Emerging Researchers Academy
The Emerging Researchers Academy is a continuing series of student workshops designed for undergraduate researchers and those who are interested in participating in mentored research projects. The workshops offer foundational, research-supportive skill-building activities as well as informational sessions focused on deeper engagement with learning through undergraduate research. Sessions have focused on the research writing process, research question development and design, responsible conduct of research, as well as applying for research opportunities and programs, preparing for graduate study, and combattng imposter syndrome.
Fall Event Series
Emerging Researchers Academy: Overcoming Impostor Phenomenon to Write with Confidence Workshop
Date: Wednesday, September 2nd
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
In this online workshop, we will help you build your writing confidence by identifying and overcoming the impostor phenomenon. You will learn techniques on how to tackle what are sometimes the most difficult writing challenges that can contribute to feelings of imposterism: getting started and managing your time. Come jumpstart your academic writing career, discover your writing strengths, and learn how to become a confident writer!
Emerging Researchers Academy: Research Writing Process Workshop
Date: Wednesday, September 9th
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
In this interactive Zoom workshop, we will help demystify the college research writing process by breaking it down into manageable chunks, so you don’t procrastinate until the last minute. Start your academic research writing career off right by finding out why you write the way you do, and how to become a more efficient writer!
Emerging Researchers Academy: Research Question Workshop
Date: Wednesday, September 16th
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
Research questions can be difficult to start because they are often the first step in your research process. This interactive Zoom workshop will help you feel more comfortable when beginning a research project and will teach you how to develop a clear, focused, and complex research question.
Emerging Researchers Academy: Library Databases and Research Strategies Workshop
Date: Wednesday, September 23rd
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
VCU Libraries provides access to over 670 unique databases, as well as the Gold Search Box on the Libraries' website which allows you to discover books, articles, DVDs, and more. With all these options available, it should be easy to find resources for your research, right? Well, it's not that simple! Join a Teaching & Learning Librarian for a workshop about navigating library databases and forming search strategies to make your hunt for relevant, credible resources quicker, easier, and less of a headache! This workshop will demonstrate how to effectively use the Gold Search Box on the Libraries' website, as well as how to find and use subject-specific databases.
Emerging Researchers Academy: Reading and Incorporating Academic Sources into Your Writing Workshop
Date: Wednesday, September 30th
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
Sources are an important part of the writing process, but it can be difficult to know whether an article is “academic” or “scholarly,” much less whether or not it is useful to your research. This interactive Zoom workshop is a guide to finding, reading, evaluating, and incorporating academic sources into your work. Students will learn tips to start the search for relevant sources and how to properly integrate outside information into their writing.
Emerging Researchers Academy: Using Zotero to Manage Your Citations Workshop
Date: Wednesday, October 7th
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
Zotero is a free and open-source software program to help you manage citations and create bibliographies -- and save plenty of time and heartache in your research process. In this VCU Library online workshop, participants will learn how to create a Zotero account, import citations and PDFs from various platforms, organize references, and generate in-text citations and bibliographies in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.
Emerging Researchers Academy: Annotation Workshop
Date: Wednesday, October 14th
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
Annotation allows a reader to engage with the text by expressing their perspective while reading. Participating with a text can be a powerful tool not only for comprehension but also retention. This workshop will outline factors of annotation in order to practice annotation mindfully and effectively.
Emerging Researchers Academy: AI in AI (Academic Integrity in Artificial Intelligence) Workshop
Date: Wednesday, October 21st
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
This online workshop explores how to use AI tools responsibly and intentionally by addressing the risks of relying on AI for unverified information, the ethical concerns of generative platforms, and the importance of maintaining authorship and voice. Participants will gain tips for using AI outputs responsibly and learn how to use AI to enhance their scholarly identity.
Emerging Researchers Academy: Synthesis Workshop
Date: Wednesday, October 28th
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
Synthesizing is a key skill in the reading and writing process. Through reflection and critical analysis, engaging in synthesis assures us that we understand with a text as readers, and as writers ensures that we engage with the text in a new and meaningful way. This workshop will go over tips to more confidently and effectively incorporate synthesis into your research.
Emerging Researchers Academy: Writing a Strong Introduction, Abstract, or Proposal Narrative Workshop
Date: Wednesday, November 4th
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
Being able to show the value of a larger piece or project with a succinct, well-structured introduction, abstract, or proposal narrative can be a nerve-wracking endeavor, as you scramble to articulate your ideas in the best way possible. In this interactive Zoom workshop, we will give you the tools necessary to establish your ideas in a strong, logical way that will hook your audience and get them excited about reading more.
Emerging Researchers Academy: Structuring Your Writing for Your Audience Workshop
Date: Wednesday, November 11th
Time: 3-4 p.m.
How to join: Sign up via Zoom
It can be frustrating to put so much work into a paper, only to be told it doesn’t flow or make sense. Alternatively, if you’re not sure how to do these things, you may put off writing until the last minute, which often results in a rushed mess. This interactive Zoom workshop will give you the tools necessary to meet the needs of your audience by writing strong, logical, structurally sound work.