Overview
Speaker: Mirjam Guesgen
Date: February 2, 2027
Time: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. ET
Language: English
Format: Online (via Zoom)
Audience: CanNRT Fellows and Trainee Members
Registration & Attendance Commitment
CanNRT workshops are offered free of charge, but registration is required. Each session represents an investment in expert-led training, co-designed curriculum, time, and resources.
By registering, you are committing to attend. If your plans change, please let us know as early as possible so we can offer your place to another trainee.
This workshop provides you with the opportunity to produce an initial thesis roadmap. You will identify a relevant Master’s or PhD thesis example from your discipline, learn about the typical structure and format, dissect that example using our specially designed workbook, and exchange with the facilitator and attendees about thesis writing. This initial roadmap can be refined and used to organize your research plans or start the writing process.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the workshop, participants will:
- Understand the utility of different types of theses (e.g. chapter-based “monograph” or thesis by publication).
- Have dissected a published thesis that aligns with their own research.
- Have participated in group discussions about thesis structure.
- Have created an initial thesis map with relevant chapter headings/subheadings that they can use for future thesis planning or writing.
Workflow and Outcomes
Before the workshop:
- Make sure you have access to the workbook and print it out if you wish to write in it using pen/pencil.
During the workshop:
- Dissect a published thesis that aligns with your own research.
Participate in group discussions about thesis structure. - Create an initial thesis map.
After the workshop:
- Use and refine this initial thesis map to guide future research, planning or writing.
Handouts and Readings
- Slides from the workshop – provided after the workshop
- Workbook (including guiding questions and space to create a thesis map) – provided BEFORE the workshop
Other Details
The workshops will be held online using Zoom. Participants will receive a reminder with the link close to the workshop date.
You will be using the workbook during the workshop so please make sure it is available to you. You may write in it digitally or print it out before the workshop.
As well as your laptop or computer, feel free to have paper, pens and pencils on hand for noting down your thoughts or doing initial planning.
Be ready to discuss, share ideas and participate actively!
Speaker
Dr. Mirjam Guesgen is an award-winning journalist, writing for outlets in Canada, the US and abroad. She also writes scripts for popular YouTube channels like SciShow, where her videos reach an audience of more than 8 million. As part of the McGill Writing Centre, she teaches written communication skills through workshops like this and the WCOM314 Communicating Science class. Before becoming a journalist full-time, she completed her PhD in Zoology at Massey University in New Zealand and a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Alberta. Her forthcoming book, The Rise and Fall of the Lab Rat, will be published in 2028.