Workshops
Workshops and training for researchers
Attendance at MRE sessions counts towards Postgraduate Researcher training hours. Add details to your eProg record following our MRE_eProg_guide.pdf.
Pure drop-in
The Pure drop-in will be held online via Zoom. For details of how to join the online session, please log into your Pure account, where you will find log-in details for the session. The Zoom details will be available on Pure a week before the drop-in.
Do you have a question about using Pure? Something like:
- How can I set up my Pure account?
- How do I upload publications to Pure?
- How can I extract my Pure data for use elsewhere?
Come along to our Pure drop-in session and ask one of our advisers. There's no need to book, just turn up on the day!
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Tue 7 Feb 2023, 12:30 - 13:30 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 9 Mar 2023, 12:30 - 13:30 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 4 Apr 2023, 12:30 - 13:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 11 May 2023, 12:30 - 13:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 15 Jun 2023, 12:30 - 13:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 13 Jul 2023, 12:30 - 13:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Manchester University Press- Framing and Pitching a Book Project from Thesis Research
This session will help first-time book authors to decide on the shape of their proposed books, and to prepare to approach publishers with their book proposals.
Find out:
- Our top tips for moving beyond your PhD thesis
- What a book proposal should look like
- Technical points for your book like expected length and timescales
- How to choose which publisher to approach

BlackDackel Basics
This training course will teach you the basics of using the new Research Costing Tool, BlackDackel.
By the end of this workshop you will be able to:
- Log into the system
- Navigate around BlackDackel
- Search for Project/Budgets
- Model a basic research grant application
- Share Project/Budget ID
Further Information
Before attending this training course, you will need to request access to BlackDackel and familiarise yourself with our online training materials via our website using the pathway For Research Academics/Project Managers.
Access requests are made by emailing researchcostingtool@manchester.ac.uk.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Wed 8 Feb 2023, 13:00 - 14:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Mon 20 Mar 2023, 12:00 - 13:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 13 Apr 2023, 12:00 - 13:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 30 May 2023, 11:00 - 12:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Wed 14 Jun 2023, 12:00 - 13:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
7 steps to raising your research profile
This workshop will help you to raise your research profile by getting noticed promoting yourself and your research online. We will explore useful strategies for managing your online research presence by considering the following questions:
- Which online tools and platforms are the most useful to me?
- How can I find the time to use social media tools to promote my research?
- How can I maximise access to my research?
- How do I know if my online presence strategies are effective?
This session will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom. Booking onto the session is essential in order to receive the link to join.
Further support
Talk to us online via the 24-hour Library Chat service. Alternatively, you can email us for advice or to book one-to-one appointments at uml.teachingandlearning@manchester.ac.uk.
Find out more about the workshops and online resources offered by My Research Essentials on the library webpage. Online resources related to this workshop include:

