You can register for 1 workshop. Spots per workshop are limited. First come, first served. You can see at the course portal how many sports are available.
WORKSHOP 1. Unlocking the potential of ChatGPT as your multifaceted research assistant
Clarize de Korne | Postdoctoral Researcher in Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Julius Center UMC Utrecht
The swift integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into scientific research is a game changer. You now face a choice: adopt AI to enhance your research or ignore it and risk falling behind. This workshop is designed to elevate your proficiency with ChatGPT, demonstrating its potential to assist you with everyday research tasks such as brainstorming, literature review, data preparation and analysis, and manuscript writing.
Clarize will share practical insights from her daily use of ChatGPT model 4.0, including its plugins like Consensus and Data Analyst, for her current research project about the use of high school absenteeism data for infectious disease surveillance. This will not be a passive session; you are invited to bring your laptop, try out what you learn on the spot, and share your own ChatGPT experiences. We will briefly touch on ethical considerations and journal guidelines, discussing how to responsibly use AI in your research. Towards the end, we will explore emerging AI trends that are set to offer even greater support in our research endeavors in the years to come.
WORKSHOP 2. Generative AI and its applications in the research field
Christine Fox | Assistant Professor, Biomedical Sciences UMC Utrecht
This workshop is designed for researchers eager to explore the potential of generative AI (GenAI) in enhancing their work. Beginning with a concise introduction to Generative AI, the session will cover ethical considerations, practical applications in research, and offer detailed examples of GenAI utilization in research projects. Key areas include hypothesis generation, research question refinement, reviewer rebuttal assistance, and research grant development. The workshop will include a focused session on crafting grant proposals with the aid of GenAI tools.
WORKSHOP 3. Data visualisation in the post-bar-chart era
Laura Dijkhuizen | Bioinformatics lecturer Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics UU
Bar charts are a staple in scientific literature yet frowned upon by the data visualisation community for certain use cases. Some major publishers even prefer not to publish them anymore. These include big names like PLoS, eLife, and Nature. This workshop explores bar chart's just and unjust usage and the available alternatives.
The workshop exercises are prepared with R and GGplot2. At least novice experience is expected in GGplot2. Additionally, we welcome users of Python, graph-pad, and other software. The workshop is made as software-agnostic as possible. Do note that practical help during the workshop will be limited to R-users due to time constraints. Make sure to bring your laptop with R+Rstudio (or your software of choice) installed.
After this workshop, you can highlight proper and erroneous usage of bar charts and implement easy alternatives.
WORKSHOP 4. Make impact with science communication
Jerwin de Graaf | Communication advisor UMC Utrecht
How do you make the most of your science communication? Just like in science: with careful planning and consideration. In this workshop, a science communications advisor from UMC Utrecht will help you answer the four main questions that can help you make impact with science communication. You will also learn about the relationship between the media and science, and how you can make use of that.
WORKSHOP 5. Catch the public’s eye with your graphical abstract
Floor Kropman-Henken | Teacher and educational developer Biomedical Sciences Utrecht University
Graphical abstracts are images that allow readers immediate understanding of the story’s main message. Including a graphical abstract has become standard in more journals over the last few years. Besides the requirement upon submission for publication, designing strong images can also be beneficial to illustrate your research to lay audience or create more exposure for your research group in the hallway and online.
Upon joining this workshop, you will focus on creating a graphical abstract based on your own topic in two phases. By exploring the characteristics which discern a selection of published graphical abstracts, you will first gain insight in the requirements for designing an effective graphical abstract. The latter part of the workshop is dedicated to designing your own image. Using a stepwise approach, you will decide how to translate part of your topic or current research into an image. These steps include pinpointing the main message, selecting the storyboard that best fits your story and deciding what part of your research will function as the protagonist. Bring your ideas and enthusiasm and you will leave the workshop with a first sketch of your own graphical abstract.
WORKSHOP 6. Pathways to Planetary Health: starting with your PhD
Marit de Kort | Board member Green Labs NL & Policy Officer Biomedical Sciences UMC Utrecht
We live in an era where global challenges demand interdisciplinary solutions. This workshop aims to equip PhD candidates like you with the knowledge and tools to become catalysts for positive change. Through discussions, interactive activities, and expert insights, you'll delve into the interconnected realms of sustainability and planetary health.
During this workshop we will explore how you can limit the environmental impact of your PhD research, and how your research can contribute to a healthier, more sustainable planet, while aligning with your personal and professional values.
The learning goals for this workshop are:
- Understand the concept of planetary health and its significance in addressing global sustainability challenges.
- Identify interdisciplinary connections between planetary health, public health, environmental science, and social equity.
- Explore practical strategies for integrating planetary health principles into PhD research and professional practice.
- Develop a personalized action plan for incorporating planetary health and sustainability into your current work or future (academic) career.
WORKSHOP 7. Inclusion & social safety - the PhD’s perspective
Rutger Legeland | Trainer and consultant at Human Centric
In this interactive workshop Rutger will teach you the basic principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), as well as social safety. In our discussion we will delve into some specific dynamics PhDs are confronted with. Rutger will also give you practical tips & tricks on dealing with bias, exclusion, and inappropriate behavior.
We will answer questions, such as:
- What is DEI? What barriers do we have to act inclusively?
- What is social safety? How do we define inappropriate behavior? How can we deal with it as a bystander?
WORKSHOP 8. Tame your inner critic!
Nynke Okma & Madelon Gijzel | Coach and trainer/advisor Studentwellbeing and development UMC Utrecht
Do you often find yourself struggling with self-criticism? Is there an inner voice that whispers that you’re never quite good enough, and that one day they might discover that you’re an imposter? Does this inner dialogue burden you with stress and self-doubt? If you’re seeking a change in this pattern, then this workshop is for you!
Perfectionism and self-criticism are common struggles among PhD students, given the academic and personal pressure they face. And that’s a shame, because there is a more light-hearted approach to navigate these mental obstacles! This will grant you more space and clarity to focus on what truly matters to you.
During this workshop, you’ll:
- Discover that you (and your inner critic) are not alone.
- Gain insights on your inner critic and its favorite narratives.
- Learn effective strategies to tame your inner critic.
- Refocus on what truly matters to you
