Academic skills
These are programs to support you in pursuing an academic career, with a specific focus on research capability.
Research methods
Instats seminars offer foundational and cutting-edge content delivered by leading experts. Their live-streaming and on-demand seminars can be taken individually or as structured courses to provide you with the breadth and depth of knowledge you need.
If live sessions aren’t suitable for you, then try their on-demand seminars which offer a flexible and affordable learning option. After registering, you can activate your 30-day enrolment anytime. On-demand seminars offer all the expertise you need when you need it, including recorded tutorials, skill challenges, and activities.
See an Instats seminar or course you would like to do? Inquire with the Graduate Research School to see if you qualify for one of the free places funded by Curtin. Only a limited number available. Email ROC-GRS@curtin.edu.au to find out more.
Note, you must register with Instats using your Curtin postgrad email address. One course per student, conditions apply.
GRASP workshops
Includes recordings of workshops on writing the research proposal, literature searching and reviewing, data collection and analysis, the research writing process, and GenAI and research.
Research Methods online course
Follow these instructions to access the Research Methods Epigeum Course by Sage, free for Curtin students and staff. Designed specifically for students new to research, this interactive, online resource covers everything from designing a research question to analysing data and writing up your proposal.
Sage Research Methods (database)
Find resources to answer your research methods and statistics questions at Sage research methods database.
The Curtin Institute for Data Science runs workshops on data and computation, including hands-on training sessions in software carpentry, data carpentry, coding, GIT, R and Python. Learn techniques for programming, data analysis and visualisation.
The Curtin Library runs introductory training in R and Python.
Search Research Skills workshops.
Tools for data analysis – why use R? (Curtin Library Seminar)
Tools for data analysis – why use Python? (Curtin Library Seminar)
Academic writing and thesis
Milestones and Progression
- HDR Milestones and Progression – 10 April 2025 presentation slides [.pdf 1,304 KB]
- Echo360 Recording [100 minutes]
Graduate Research Advanced Skills Program (GRASP) – Candidacy Proposal Series
GRASP – Milestone 1 Proposal
Systematic Approaches to Searching the Literature
Systematic Reviews Guide
How to Find Theses
Thesis Submission and Examination
- Thesis Submission and Examination – 3 October 2025 [.pdf 3,785 kb]
- Echo 360 Recording
GRASP – Research writing series
Turbocharge Your Writing by Hugh Kearns (video presentation)
Seminar 11 December 2019
Turnitin access for HDR students
Turnitin is text-matching software used to check for originality in writing. HDR students are required to check their writing for originality at Miletone 1, Milestone 2, and thesis chapters prior to submitting their thesis. HDR students can find the Turnitin links in the Research Integrity and HDR Essentials organisation on Blackboard. Contact ROC-excellence@curtin.edu.au for access.
Referencing, Getting Started
Avoiding plagiarism
DIY Copying Editing Workshop for HDR Students
GRASP – Research Writing Series – Editing and Proofreading
Integrity, ethics, health and safety
As a new research student, the very first step is to identify all the possible risks or hazards in your research, and to understand your responsibilities. Before you apply for Milestone 1 (and ethics approval after that), you must first complete the Research Initiation Guide (RIG) to identify any risks and hazards associated with your research. To learn more about your responsibilities as a researcher, visit research ethics and safety.
Research Integrity training is compulsory for all HDR students. The ‘Research Integrity and HDR Essentials’ training is an organisation on Blackboard. Follow the instructions on how to self-enrol and complete the RI training or email ROC-Excellence@curtin.edu.au for assistance. This training must be completed prior to applying for Milestone 1.
Academic Integrity is at the heart of everything you do as a research student at Curtin. You are part of an academic community and are asked to uphold the University’s Code of Conduct, principles of academic integrity, and Curtin’s five core values of integrity, respect, courage, excellence and impact during your studies.
Curtin Academic Integrity contains essential information for students regarding academic conduct, including appropriate use of Gen-AI technologies, avoiding academic breaches, student guides and checklists, and using Turnitin.
For information on meeting copyright requirements while researching, including publishing articles and thesis obligations, visit copyright in research.
You must complete a Fieldwork and Work Integrated Learning Risk Assessment for all research activities, including research that doesn’t involve hazardous materials. This ensures that you identify the hazards associated with your research and that appropriate controls are put in place. For assistance with completing the forms, email HealthandSafety@curtin.edu.au.
All travel for fieldwork must be booking using Curtin’s Travel Operation Portal.
To report hazards and incidents, login to RISE
See more about ethics and safety.
Research and Career training
Curtin is a member of the Australian Technology Network (ATN) of Universities. The ATNs Frontiers program is free for Curtin HDR students.
Focusing on the future of research and work, ATN Frontiers develops HDR students’ knowledge, skills, and ability to shape the future of innovation and productivity in industry. The program supports students to become the work-creators of the future, fostering their ambitions and providing them the skills to take their research further into their careers and industry.
Modules are delivered online and run quarterly. Upcoming sessions are advertised in the HDR Newsletter, or contract ROC-excellence@curtin.edu.au for more information.
Level 1: Foundations of the Future 4-6 weeks, 10 hrs approx. online learning
- The Future of Project Mangement
- The Future Professional
- The Future of Colloboration
- The Future of Work and Innovation
- The Future of Communication
- The Future of Leadership
- The Future of Data
Level 2: My Future Master Classes 3-4 weeks, 15 hrs approx. online learning
- Digital Futures
- Policy Making Futures
- Sustainability Futures