NSF-GRFP Info Session

Monday, September 14, 4-5 p.m., via Zoom 

Are you a graduate student in your first in a STEM-based discipline? Are you interested in three years of funding while in grad school? Are you a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident? Then please join us for an informational session about the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)! In this information session we will discuss the program, eligibility, and how to prepare a strong application. The informational session will be followed by a four-week writing group where you can work on the application and receive feedback from peers and the Graduate Writing and Presenting Lab. Stay tuned for more information about that forthcoming writing group!

Grad School Crash Course

Tuesday, September 15, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., via Zoom 

Have you ever asked yourself any of the following questions: “Who is my advisor?” “How do I form a committee?” “What even is a committee?” “What are comprehensive exams and do I even have to take them?” “What’s the difference between a thesis and a dissertation?” “What does ‘ABD’ mean?” Whether you are in a master’s or doctorate, there’s a lot of lingo to learn and academic culture to adapt to. Make sure you’re ready!

URI Computer Science Connect Day

Friday, September 18, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.,
Memorial Union, Bliss Hall, and Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering, in-person

This event is meant to bring students, alumni, faculty, and industry partners together for conversations about computing careers, emerging technologies, recruiting, and the evolving role of AI in the workplace.

Register here on Handshake.

Reading with Focus and Purpose

Tuesday, September 22, 1 – 2 p.m., via Zoom 

Studying by simply reading and re-reading is one of the least effective forms of studying. The problem is that readers often read passively and without absorbing information. After reading the previous sentences, for example, did you move to this one and continue reading without processing what you had just read? Most readers do. We often don’t pause to think about what we have read. This workshop will offer graduate-level study strategies in addition to methods to maximize learning while reading purposefully.

Seminar on Effective Teaching

Thursday, September 24, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., via Zoom

Graduate students who are TAs or are pursuing tenure track faculty positions will benefit from this workshop led by Dr. Kayon Murray-Johnson, winner of the 2021 URI Teaching Excellence Award and URI teaching and learning specialist. She will facilitate an interactive session on strategies and practices for creating a positive learning environment for students. This session counts towards the Graduate School’s Equitable and Inclusive Teaching and Pedagogy Badge.

Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Kick Off!

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 12:30 – 1 p.m., via Zoom.

Learn about this fun way to compete for up to $1,000 in prizes, improve your research communication skills, and gain recognition for you and your work. Our 2026 winners will be there to get you excited about participating in this competition. Our 2024 3MT winner, Sarah Davis, PhD Candidate won regionals and competed at Nationals. You can too!

Teaching at Teaching Intensive Institutions

Friday, October 2, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Worcester State University, Student Center (In-Person)

Click HERE for registration information and updates.

Many faculty enjoy rewarding careers at colleges and universities that primarily emphasize teaching, including liberal arts colleges, community colleges, and regional comprehensive universities. This free one-day regional conference brings together graduate students, postdocs, and faculty to discuss what it’s like to work at teaching intensive institutions and how to apply for these faculty positions. Graduate students and postdocs will engage with faculty and deans from a range of teaching-intensive institutions across the New England region through a series of talks, panel presentations, and networking opportunities. Information will be continually updated on the TTII conference website, including a place to request notification of registration opening.

Time Management for Grad Students

Tuesday, October 6, 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., via Zoom

Have you ever wished there were extra hours in the day? In this 30-minute workshop, we will introduce time management strategies and help you identify approaches that might work for you so you will be better prepared to make each day a productive one.

URI Engineering & STEM Career Fair

Wednesday, October 7, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.,
Ryan Center Arena, in-person

Have you ever wished there were extra hours in the day? In this 30-minute workshop, we will introduce time management strategies and help you identify approaches that might work for you so you will be better prepared to make each day a productive one.

Register HERE on Handshake.

From Sources to Citations: APA Style and Zotero

Tuesday, October 13, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., via Zoom
Hosted by Molly Robinson

Properly citing sources is an essential part of graduate research and writing, but managing citations and bibliographies can be challenging. Whether you’re new to academic writing, looking for a refresher on APA style, or hoping to find a better way to organize your research, this workshop will provide practical tools and strategies for managing your sources and citations. We’ll discuss when and how to cite sources using APA style, explore best practices for creating bibliographies and reference lists, and introduce Zotero, a free citation management tool that can help you organize your research and streamline the citation process. You’ll leave with a better understanding of APA citation practices and resources to help you manage your sources more efficiently.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

Tuesday, October 20, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., via Zoom
Hosted by Tia Hines

Do you struggle to start writing—or find yourself waiting for inspiration, motivation, or the “right” time to begin? Many writers, at all levels, experience writer’s block, whether they’re facing a blank page, feeling overwhelmed by a large project, or worrying that their writing isn’t “good enough.” In this workshop, we’ll explore practical strategies for getting started, organizing your ideas, and making steady progress on your writing. We’ll discuss techniques for overcoming the blank page, creating effective outlines and project plans, developing sustainable writing routines, and managing your time and expectations. Whether you’re working on a seminar paper, research project, presentation, or thesis/dissertation, you’ll leave with concrete strategies to make the writing process more manageable—and to help you move from thinking about writing to actually writing.

Introduction to Equitable and Inclusive Teaching

Thursday, October 22, 2026, 12 – 2 p.m., via Zoom

Associate Dean and Professor of Education Annemarie Vaccaro will provide insight into and best practices for equitable and inclusive teaching. This seminar can be taken alone or be counted toward the Equitable and Inclusive Teaching & Pedagogy Badge Program.

AI and Grad Writing

Tuesday, November 10, 12 – 1 p.m., via Zoom
Hosted by Jordan Scott

Many students have come to rely on generative artificial intelligence (such as ChatGPT) for their writing. While AI can make writing easy, it can also make it bland, uninspired, and easy for a reader to recognize as AI generated. In this session, we will talk about how to put your human voice back into your writing and improve its structure. In this workshop, we will navigate the “do’s and dont’s” of graduate writing and AI.

Presenting Your Scientific Poster

Tuesday, November 17, 3 – 4 p.m., via Zoom
Hosted by Molly Robinson

As a graduate student, you’ll often present your research at a conference or showcase. In this session, learn tips and strategies for what to say and how to effectively present your scientific poster to scholars in your field.

Providence Writing Retreat

Tuesday, December 1, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.,
RINEC – Seminar Room 332, in-person 

Do you need some late-semester accountability to work on a writing project? A term paper, dissertation chapter, or perhaps even make a plan for using your summer break effectively? Join us for some or all of this jam session where you can bring any writing project and come work in a space with like-minded students! Coffee, tea, and light continental breakfast fare will be provided. No registration is required, but please consider signing up so we can anticipate how much food to order. If you have any questions while you’re writing, a Graduate Writing & Presenting Lab consultant will be available to chat with you. Register HERE. 

Please note: the area around RINEC in Providence has street parking, but there are no commuter lots for URI students. RINEC does however have its own paid parking garage at 330 Eddy Street (South Street Landing Garage) just behind the South Street Landing building on the same side. There are a few different parking garages in the area—the correct garage has large black & white historical photos on the outside & is located on the same side of Eddy Street as SSL. Additionally, when you arrive at RINEC, you may need to check in at the front security desk to let them know you are there to attend a writing retreat.