UKRI OA policy drop-in clinic
The Library's Research Services team are hosting weekly drop-in clinics for authors to ask questions and discuss any concerns about the new UKRI Open Access policy, which applies to all UKRI funded journal articles and conference proceedings submitted for publication after April 1st 2022. These sessions will take place via Zoom.
There's no need to book, just turn up on the day.
Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95272880363
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Fri 10 Feb 2023, 13:00 - 13:30 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Mon 13 Feb 2023, 12:00 - 12:30 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 23 Feb 2023, 13:30 - 14:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 28 Feb 2023, 12:30 - 13:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 9 Mar 2023, 14:00 - 14:30 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Wed 15 Mar 2023, 11:00 - 11:30 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Mon 20 Mar 2023, 13:30 - 14:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Fri 31 Mar 2023, 11:30 - 12:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 4 Apr 2023, 13:00 - 13:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Wed 12 Apr 2023, 14:30 - 15:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Fri 21 Apr 2023, 10:30 - 11:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 27 Apr 2023, 12:00 - 12:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Wed 3 May 2023, 13:30 - 14:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 9 May 2023, 11:00 - 11:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 18 May 2023, 12:00 - 12:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 23 May 2023, 11:30 - 12:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 1 Jun 2023, 10:30 - 11:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Wed 7 Jun 2023, 14:00 - 14:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Fri 16 Jun 2023, 12:30 - 13:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 20 Jun 2023, 10:00 - 10:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 29 Jun 2023, 13:30 - 14:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Introduction to Research Data Management Part One
Researchers collect, receive and manage research data in many forms. Managing your data can be complex, but a little planning at the beginning can save you time, raise your research profile and help you work more effectively. This session aims to provide you with confidence in data and information management and introduce you to resources and services to help with Research Data Management.
How to book on
This event will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom.us. Booking onto the event is essential to receive the link and passcode to join.
Further support
Talk to us online via the 24-hour Library Chat service. Alternatively, you can email us for advice or to book one-to-one appointments at uml.teachingandlearning@manchester.ac.uk.
Find out more about the workshops and online resources offered by My Research Essentials on the library webpage. Online resources related to this workshop include:
Zoom guidance and support
All University of Manchester students and staff should register at Zoom.us using their University of Manchester email address, only authenticated users can join this event. Help and support with using Zoom is provided by Media Services. Updates are posted to the Media Services website, and you can contact the team by emailing mediaservices@manchester.ac.uk.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Mon 13 Feb 2023, 13:00 - 14:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 27 Apr 2023, 10:00 - 11:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Shut up and write. Online
Shut Up and Write is an event for researchers to come together for a fixed amount of time and write. The aim is not to put pressure on you to be productive, rather, to help you carve out some dedicated time to write and to present a chance to connect with other researchers. It is a great way make progress on those thesis chapters, journal articles, or grant applications.
Whilst two hours doesn't sound like much, it is amazing what you can get done if you really focus. There will be short, scheduled breaks in between writing sessions of 35 minutes, to help keep you motivated and on-task. During the breaks there will also be time to reflect on some of the challenges we are facing as a research community and how we might support one another.
How to book on
This event will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom.us. Booking onto the event is essential to receive the link and passcode to join.
Zoom guidance and support
All University of Manchester students and staff should register at Zoom.us using their University of Manchester email address, only authenticated users can join this event. Help and support with using Zoom is provided by Media Services. Updates are posted to the Media Services website, and you can contact the team by emailing mediaservices@manchester.ac.uk.
Further support
Talk to us online via the 24-hour Library Chat service. Alternatively, you can email us for advice or to book one-to-one appointments at uml.teachingandlearning@manchester.ac.uk.
Find out more about the workshops and online resources offered by My Research Essentials on the library webpage. Online resources related to this workshop include:
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Wed 15 Feb 2023, 14:00 - 16:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 28 Feb 2023, 10:00 - 12:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 16 Mar 2023, 12:00 - 14:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Fri 14 Apr 2023, 10:00 - 12:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 25 Apr 2023, 14:00 - 16:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 11 May 2023, 14:00 - 16:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Mon 5 Jun 2023, 10:00 - 12:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
MRE Writing Retreat (On-Campus)
The aim of this one-day writing retreat is to provide a quiet space where staff and researchers can make progress with their writing. It is a great way to carve out dedicated time to get on with those journal articles, thesis chapters, HEA Fellowships or grant applications.
The day will start with some useful writing warm-up techniques that you can apply throughout the day. These strategies will focus on: getting started, overcoming writers block and trying a different writing approach. The majority of the day will be spent in concentrated writing sessions where there should be no talking, no internet, no research - just writing! There will be short, scheduled breaks (with free tea, coffee and snacks) in between these blocks of concentrated writing time, to help keep you motivated and on-task.
Don't forget your laptop!
Programme for the day:
9.00-9.20 Tea, coffee and registration
9.20-9.50 Set your writing goals for the day, and try some useful warm-up writing strategies
9.50-12.00 Concentrated writing time
12.00-13.00 Lunch and optional wellbeing activity
13.00-13.10 Reflect on your progress so far, re-evaluate your goals
13.10-15.20 Concentrated writing time
15.20-15.35 Coffee break
15.35-16.50 Concentrated writing time
16.50-17.00 Reflection

