIn’s job-focused aspects and cross-platform relevance
• Applying learning through guided, practical activities

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand the purpose and value of LinkedIn for academic and professional development
• Create or refine a LinkedIn profile that clearly communicates their strengths and ambitions
• Optimise profile sections to enhance visibility and impact
• Use LinkedIn features strategically for networking and professional engagement
• Reflect critically on how LinkedIn fits within their broader online presence

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

About the workshop

This one-day, in-person workshop supports postgraduate researchers in communicating their research clearly and effectively to public and non-specialist audiences. The workshop introduces principles of narrative and storytelling and provides practical strategies for translating complex research ideas into engaging, accessible messages. Participants will also explore how to tailor research communication for different audiences and platforms.
Location: Stellenbosch campus

What the workshop will cover

Time: 09:00-13:00

• Understanding narrative and storytelling in research communication
• Defining communication objectives and key messages
• Identifying and understanding diverse lay audiences
• Tailoring research narratives for different audience needs
• Packaging research messages through examples and practical exercises
• Tips, techniques, and speaking strategies for engaging public audiences
• Selecting appropriate platforms and channels for public-facing research communication

By the end of the workshop, participants should be able to:

• Understand the principles of narrative building and storytelling
• Identify and respond to the needs of diverse public audiences
• Develop a cohesive and engaging research narrative for lay audiences
• Communicate research more confidently and compellingly
• Apply storytelling techniques to make complex research accessible
• Select appropriate platforms and channels to communicate research to the public

Cost

Your place at this workshop is sponsored by the Postgraduate Office and is free of charge for registered SU postgraduate students who successfully register. Please note that places are limited.

Terms and conditions

The Postgraduate Office reserves the right to cancel or postpone this workshop if there are insufficient registrations or due to unforeseen circumstances.

For registered Stellenbosch University postgraduate students.

Webinar and workshop

Postgraduate researchers can attend a short webinar for an introductory overview of public speaking, or can attend the full-day in-person workshop for a more in-depth training on public speaking.

Introductory Webinar: Delivering Talks with Confidence

About the webinar

This lunchtime webinar provides postgraduate students with an introduction to the fundamentals of confident public speaking. It focuses on understanding speaking anxiety, building confidence, and developing strategies to improve speech delivery and audience engagement.

Format: Online webinar
Time: 13:00–14:30

What the webinar will cover

• Confidence versus competence: reframing how we approach public speaking
• Causes of speaking anxiety and strategies to manage it
• Practical tips to enhance speech structure and delivery
• Preparing for and managing post-talk question and answer sessions

Intensive In-Person Workshop: Delivering Talks with Confidence

About the workshop

This full-day, interactive workshop builds on the concepts introduced in the webinar and provides participants with hands-on opportunities to develop and practise public speaking skills. The workshop focuses on improving oral presentations and effectively communicating academic research to diverse audiences.

Participants will explore different speaking styles, apply storytelling techniques, and receive guidance on adapting their delivery to various academic and non-academic contexts.

Format: In-person workshop
Time: 09:00–15:00
Please note: As this is a highly interactive workshop, participants must be available to attend the full day.

Please note that late cancellations or non-attendance for the in-person workshop will result in participants being liable for the full workshop fee, as these incur significant costs for the Postgraduate Office.