Accelerate Your Dissertation: Fall 2019 Series

This series of monthly 1-hour mini-workshops is designed to help UAB students complete their theses and dissertations, graduate, and publish—on time!

1) Begin with the End in Mind: Creating a SMART Timeline (Free Mini-Workshop)

Wednesday, September 25, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm, in Shelby Building, Room 105

“Begin with the end in mind” when trying to accomplish any important goal, advised Dr. Stephen R. Covey, in his popular book on the habits of highly effective people. Highly effective dissertators employ the same strategy by creating a dissertation timeline based on personal, departmental, committee, and UAB expectations. Writers learn how to map pre-candidacy and candidacy tasks and deadlines and leave with a draft timeline to use in ongoing planning with committee members. Feel free to bring your lunch.

2) Finding and Analyzing Model UAB Dissertations (Free Mini-Workshop)

Tuesday, October 29, from 12:00pm to 1:00pm, in Shelby Building, Room 515

What does a good dissertation look like? What are the criteria for judging one? What does a quality dissertation look like at UAB? This hands-on session walks writers through general criteria for a quality dissertation using the two most common types of UAB dissertations – 1) preprint-reprint (of articles) and 2) the traditional tome. Students learn to find and evaluate dissertations in their field and leave with a dissertation analysis tool that helps them analyze and model the best studies. Feel free to bring your lunch.

3) Master Dissertation Diplomacy: Communicate with Your Committee (Free Mini-Workshop)

Tuesday, November 19, from 2:00pm to 3:00pm, in Shelby Building, Room 515

Experts advise doctoral students to “be the CEO” of their own dissertations, but this is easier said than done. This interactive session offers proven strategies for working with committee members, minimizing communication problems and optimizing the role of mentors and support networks. Students learn the ropes of this high-stakes project management task, which is a critical factor in dissertation success. Feel free to bring your lunch.