Writing as a research student

Writing as a research student

During your studies you will produce a range of reports which will demonstrate that you are being effective in your research. As well as your markers of progression, you will have opportunities to present your research outcomes at internal and external meetings including reports for grant funding bodies, publications of your research and a range of other outputs.

Improving your writing skills

You will already know how to express your ideas and discuss those of other researchers in writing, however, you will continue to develop this key academic skill during your doctorate. There is a range of College expertise available to enhance your report writing and production.

Accordion

The Centre for Academic English provides an extensive range of courses and workshops to develop the academic STEMM communication competence of all Imperial College London academics, researchers and students, both native and non-native speakers. For Imperial staff and researchers (including doctoral students), the Centre provides training for external academic communication, including writing research papers for publication, presenting at conferences, writing grant applications and writing for the REF. The Centre also has an extensive postgraduate researcher programme specifically designed to develop your competence as an effective communicator of your research.

Imperial College London Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement (DACR)

You may have been required to demonstrate that you meet the College's English langauge criteria before starting your degree. If this was the case, once you have started your degree, you will also be required to demonstrate that you meet the Imperial College London Doctoral Academic Communication Requirement. For further information, please see the DACR webpage. 

The Graduate School has expertise in supporting you through the process of producing a thesis, a grant application, or a publication. Please see their Research Communication Programme for more information.

The Library has expertise in information management for example: in optimising your search criteria for publication databases; how to manage your referencing; how to make your thesis suitable for open access; and how to choose the right copyright licence for your work. Please consult their range of workshops.

Your supervisor will provide feedback on your work, but particularly on the scientific aspect of your writing. They will be able to give you guidance and advice in your discipline area.