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Ontario Tech acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

We are thankful to be welcome on these lands in friendship. The lands we are situated on are covered by the Williams Treaties and are the traditional territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to many Indigenous nations and peoples.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island, also called North America, from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we acknowledge that the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by because we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

Learn more about Indigenous Education and Cultural Services

Upcoming instructor-directed workshops

Upcoming Instructor-Directed Workshops - Fall 2023

The workshops below are offered by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and are available to all graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. We offer both in-class and online workshops in collaboration with our university partners, however all workshops are currently only offered online via Google Meet.

Please note that the scheduled workshop dates and times are based on facilitator availability. If you are a faculty member and are interested in arranging a specific Grad Pro Skill workshop for your class after standard office hours, please contact gradengage@ontariotechu.ca. 

September 2023 (online)

  • Starting Off Strong: Library Resources 101 - Thursday, September 14 from 1 to 2 p.m.

    Kaelan Caspary, STEM and Data Librarian, Campus Libraries
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/ssd-qgxu-vxf

    Do you think the Library is just about print books and study carrels? Think again! The Library offers robust in-person and online services that can help you succeed in your graduate studies. In this workshop you will learn all about accessing academic journal articles and books with ease, the benefits of a research consultation with your subject librarian, and how to access specialized digital resources like datasets, cases, patents, and standards. We will also discuss how the Library can help with other areas of research such as citation management and research data management.  

    Learning outcomes:
    • Gain an applied understanding of the Library's digital collections including accessing eBooks, electronic journal articles, and specialized collections such as data, standards, and cases.
    • Identify library services, including the subject librarian, related to your study
    • Adopt online library resources as key component to research strategy
  • Writing a Review of Literature - Tuesday, September 19 from 1 to 2 p.m.

    Tessa Troughton, Writing and Study Skills Specialist, Student Learning Centre
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/zwm-usqr-odx

    A literature review is a summary and evaluation of significant documents and developments on a topic. Completing a literature review will ensure a good understanding of a topic. In this workshop you will learn how to properly construct a literature review and how to organize your research.

    Learning outcomes:
    • Learn about the importance of critical and selective reading
    • Identify any strengths, weaknesses, contradictions and gaps in the research
    • Integrate and synthesize writing material to develop the literature review
  • Presentation Skills - Thursday, September 28 from 2 to 3 p.m.

    Laura Thursby, Academic Development Facilitator, Student Learning Centre
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/eeq-kckc-xhy

    A clear and concise presenter, a visual presentation and engaging content are some of the keys to keeping your audience’s attention in a presentation. In this workshop, you will learn what makes a great presentation and what you can work on to develop your skills.

    Learning outcomes:
    • Understand your strengths and weaknesses as a presenter
    • Describe your research to a layperson audience
    • Learn techniques to engage audiences
    • Develop active listening skills

    *This workshop is a requirement of the Professional Communication Certificate.


October 2023 (online)

  • Organizing your Literature Search with EndNote - Tuesday, October 3 from 3 to 4 p.m.

    Kate Gibbings, Librarian, Engineering and Applied Science, Campus Libraries 
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/jas-yaqg-gup

    In this workshop you will use a citation manager to save references and create accurate in-text references and bibliographies in Word. Please come to the session with EndNote installed. EndNote is available from Software Support. You will learn the benefits of using a citation manager to organize articles and other research sources for your literature review. 

    Learning outcomes:
    • Identify the easiest ways to add references to your citation manager 
    • Create in-text references and bibliographies in Word in different citation styles
    • Keep your references organized using advanced features such as folders and deduplication
  • Writing Research Proposals - Tuesday, October 24 from 2 to 3 p.m.

    Tessa Troughton, Writing and Study Skills Specialist, Student Learning Centre
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/zcc-qdwh-pan

    Writing a compelling research statement can be the most challenging step in the application process. This workshop demystifies the statement and research proposal writing process to help you achieve success. 

    Learning outcomes:
    • Identify the style and components of effective research proposals for scholarship applications
    • Examine ways of making your research proposal stand out
    • Formulate a research proposal
  • Paraphrasing and Summarizing - Monday, October 30 from 12 to 1 p.m.

    Mark Neville, ESL Writing Specialist, Student Learning Centre
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/jwa-nogv-snj

    Integrating research in written work is an essential skill, although it is one with which many writers struggle. After considering the characteristics of each, you will have the opportunity to practice writing paraphrases and summaries as well as assess their effectiveness.

    Learning outcomes:
    • Learn about how to integrate research into written work
    • Identify the characteristics of successful paraphrases and summaries
    • Identify and apply writing strategies to paraphrase and summarize well

November 2023 (online)- Registration now open!

  • Making an Impact: Sharing and Protecting your Research Identity - Wednesday, November 1 from 1 to 2 p.m.

    Heather McTavish, Business and IT Liaison Librarian, Campus Libraries
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/ojk-ycnm-wto

    In this workshop, you will learn how to take control of your public research profile and track the impact of your publications and research activities. You will also use research metric tools and checklists to evaluate journals and conferences as possible venues for your research.

    Learning outcomes:
    • Adopt strategies to make your research identity more visible
    • Enhance the impact of your work
    • Make your scholarly work accessible
    • Identify ways of promoting your research 
  • Social Media for Pros - *New Date* Thursday, November 2 from 1 to 2 p.m.

    Marie Harvey, Social Media Coordinator and Sarah Tsimelkas, Digital Engagement Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/uyy-ywzf-vog

    What is personal branding on social media? In 2023, what does it mean to share your professional work on social media channels and how do you bridge the gap between the personal and the professional in the digital space? In this workshop we will discuss the do’s, the don’ts and the how for sharing your professional research on social media and creating engaging content.

    Learning outcomes:
    • How to mix your personal and professional social media presence 
    • Identifying Your Story & Expertise
    • Deciding on Which Social Media Platform to use
    • Setting up your Social Media Accounts
    • Creating Content for Beginners
    • Finding Your Community & Engaging with It

    *This workshop is a requirement of the Professional Communication Certificate.

  • Interview Skills - Tuesday, November 14 from 2 to 3 p.m.

    Darren Grant, Employment Advisor, Career Centre, Student Life
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/ids-dyin-kvq

    This interactive workshop helps you develop the tools you’ll need to be successful in your academic and non-academic job search. Learn how to answer the most common types of interview questions, how to best prepare for the interview process and how to emphasize your transferable skills.

    Learning outcomes:
    • Understand the importance of soft skills in the workforce and how to convey soft skills in an interview
    • Identify at least three strategies to enhance soft skills
    • Identify at least three strategies to prepare before, during and after an interview
    • Apply the STAR technique to effectively answer behavioural-based interview questions
  • Introduction to Research Data Management - Thursday, November 23 from 1 to 2 p.m.

    Kaelan Caspary, STEM and Data Librarian, Campus Libraries
    Online via Google Meet: meet.google.com/atz-wxye-tbo

    Not sure where to start with research data management? Know you have to make a research data management plan but feeling daunted? You have come to the right place! In this workshop you will learn about current best practice for research data management, how effective research data management relates to grants and funding, and how to get started on creating a research data management plan.

    Learning outcomes:
    • Define research data management
    • Understand research data management best practices, context, and benefit
    • Learn the basics of creating a research data management plan

    register