Creating and managing your ORCID
Ensuring connections between you and your research, ORCIDs are being adopted across all elements of the research community (ie. universities, publishers, funders) as the universal method for uniquely identifying researchers.
They are free to create and link researchers to their research activities.
At this session you can:
- Learn more about the benefits of ORCIDs
- Find out how to create your own ORCID
- Discover how to easily manage your ORCID account
This session will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom. Booking onto the session is essential in order to receive the link to join.
All University of Manchester students and staff should register at Zoom.us using their University of Manchester email address, only authenticated users can join this event. Help and support with using Zoom is provided by Media Services. Updates are posted to the Media Services website, and you can contact the team by emailing mediaservices@manchester.ac.uk.
Further support
Talk to us online via the 24-hour Library Chat service. Alternatively, you can email us for advice or to book one-to-one appointments at uml.teachingandlearning@manchester.ac.uk.
Find out more about the workshops and online resources offered by My Research Essentials on the library webpage. Online resources related to this workshop include:

Enhance your Public Speaking Skills using Improvisation Techniques
In this fully interactive workshop you will learn a range of improvisation techniques that will improve your confidence about public speaking and informal networking.
Improvisation is a form of unscripted theatre that relies on heightened communication and creativity. Aside from performance, it can be also be used to promote teamwork, enhance presentation skills and ease social anxiety. We will focus on the application of improvisation for improving public speaking skills and will provide you with practical exercises to help you build confidence in communicating with a variety of audiences.
Learn to be more present, feel confident speaking in any setting and embrace failure.
This session will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom.
Booking onto the session is essential in order to receive the link to join.
All University of Manchester students and staff should register at Zoom.us using their University of Manchester email address, only authenticated users can join this event. Help and support with using Zoom is provided by Media Services. Updates are posted to the Media Services website, and you can contact the team by emailing mediaservices@manchester.ac.uk.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Wed 1 Mar 2023, 10:00 - 11:30 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Thu 30 Mar 2023, 14:00 - 15:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Tue 23 May 2023, 11:00 - 12:30 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Writing your Data Management Plan - a QA Session
Are you starting to write your Data Management Plan but have questions? Then this hour long session is for you. Here is the format:
* Introduction and a brief overview of the Data Management Plan, including why each section is important
* 20 min question and answer session - ask any DMP related questions on your mind
* 10 min break - we would encourage this time to be spent looking at your DMP to see if you can apply what youve learnt
* 10 min for any further questions and session wrap up
If this sounds like something that would be useful to you, book onto a session today and start getting your questions ready.
Participant information
This session will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom. Please sign up and download the app for free via this
link:
We will send you the Zoom link for the workshop a day before the workshop is to take place, booking onto this workshop is essential.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Tue 7 Mar 2023, 14:00 - 15:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Fri 12 May 2023, 10:00 - 11:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Resilience for PGRs: Managing the challenges of research
In this workshop you will explore three of the most common challenges identified by PhD candidates: managing your relationship with your supervisor; time management and procrastination; and dealing with setbacks during research.
You will explore the context around these issues and how they affect the research process, before working with other postgraduate researchers to help develop the necessary skills and approaches for dealing with them.
Finally, you will be introduced to established models and strategies for working effectively with your supervisory team, beating the procrastination cycle and maintaining resilience in the face of setbacks.
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Fri 10 Mar 2023, 10:00 - 12:00 GMT | Find out more ![]() | ||
Wed 10 May 2023, 14:00 - 16:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Open Access in five simple steps
Open Access (OA) is an essential consideration for all Manchester researchers and PGRs. This bitesize workshop will explain OA and why you should be thinking about openness when undertaking and seeking to publish your research.
This workshop will provide you with the following:
- Understanding of the benefits of OA for you as an individual researcher, and for the wider world.
- Awareness of the different ways of publishing OA research.
- Ability to choose the most appropriate OA method for your work.
- Knowing how to ensure compliance with institutional and funder OA requirements.
- Understanding how the Library's Scholarly Communication team can help you.
This session will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom. Booking onto the session is essential in order to receive the link to join.
All University of Manchester students and staff should register at Zoom.us using their University of Manchester email address, only authenticated users can join this event. Help and support with using Zoom is provided by Media Services. Updates are posted to the Media Services website, and you can contact the team by emailing mediaservices@manchester.ac.uk.
Further support
Talk to us online via the 24-hour Library Chat service. Alternatively, you can email us for advice or to book one-to-one appointments at uml.teachingandlearning@manchester.ac.uk.
Find out more about the workshops and online resources offered by My Research Essentials on the library webpage. Online resources related to this workshop include:

