Discover Your Skills
Doctoral studies can feel isolating as if you're alone on an island, and as a result, it can feel like a humongous task to navigate interpersonal conflicts and build relationships. The OYF workshops helped me break down these concepts and provided strategies so that now I am able to de-escalate conflict and maintain meaningful relationships with my peers, supervisors, and thesis committee."
Priyanka Prabhu
PhD Candidate, Chemistry
Contact Information
Jenny Richmond-Bravo
Doctoral Professional Development Coordinator (Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies)
p. 519-661-2111 x87848
jrichm6@uwo.ca
Current doctoral students will receive a monthly email with Own Your Future news and events.
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Communication & Relationship Building
Graduate Students Who Excel in Communication & Relationship Building:
Communicate Complex Information
You tailor your communication to a variety of audiences and adjust the level of technical detail to ensure comprehension and impact. You showcase your unique voice and style and present ideas with clarity.
Disseminate Information Effectively
You use dissemination channels (publications, social media, etc.) to effectively share information relevant to your research, scholarship, or creative activity.
Work Effectively With Others
You establish rapport, empathy, and understanding with others. You address conflict, give and receive feedback, and manage power imbalances to foster positive working relationships.
Build Partnerships and Collaborations
You build partnerships that enhance the needs and interests of all parties.
Dissertations: Finding Joy in the Writing Process
January 20, 2026, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET *Online/Virtual*
In this seminar you will gain insight into managing feedback and the expectations of supervisors, and reveal resources to demystify the dissertation writing process. This seminar also addresses how to be active (instead of reactive) to take ownership of your work and even provides a strategy that can forever transform your relationship to your dissertation.
Copy That! Grappling with Copyright at Western and Beyond
January 22, 2026, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. ET *Online/Virtual*
Did you know that the simple act of creation is enough to be the holder of the copyright to a work? That is, unless you sign these rights away. This session will provide an overview of copyright basics and provide a summary of your rights as a creator, and advice on how to protect these rights. It will also cover publishing, teaching, and document creation with practical examples of what to look for in a variety of employment contexts including universities, colleges, and the private sector..
Dissertation Writers' Retreat
February 26 & 27, 2026, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET
Remove yourself from daily distractions and focus your time exclusively on dissertation writing! The Dissertation Writers' Retreats provides PhD candidates with dedicated time for intensive writing. Participating in the Retreat can help you make significant progress in writing your dissertation and help establish good writing habits.
Coffee, tea and water will be provided. Please bring your lunch.
more Communication & Relationship Building resources for Grad students
GradWRITE Seminar Series
GradWRITE Seminars cover a variety of writing support topics for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Western Libraries Events and Workshops
Learn about publishing, copyright, information management and more!
Western Research Support
Access programs to support research communication, knowledge mobilization, and opportunities for collaboration.
Inspiring Minds
Practice describing your research and scholarship in 150 words!
EDI Learning
Access workshops and online modules to support your communication and relationship building skills while upholding EDI principles
Truth and Reconciliation
Resources and actions for engaging in, and promoting, Truth and Reconciliation work at Western and beyond.
