On this page you will find information about Graduate Student Workshops hosted by the Department of English, including links to registration forms.
Unless otherwise stated, these workshops are limited to current graduate students in English, in the programs and years as indicated.
The room location of each workshop is included on each registration form (NB: workshops may be changed to online if required as per public health guidelines).
Session 1: Strategies for Writing a Strong Research Proposal (an informational workshop)
Date: August 24, 2023
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
Location: via Zoom
This informational workshop is designed for applicants to the SSHRC doctoral and Vanier award programs, but those applying for CGS M or OGS are also welcome.
To register, please complete the Research Proposal Workshops registration form (the Zoom link will be emailed to participants closer to the date of the event).
English students should choose the “English” option. There are alternative dates if students can’t attend the English dates.
Session 2: SSHRC Peer-Review
Date: August 31, 2023
Time: 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Location: via Zoom
This hands-on peer-review session is designed for applicants to the SSHRC doctoral and Vanier award programs, but those applying for CGS M or OGS are also welcome. You do not need to have participated in the August 24th session to participate in the peer-review session. To participate, please register and then email your draft proposal to daniel.newman@utoronto.ca by August 29 at 4:00 pm at the latest.
To register, please complete the Research Proposal Workshops registration form (the Zoom link will be emailed to participants closer to the date of the event).
These sessions are open ONLY to students from the Department of English at the University of Toronto.
Date: October 5, 2023
Time: 12:15 - 1:45 pm
Location: JHB 616 and via ZOOM teleconferencing. There is mandatory registration for all participants (see below). Students will be sent the ZOOM link after they register for the session.
A one and one-half hour hybrid session with a Career Educator from the University of Toronto's Career Exploration & Education office.
This workshop will be co-hosted by Jessica Wurster, Career Education & Exploration Graduate Career Educator, and Joel Rodgers, Coordinator, Graduate Student Professional Development for the Faculty of Arts and Science.
The format will be hybrid. Please register below, and indicate if you will be attending in person, or via ZOOM. Only students registered will receive the information.
In this session you will begin to explore career pathways, considering various options available to you after the MA degree. You'll also be encouraged to think about the skills you're learning and practicing in graduate courses as stepping stones toward those pathways.
(Another workshop during the Winter semester will build on this Fall session, discussing practical details such as reading job postings and how to translate literary research skills onto a resume.)
If you are looking for on- or off-campus for the upcoming academic year, then you may want to explore the Career Exploration & Education job boards. The work study hiring period runs from mid-August to late September, and the best jobs tend to fill quickly.
You may also want to keep an eye on those job boards in September, as many employers start recruiting graduating students in the fall of their final year of study for roles starting the following spring/summer.
This workshop is open ONLY to students from the Department of English at the University of Toronto.
The Registration is now closed for this workshop.
Date: October 6, 2023
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm
Location: OISE 5250, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, 252 Bloor St W
This workshop will be held during an ENG6999YF class, so only MA CRW students will need to register.
Hosted by Professors Melissa Gniadek (Associate Director, MA) and Thom Dancer, this workshop will feature a panel of current PhD students, who will offer reflections and advice about writing your first seminar papers (including getting started, entering scholarly conversations, and time management), how to be a good class member in seminars, managing stress, having a life as a graduate student, and more.
The Registration is now closed for this workshop.
This workshop is open ONLY to MA and MA CRW students from the Department of English at the University of Toronto.
Date: October 16, 2023
Time: 2:00-4:00 pm
Location: JHB 616
This workshop will be hosted by Professors Melissa Gniadek (Associate Director, MA) and Alan Ackerman (Associate Director, PhD). They will be joined by two English PhD Students, Andy Chang (PhD2) and Tia Glista (PhD2), who will offer their advice and perspectives.
The Registration is now closed for this workshop.
This workshop is open ONLY to students from the Department of English at the University of Toronto.
Date: October 26, 2023
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm
Location: JHB 616
This workshop is mandatory for PhD3 and PhD U4 students, as well as any ABD students who have not attended this workshop; it is also open to any students who have attended but have further questions and/or would like to join in the discussion.
The workshop for recently ABD students will be hosted by Professors Dan White (Director of Graduate Studies) and Alan Ackerman (Associate Director, PhD). They will be joined by two English PhD Students, Aesha Nananso (PhD5) and Jasleen Singh (PhD6), who will offer their advice and perspectives.
This workshop addresses both bureaucratic and practical issues related to achieving candidacy (or becoming ABD). Dan, Alan, Aesha, and Jasleen will provide guidance and answer questions about: the timeline for achieving candidacy; what to expect from your supervisory committee and supervisor; the pros and cons of writing groups; the relative importance of writing the thesis vs. professional development and achieving life-work balance.
This workshop is open ONLY to students from the Department of English at the University of Toronto.
Date: October 30, 2023
Time: 2:00-3:00 pm
Location: JHB 616
This information session with Professor Dan White (Director of Graduate Studies), is intended for PhD students preparing to submit within the 2023-2024 Academic Year (from 1 September 2023 to 1 April 2024).
Registration is now closed for this workshop.
The Graduate Assistant, will be there to answer your questions about the presentation requirements of your thesis, and the timing and planning of the Final Oral Exam.
This Session is open only to PhD Students in Graduate English at the University of Toronto.
Date: November 30, 2023
Time: 1:00-2:00 pm
Location: JHB 616
This workshop is mandatory for PhD1 and PhD U2 students.
Hosted by Professor Alan Ackerman (Associate Director, PhD), the workshop will address the Special Fields (SF) process and provide advice that will help students design their reading list and prepare for the exam.
Registration has closed for this workshop.
This workshop is open ONLY to students from the Department of English at the University of Toronto.
Date: April 4, 2024
Time: Second Workshop, 3:15 - 4:45 pm
Location: JHB 616 and via ZOOM teleconferencing. There is mandatory registration for all participants (see below). Students will be sent the ZOOM link after they register for the session.
Hosted by Professor Melissa Gniadek, Associate Director MA.
This one and one-half hour workshop will be co-hosted by Jessica Wurster, Career Education & Exploration Graduate Career Educator, and Joel Rodgers, Coordinator, Graduate Student Professional Development for the Faculty of Arts and Science.
The format will be hybrid. Please register below, and indicate if you will be attending in person or via ZOOM. Only students registered will receive the information.
This session will build on the first one offered in October, but you do not need to have attended the first workshop to attend this one or to benefit from it! This session will focus on practical details to help you translate your English MA into the job search. For example, we will discuss how to read and interpret job postings and how to present literary research skills on a resume.
Both English MA and MA CRW students are welcome to attend.
Registration has closed for this workshop.
This workshop is open ONLY to students from the Department of English at the University of Toronto.