Introduction to Research Data Management Part Two
Sharing research data has numerous benefits including facilitating new collaborations and allowing new research questions to be answered. Data sharing is also mandated by many research, funders and publishers. This session aims to provide you with confidence in sharing your data and introducing you to using our institutional research repository, Figshare, to make data discoverable and increase research impact.
How to book on
This event will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom.us. Booking onto the event is essential to receive the link and passcode to join.
Further support
Can't make this session? Talk to us online via Library Chat now, or send us an email: uml.teachingandlearning@manchester.ac.uk.
Zoom guidance and support
All University of Manchester students and staff should register at Zoom.us using their University of Manchester email address, only authenticated users can join this event. Help and support with using Zoom is provided by Media Services. Updates are posted to the Media Services website, and you can contact the team by emailing mediaservices@manchester.ac.uk.

Shut up and write. On-campus
Shut Up and Write is an event for researchers to come together for a fixed amount of time and write. The aim is not to put pressure on you to be productive, rather, to help you carve out some dedicated time to write and to present a chance to connect with other researchers. It is a great way make progress on those thesis chapters, journal articles, or grant applications.
Whilst two hours doesn't sound like much, it is amazing what you can get done if you really focus. There will be short, scheduled breaks in between writing sessions of 35 minutes, to help keep you motivated and on-task. During the breaks there will also be time to reflect on some of the challenges we are facing as a research community and how we might support one another.
Booking on
Due to popularity, booking onto the event is essential to ensure a place.
Further support
Talk to us online via the 24-hour Library Chat service. Alternatively, you can email us for advice or to book one-to-one appointments at uml.teachingandlearning@manchester.ac.uk.
Find out more about the workshops and online resources offered by My Research Essentials on the library webpage. Online resources related to this workshop include:
We are running this event more than once on the following dates and times:
Wed 29 Mar 2023, 14:00 - 16:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() | ||
Mon 22 May 2023, 14:00 - 16:00 BST (GMT+1) | Find out more ![]() |
Choosing a Credible Journal and How to Avoid 'Predatory Publishers'
This workshop will equip you with the skills to spot so-called 'Predatory Publishers', and feel confident in the credibility of the journals you will be submitting to. By the end of the session you will be able to:
- Feel confident in your ability to identify credible journals
- Understand the motivations behind 'Predatory Publishing'
- Understand the consequences of submitting your work to non-reputable journals
- Spot the common characteristics of non-reputable publishers
- Use established tools and processes to check the credibility of a journal
As part of this workshop we will be running an activity where a personal device (mobile phone, laptop, tablet etc.) would be useful but is not essential.
This session will take place on the online video conferencing app Zoom. Booking onto the session is essential in order to receive the link to join.
All University of Manchester students and staff should register at Zoom.us using their University of Manchester email address, only authenticated users can join this event. Help and support with using Zoom is provided by Media Services. Updates are posted to the Media Services website, and you can contact the team by emailing mediaservices@manchester.ac.uk.

MRE Writing Retreat (On-Campus)
The aim of this one-day writing retreat is to provide a quiet space where staff and researchers can make progress with their writing. It is a great way to carve out dedicated time to get on with those journal articles, thesis chapters, HEA Fellowships or grant applications.
The day will start with some useful writing warm-up techniques that you can apply throughout the day. These strategies will focus on: getting started, overcoming writers block and trying a different writing approach. The majority of the day will be spent in concentrated writing sessions where there should be no talking, no internet, no research - just writing! There will be short, scheduled breaks (with free tea, coffee and snacks) in between these blocks of concentrated writing time, to help keep you motivated and on-task.
Don't forget your laptop!
Programme for the day:
9.00-9.20 Tea, coffee and registration
9.20-9.50 Set your writing goals for the day, and try some useful warm-up writing strategies
9.50-12.00 Concentrated writing time
12.00-13.00 Lunch and optional wellbeing activity
13.00-13.10 Reflect on your progress so far, re-evaluate your goals
13.10-15.20 Concentrated writing time
15.20-15.35 Coffee break
15.35-16.50 Concentrated writing time
16.50-17.00 Reflection
