Focus on Research Communication

Develop key skills for sharing research with non-specialist audiences and find out how to build a reputation as a go-to expert in your research field.

Become an expert in Research Communication

Growing your communication skills is an extremely important part of your doctoral journey at the University of Auckland, and so we have developed a comprehensive package of bespoke workshops, courses and resources to help you achieve this goal.

You are also able to take part in the doctoral community's  annual flagship events which celebrate research communication: the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and the Research Showcase.

As a result of all these opportunities, graduating with a doctoral degree from the University of Auckland means graduating with communication skills that set you apart in the job market.

Communication skills: a key priority at UoA

Our emphasis on becoming an expert in communication is reflected in the Doctoral Graduate Profile, which describes the capabilities which the University seeks to foster in all doctoral graduates, in preparation for life and work beyond your studies. One of the key themes among these capabilities is "Communicating and engaging in the service of relationships".

Similarly, the School of Graduate Studies' Doctoral Development Framework (a guide that helps you structure your professional development planning holistically) contains a core development area entitled "Communication, Influence and Impact". 

Don't miss out on the wide variety of communication development opportunities on offer for doctoral candidates at the University. You can read about many of them on this page and in our fortnightly Doctoral News.

What's on in June

The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Faculty Heats take place throughout the month of June. Learn more about 3MT and how you can enter this exciting competition.

What's on in July and August

Booking opens soon for the following workshops:

  • Tuesday 15 July: Communicating with the Media, with Margo White (online)
  • Tuesday 5 August: Communicating with the Media, with Margo White (online)
  • Tuesday 12 August: Communicating with the Media, with Margo White (online)

Note: Links to SGS events will take you to Wahapū booking pages. If you are a doctoral candidate who does not have access to Wahapū, you can book by completing the Doctoral Event Registration Form.

I think all up-and-coming researchers should engage with opportunities to communicate their research to a wider audience. It is easy to forget how amazing our research is, and a lot of the time the only people that know about it are you and your supervisors. 

Inka Pleiss UoA 3MT Winner (2024)

Join the Communicating Research COI

Doctoral candidates are invited to join the University’s newly-formed Communicating Research community of interest for academics and researchers. The group aims to build skills, knowledge and confidence for engaging with media and communicating your research and expertise to the public, in order to increase research impact, and strengthen the critic and conscience role of the University.

If you’re interested in this exciting opportunity, you can sign up by emailing Research Comms Manager Gilbert Wong.

Prepare for the Three Minute Thesis

Prepare for the Research Showcase

Resources

Online Courses on Communicating your Research

    Research Hub Guides to Publishing your Research

    Related links