Thesis Writer Workshops
Provided by OD&PL in partnership with the Language Centre
The Thesis Writer series supports you in developing as an academic writer throughout your PhD. Each workshop is tailored to a specific stage of study – please book only one workshop per year, at the stage that matches your progress:
- Year 1 (pre-transfer): The Beginning Thesis Writer
- Year 2 (post-transfer): The Developing Thesis Writer
- Final year (pre-submission): The Finishing Thesis Writer
These workshops help you strengthen your writing skills while also building confidence and identity as a researcher. You’ll explore what successful academic writing looks like, and how to develop your own authority as a thesis writer.
Sign Up, Show Up
We operate a ‘Sign Up, Show Up’ policy: please only book if you can attend, and cancel promptly by emailing researcherdev@leeds.ac.uk if you can no longer make it. This allows us to offer your place to someone on the waiting list.
- Sign up with intention
- Prioritise Your Development
- Respect Others’ Time and Experience
Programme for 2025/26
Workshops and dates for the full academic year are listed below to help you with your planning. Booking links will go live in three cycles — advertised in September, December, and March — with workshops available to book 1–2 months in advance.
You can choose individual sessions at the time that best supports your progress.
Cycle 1 (November - December 2026)
25 November 2025 - The Beginning Thesis Writer
Strong academic writing is essential for success in your PhD. This workshop is designed for first-year PGRs and will help you develop confidence and identity as a thesis writer.
You will explore the expectations of writing at this stage, learn how to demonstrate authority in your work, and analyse examples of effective academic writing. You will also identify strategies and resources to continue developing your writing independently.
The Beginning Thesis Writer - 25 November 20254 December 2025 - The Developing Thesis Writer
As your PhD progresses, so do the demands on your writing. This workshop is designed for post-transfer PGRs (typically in Year 2) and will help you refine your skills as a developing thesis writer.
You will explore how to take ownership of your academic voice, strengthen your authority through argument and structure, and analyse examples of successful thesis writing. You will also identify ways to build confidence and sustain your writing development through the middle stages of your PhD.
The Developing Thesis Writer - 4 December 202510 December 2025 - The Finishing Thesis Writer
In the final stages of your PhD, clear, authoritative writing is more important than ever. This workshop is designed for PGRs preparing to (re)draft their thesis for submission.
You will focus on how to present your research with confidence, refine precision and clarity in your writing, and learn from examples of successful theses. You will also explore strategies for editing, managing feedback, and maintaining momentum as you complete your thesis.
The Finishing Thesis Writer - 10 December 2025Cycle 2 (February 2026)
5 February 2026 - The Beginning Thesis Writer
Strong academic writing is essential for success in your PhD. This workshop is designed for first-year PGRs and will help you develop confidence and identity as a thesis writer.
You will explore the expectations of writing at this stage, learn how to demonstrate authority in your work, and analyse examples of effective academic writing. You will also identify strategies and resources to continue developing your writing independently.
Booking for this workshop will be available in December.
12 February 2026 - The Developing Thesis Writer
As your PhD progresses, so do the demands on your writing. This workshop is designed for post-transfer PGRs (typically in Year 2) and will help you refine your skills as a developing thesis writer.
You will explore how to take ownership of your academic voice, strengthen your authority through argument and structure, and analyse examples of successful thesis writing. You will also identify ways to build confidence and sustain your writing development through the middle stages of your PhD.
Booking for this workshop will be available in December.
19 February 2026 - The Finishing Thesis Writer
In the final stages of your PhD, clear, authoritative writing is more important than ever. This workshop is designed for PGRs preparing to (re)draft their thesis for submission.
You will focus on how to present your research with confidence, refine precision and clarity in your writing, and learn from examples of successful theses. You will also explore strategies for editing, managing feedback, and maintaining momentum as you complete your thesis.
Booking for this workshop will be available in December.
Cycle 3 (April - May 2026)
30 April 2026 - The Beginning Thesis Writer
Strong academic writing is essential for success in your PhD. This workshop is designed for first-year PGRs and will help you develop confidence and identity as a thesis writer.
You will explore the expectations of writing at this stage, learn how to demonstrate authority in your work, and analyse examples of effective academic writing. You will also identify strategies and resources to continue developing your writing independently.
Booking for this workshop will be available in March.
5 May 2026 - The Developing Thesis Writer
As your PhD progresses, so do the demands on your writing. This workshop is designed for post-transfer PGRs (typically in Year 2) and will help you refine your skills as a developing thesis writer.
You will explore how to take ownership of your academic voice, strengthen your authority through argument and structure, and analyse examples of successful thesis writing. You will also identify ways to build confidence and sustain your writing development through the middle stages of your PhD.
Booking for this workshop will be available in March.
28 May 2026 - The Finishing Thesis Writer
In the final stages of your PhD, clear, authoritative writing is more important than ever. This workshop is designed for PGRs preparing to (re)draft their thesis for submission.
You will focus on how to present your research with confidence, refine precision and clarity in your writing, and learn from examples of successful theses. You will also explore strategies for editing, managing feedback, and maintaining momentum as you complete your thesis.
Booking for this workshop will be available in March.