How to structure an academic paper? How to write an abstract? Is it worth publishing a conference proceeding? What publishers are best to target? How does the review process work and how to deal with it in an effective way? What conferences and summer schools to attend? How to do networking and self-promotion? Where to look for a postdoctoral position? These are some of the questions that PhD candidates often ask themselves. Such questions seem to be trivial, but are nonetheless fundamental for a person’s success in the academic environment. This course is intended to help PhD candidates to think strategically about and design in an informed way their own career. It explores a number of questions that most PhD candidates encounter at the beginning of their careers.

The course is open to all Phd candidates. Some specific contents (e.g. how to write a paper; how to select the best journal for your paper) are addressed mainly with reference to the fields of geography, urban studies, urban planning, architecture – while other contents are also valid with reference to other disciplines (e.g. engineering)

• Course topics: functioning of the publication system (with reference to articles on Italian and international journals and books in particular) and of the review process; structuring an academic article; writing an abstract; selecting the right journal and publisher; navigating the academic career in Italy and abroad; doing effective networking and self-promotion; preparing a conference presentation; avoiding the most common mistakes when a PhD candidate is at the beginning of his/her career. • Reading materials: there are not specific textbooks related to this course. Ad hoc readings will be suggested with reference to specific topics of the course. • Assessment and grading criteria: students will be required to do short exercises during the course, with reference to specific topics addressed during the lectures (e.g. writing an abstract and preparing a presentation). The assessment will take into consideration the results on these exercises and the candidate’s engagement during the lectures. • Expected learning outcomes. During the course the student will acquire detailed knowledge of several fundamental aspects of academic life (e.g. the functioning of the international publication system, of the review process, of academic career in Italy and abroad) and develop presentation, writing and networking skills. • Course delivery modalities: the course is composed by five meetings (four hours each). Collective discussions, presentations by students and individual meetings for tutoring will complement traditional, ex-cathedra lectures.

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Presentazione report scritto

P.D.2-2 - Aprile