Work smart: inbox, productivity & meetings (Online)

The demands on doctoral students extend well beyond the research itself. Managing supervisor relationships, navigating degree requirements, handling email and attending meetings all consume time that could otherwise be spent on research. For many PhD students, these administrative pressures accumulate quietly until they begin to affect progress, wellbeing and the quality of supervisory interactions.

This workshop addresses the practical side of managing a PhD. It starts with the student-supervisor relationship: how to prepare effectively for supervision meetings, how to set agendas that make the most of limited contact time and how to follow up in a way that keeps the project moving. Participants will also explore strategies for managing their inbox without it dominating their working day, including batching email, writing clear and purposeful messages and using templates for routine communications. The session introduces a simple decision framework for choosing between communication options, a distinction that saves significant time when applied consistently.

The workshop also covers research workflow and prioritisation. Participants will assess their current working patterns using a structured reflection tool, identify where time is being lost and consider how digital tools can support rather than add to their workload. The session includes individual exercises, group discussion and peer discussion of common challenges.