Introductory description

It is important for postgraduate students embarking on a research career both within and beyond academia to receive training in communicating and disseminating their research findings to different audiences.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The module will cover all aspects of communication in an academic and research focused environment, including conference presentations (posters and talks), publishing (abstracts, journal writing and peer reviewing), and grant writing.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• - Present their work at conferences in poster/spoken format
• - Communicate their work to a wider audience
• - Write about their work in different formats
• - Review the work of others
• - Begin to plan, manage and develop their future research career

Indicative reading list

• American Psychological Association. (2010). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Beins, B. C., & Beins, A. M. (2008). Effective writing in psychology: Papers, posters, and presentations. Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing.
• Darley, J. M., Zanna, M. P., & Roediger III, H. L. (Eds.) (2004). The compleat academic: A career guide (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Feldman, D. B., & Silvia, P. J. (2010). Public speaking for psychologists: A lighthearted guide to research presentations, job talks, and other opportunities to embarrass yourself. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Silvia, P. J. (2015). Write it up: Practical strategies for writing and publishing journal articles. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Sternberg, R. J. (Editor) (2000). Guide to publishing in psychology journals. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Sternberg, R. J. (2003). The psychologist’s companion: A guide to scientific writing for students and researchers (4th ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
• Sternberg, R. J. (2017). Psychology 101 1/2: The unspoken rules for success in academia (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Media awareness to develop the public understanding of science
Awareness of the issues surrounding grant and funding applications
Understanding of funding, management, and exploitation of research, and general issues surrounding career development.

Transferable skills

Effective communication at conferences
Effective communication to a wider audience
Ability to successfully review the work of others