Writing

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Cambridge University Library training courses: writing

Cambridge University Library and its affiliates run a series of training courses to support researchers engaged in different phases of the research cycle.

Support for the writing phase includes training on strategies for managing your information (notes, citations etc.) and reference management software.

Faculty-specific citation style guidance

Many of the faculties within the University of Cambridge provide guidance on preferred citation and referencing styles. These can be followed when submitting any undergraduate projects or postgraduate research.

LibrarySearch: books about the writing process

Cambridge libraries hold hundreds of print and e-books to help you with writing up your research, including practical advice on authoring your PhD, discipline-specific writing guidelines and referencing guides.

These books are listed on LibrarySearch: the main online catalogue for Cambridge libraries. Try your own search terms, or follow one of the pre-defined searches below:

Writing up research

Personal & Professional Development (PPD)

Professional development opportunities from the University specifically targeted at research staff. Includes training on teaching and learning, career management, communication and applying for funding.

Referencing conventions

Citation style will vary from faculty to faculty, and from publication to publication. It is best to consult with your Director of Studies or supervisor, or check a journal’s submission guidelines for preferred styles and further guidance. The University offers guidance and tutorials for some of the more common citation styles.

Research Data Management: Data management guide

Research data takes many forms, ranging from measurements, numbers and images to documents and publications. The resources on these pages were prepared for you by the University Library to help you plan, create, organise, share, and look after your research materials, whatever form they take.

Advice and training is given on file naming, version control and metadata, as well as referencing and reference management software.

Researcher Development Programme: writing

The Researcher Development Programme, part of the University's Personal and Professional Development offering, includes training and development opportunities for postdoctoral researchers and research staff in leadership, teaching and learning, personal effectiveness and strategic career management, amongst others.

Specific courses are offered on topics relating to the writing process, including scientific writing.

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University Information Services training: IT skills for writing

The University Information Service (UIS) provides a full schedule of IT-related training courses for staff and students of the University and Colleges. Courses relevant to the writing process include word processing and desktop publishing, bibliographic software (e.g. Endnote, Zotero, Mendeley), graphics and photos.

Courses are run in a variety of formats (face-to-face, self-paced, online etc.) and are repeated throughout the academic year.

University Information Services: archiving and backup support

It still happens that people lose an entire thesis or book because, for instance, they have relied on a single copy on a hard disk which ceases to work. The University Information Service provides advice and solutions on backing up and archiving your work, to avoid potential disaster.

University Information Services: DS Filestore

Your Desktop Services filespace, provided by University Information Services (UIS) can be used to store files which you create on your own computer system or at a Managed Cluster machine, or which you transfer using any standard method of file transfer.

Among other things, your DS filespace can conveniently be used to store backup copies of your files, on a system which is itself centrally backed-up and therefore secure. You can also use it to store and publish personal web pages.

Browse research support services by research phase:

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