Graduate Seminars and Development Series

Graduate Seminar Series Graduate Professional Development Workshops

The Graduate Department of Kinesiology offers monthly graduate seminars featuring speakers from across U of T and Canada. Speakers present on a broad variety of topics. Please note that dates and topics are subject to change. Both the Graduate Seminar Series and Graduate Professional Development Workshops count towards SRM3335H and SDM4445H. For more information regarding Graduate Seminars and what to do if a session is missed, please see the KIN Graduate Handbook.  A formal announcement will be sent out via email the week of the seminar.

Graduate Professional Development Workshops

The Graduate Department of Kinesiology holds a series of workshops designed to support MA, MSc and PhD students during their program.

Past topics have included:

  • Grant and Scholarship Applications
  • Managing Projects, Committees, and Timelines
  • Ethical Considerations in (Graduate Student) Research
  • Writing for your Thesis
  • Effective Conference/Classroom Presentations
  • Anti-Racism Workshop
  • Graduate Student Elevator Speeches
  • Open Access and Knowledge Mobilization

All graduate seminars and professional development workshops will commence at 12 p.m. and will run until 1 p.m via Zoom. Students in the MA, MSc and PhD programs are expected to attend all of the graduate seminars. 

Academic Success Workshops

The Graduate Department of Kinesiology will be offering a variety of Academic Success Workshops throughout the 2022-2023 academic year facilitated by Nicolas Nicola, Learning Strategist and Special Guests. These session require registration prior to the workshop. Please watch out for workshop announcements from grad.kpe@utoronto.ca.

About the facilitator: Nick is the Learning Strategist with Academic Success and the Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education. In his role, he provides advanced academic and learning skills counselling and advises students on the development of their educational plans. Nick completed his BA at the University of Toronto, MA at Queen’s University, and is currently a PhD candidate in Philosophy at the University of Miami. To this role, he brings years of practical learning experience demonstrated by his perspectives as a student, teaching assistant, instructor, and facilitator. 
Learning is an on-going process and Nick is here to guide you along your learning journey. Feel free to reach out to him anytime! 

September 23, 2022  Postponed Date TBC Vitamin Sea?: A critical approach to blue health with Professor Cassandra Phoenix

October 28, 2022 The effect of spinal stimulation on brain activation during lower-limb movements with Professor Gerome Manson 

November 18, 2022 We don't snack on exercise, we snack on chips and crisps with Professor Patrick Jachyra

November 25, 2022 Sport and Environmental: A Proposal For An 'Environmental Sports Journalism' (ESJ) Approach with Dr. Brian Wilson

December 9, 2022  Cancelled

January 13, 2023 The Pleasures of Suffering with Dr. Paul Bloom - Hybrid room BN307

February 3, 2023 The Centre for Motor Control Seminar Series: Get out of the way: factors affecting people's collision avoidance behaviours with other people and objects within different environments with Dr. Michael Cinelli 

March 10, 2023 Postponed to March 24, 2023 Sport, Education, and Meaningful Community Differences with Dr. Andrew Peters, President and Chair, Rising Stars Athletics and Education

September 30, 2022 Managing Project, Committees, and Timelines with Professor Michael Atkinson

October 14, 2022

January 27, 2023 Publishing in Academic Journals with Dr. Kerry McGannon and Dr. Simon Darnell

February 17, 2023 Reflections on First Teaching Experiences in University with Sarah Gairdner (PhD), Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto

March 31, 2023 (TBC) Cancelled

April 21, 2023  Cancelled Graduate Student 'Elevator Talk' Presentations 

KPE Graduate Writing & Working Group (GWWG)

In this session, students will be provided a space to co-work on their assignments, projects, readings, and thesis. The Graduate Writing and Working Group offers an inclusive, engaging, and supportive environment for KPE graduate students to excel in their academic pursuits while being engaged with their graduate community at large. In terms of structure, the sessions are 2 hours in length. We begin by sharing our academic goals and what we plan to accomplish. After this we work simultaneously on our tasks taking optional breaks when needed. Typically, 10-15 minutes before the session ends, we regroup and debrief to discuss how things went. Note: All KPE MSc and PhD students at any stage of their degree are welcome and you do not need to prepare anything prior to attending. .   

Date: Weekly, every Friday starting September 16th, 2022 though April 28th, 2023. Does not occur during holiday closures or reading weeks. Please see MA, MSc & PhD Kinesiology Handbook 2022-2023 for sessional dates.   
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 
Location: BN 304

Citation Manager Guide: How to Effectively Use as a Learning Tool Workshop 

To complete your thesis or dissertation, a citation manager guide becomes vital to your organizational success. In this workshop, students will learn the basics of citation managers. Additionally, students will learn how to effectively use it as a learning tool to aid in their organization, creativity, and timely completion of their research projects.

Date: Wednesday, September 21, 2022
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm 
Location: BN 302

Writing Effective Literature Reviews Workshop

How do you write an effective literature review? In this workshop, students will learn how to craft a strong literature review. Additionally, students will learn how to apply critical thinking and time management tools to effectively conduct a literature review.

Date: Wednesday, October 26, 2022
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 pm 
Location: BN 302

Tackling the Comprehensive Exam Workshop

How do you effectively prepare for the comprehensive exam? In this workshop, students will familiarize themselves with the purpose and structure of the comprehensive exam, as well as learn about completion timeline and important dates. Students will also be provided with learning strategies to aid in each stage of the comprehensive exam. 

Date: Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Time: 4:00 - 5:30 pm 
Location: BN 302

Effectively Preparing for the Final Oral Exam (FOE) Workshop

How do you effectively prepare for your final oral exam (FOE)? In this workshop, students will familiarize themselves with the purpose and structure of the FOE, as well as learn about completion timeline and important dates. Students will also be provided with learning strategies to aid in each stage of the FOE.  

Date: Monday, January 23, 2023
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm 
Location: BN 302

Tackling the Dissertation Workshop 

In this workshop, students will be able to learn how to tackle the dissertation from the pre-writing research stage to the writing stage. Students will be offered tools and resources that will aid in devising a plan to manage the large dissertation project into small, manageable tasks and steps.   

Date: Monday, February 13, 2023
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 pm 
Location: BN 302

Navigating the Academic Publishing Process Workshop

How do you prepare your paper for publication in a journal? In this workshop, students will familiarize themselves with the culture and stages of academic publishing. Students will also have an opportunity to hear first-hand from faculty and students who have successfully published their work. 

Date: Monday, March 13, 2023
Time: 2:00 - 3:30 pm 
Location: BN 302