Bodleian iSkills workshops aim to develop your skills in information discovery and scholarly communications, covering a variety of resources across a wide range of disciplines. They are primarily aimed at University of Oxford students and staff. Some workshops take place face-to-face, whilst others are run online.
The workshops are FREE but online booking is essential. A list of the sessions taking place this term can be found on the iSkills Workshops webpage.
Monday 9th June 2025 10:00-11:00
Are you looking to learn about the ways in which to transmit scientific ideas and make your research accessible to a non-specialist audience through a variety of mediums? This session will serve as an introduction to science communication and how it can be successfully incorporated into our roles. By the end of this session you will be able to:
- define science communication and provide a list of examples;
- explain why science communication is important for both our CPD and the public;
- list ways in which we can all get involved in science communication.
Please note that this workshop is also run online. Please check the iSkills course listing for availability.
Format: Teacher-led presentation with opportunities for questions.
Location: Beeson Room, Cairns Library. John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU
Monday 9th June 2025 15:00-16:00
Open Scholarship: REF open access policy briefing
Do you want to make sure your work is ‘REFable’ per the new REF open access requirements? In this focused online briefing, we will:
- step you through the changes and new requirements
- provide links to further REF information and guidance
- let you know where to find help at Oxford
- answer as many questions as we can
Ideally the ‘Fundamentals of Open Access’ course will have been attended. If you’re not in a position to attend this course you can find similar information in the e-learning package to work through prior to attending.
Format: Online presentation and demonstration with plenty of time for questions.
Location: Microsoft Teams
Tuesday 10th June 2025 14:00-16:00
iSkills: Working with sensitive research data
A workshop outlining some of the key principles to bear in mind when working with sensitive or restricted research; whether collected yourself or obtained from a third-party source such as a data archive. Issues of confidentiality, informed consent, cybersecurity and data management will be covered. Examples of scenarios or concerns drawn from the research of participants are particularly welcome. The role of support services at Oxford will also be outlined and in particular the role of the Bodleian Data Librarian who will lead the session. Follow up consultations with the Data librarian or other subject consultants are also offered. Topics to be covered include:
- Key best practice principles when working with sensitive or restricted research data
- Issues around creating original data
- Informed consent agreements
- Maximising the usage potential of data during and after a project
- Strengths and weaknesses of anonymisation, data blurring and similar techniques
- Key strategies for protecting data including encryption, embargoes, future vetting and access restrictions
- Obligation put on researchers by legislation and research partners
Format: Teacher-led presentation with opportunity for discussion.
Location: Social Science Library, Information Skills Training Room, Manor Road, OX1 3UQ
Thursday 12th June 2025 14:30-16:00
Open Scholarship: Fundamentals of open access
Are you baffled by open, confused by embargoes? Does the mention of the colour gold or green catapult you into a realm of perplexed irritation? Come to this session, where we’ll break down open access and all its many jargon terms, confusing publishing structures and hint at the advantages you can reap by publishing open.
- What is open access? Key terms – Gold, Green, Article Processing Charges
- Where to get more information and help
- Where to look for open access material
- Useful tools to assist you in publishing open access
If you’re not in a position to attend a workshop you could also find similar information on the e-learning course, ‘Open Scholarship: Digital Induction to Open Access (MSD)‘.
Format: Online presentation with time to get answers to your questions.
Location: Microsoft Teams