Program for Graduate Students
A sense of community as well as support for the development of core competencies are key to academic success and student wellbeing. Named after the successful “Connected Academics” project developed by MLA in 2019, this initiative is designed to support graduate students in the Arts in their personal, professional, and academic growth, and to create a space for interdisciplinary reflection on their scholarly work.
Faculty of Arts
Connected Academics for Arts graduate students features invited speakers from a variety of institutions, as well as the McGill community, to offer a broader perspective on topics related to professional development. Each talk will be followed by a 1 hour community café. During the community café participants will have the opportunity to connect with their peers, discuss the topic of the session and enjoy food and drinks.
1. Failing to Succeed: rethinking the value of failure in academia
Academic culture promotes ideas of success that are often toxic; yet, failure is an essential part of the academic journey. In this session, we will talk about the need to rethink the value of failures and how it relates to success in academia. Our guest speaker, Prof. Maïka Sondarjee (University of Ottawa), specializes on how gender, race and class mediate academic success and recognition.
When: September 19, 2023 @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: ARTS 150
How: Register here
2. Decolonizing Academia
In the ever-evolving landscape of academia, it is imperative that graduate students in the arts engage in critically rethinking the foundations of their disciplines. Join us for an enlightening talk on 'Decolonizing Academia' with Associate Provost of Indigenous Initiatives, Prof. Celeste Pedri-Spade (McGill University). Explore the historical and systemic roots of colonialism within your field, and gain insight into identifying and challenging power imbalances. This session empowers you to actively contribute to the decolonization of academia, fostering a more inclusive and equitable future for the arts.
When: October 17, 2023 @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: ARTS 150
How: register here
3. Writing Your Dissertation Without Tears
Does the thought of writing your thesis or dissertation make you want to pull your hair out? Fear not! Writing a dissertation doesn't need to be as draining as you might think. Join us in a conversation with writing coach Natalya Androsova about shaking off toxic dissertation writing myths and finding joy in the writing process.
When: November 14, 2023 @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: ARTS 150
How: Register here
4. Passion, Pressure, Perseverance
Maintaining your passion for your research and staying motivated through the pressure of grad school is not an easy task. Join us in a conversation with Dr. Anna Sverdlik (UQAM) about what it takes to persevere and achieve your goals in graduate school.
When: January 26, 2024 @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: ARTS 150
How: Register here
5. Becoming a Public Scholar
How can you become a public scholar who shares their research with publics beyond the university, creates a positive impact and facilitates change? From co-designing research projects with community partners and advocacy-based research to translating your research to be accessible to a wide audience, public scholarship can take many forms. In this session, we will talk about how grad students can engage in public scholarship with Prof. Jason Opal (McGill) and Prof. Kimberley Manning (Concordia University).
When: February 16, 2024 @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: ARTS 150
How: Register here
6. The Journey from Academia
What is the right career path after finishing your Ph.D.? In this session, we will talk about the process of exploring and assessing academic and non-academic career paths and what to consider when thinking about your career.
When: March 15, 2024 @ 5:30pm-7:30pm
Where: ARTS 150
How: Register here
Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
A sense of community as well as support for the development of core competencies are key to academic success and student wellbeing. The Connected Academics initiative is designed to support doctoral students in their personal, professional, and academic growth, and to create a space for interdisciplinary connections. The core elements of the Connected Academics Initiatives are:
- Providing information about services and resources
- Creating opportunities for inter-departmental discussions
- Supporting social engagement with peers.
1. Get a healthy start to the semester
Learn more about the Connected Academics Program and its mission. We will discuss how to stay healthy and foster a meaningful grad school experience.
When: September 28, 2023 @ 11:30am-1:00pm
Where: Centennial Centre Room 207
How: Register here
2. Staying organized, healthy and motivated: managing your energy effectively
Knowing how you work best is essential for managing your academic schedule while staying healthy in grad school. Join us to learn more about managing your energy levels. Together, we will talk about our ideas of productivity and assess our working habits.
When: October 26, 2023 @ 11:30am-1:00pm
Where: Centennial Centre Room 207
How: Register here
3. Promoting your Research: Advice for proposals and presentations
Do you get nervous about presenting your research? Gain insight into managing anxiety in your life and overcoming your fear of public speaking. This session will be led by Shannon Walsh from the Student Wellness Hub at Macdonald Campus and Andrew Churchill the presentation training director for the Lister Family Engaged Science Initiative. Come with questions and expect to be involved!
When: November 30, 2023 @ 11:30am-1:00pm
Where: Conference Room, Macdonald-Stewart, MS2-084
How: Register here
4. Developing Writing Skills: Challenges and resources
Get advice on developing academic writing skills and developing good writing habits in grad school.
When: January 25, 2024 @ 11:30 am-1:00pm
Where: Conference Room, Macdonald-Stewart, MS2-084
How: Register here
5. Exploring your professional path after grad school for MAC
Learn how to plan for a meaningful career after grad school. Discover various paths beyond your graduate experience, reflect on your professional identity, and set goals for yourself that will help you figure out your next steps.
When: February 29, 2024 @ 11:30 am-1:00pm
Where: Conference Room, Macdonald-Stewart, MS2-084
How: Register here
6. Getting to know your inner leader
Discover your own leadership strategy as a graduate student and future professional. Learn the importance of effective communication in building successful networks, paving the way for career advancement and personal growth.
When: March 28, 2024 @ 11:30 am-1:00pm
Where: Conference Room, Macdonald-Stewart, MS2-084
How: Register here
7. Applying for funding: Planning for next year
Applying for funding can be challenging and time-consuming. So, it is better to start planning well in advance! Learn from past applicants and evaluators and get tips on how to make your application stand out. Bring your questions and join us for this session on funding applications.
When: April 25, 2024 @ 11:30 am-1:00pm
Where: Conference Room, Macdonald-Stewart, MS2-084
How: Register here
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