Communication & Relationship Building

meeting.jpg

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.



2025-2026 Schedule 

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.

Don't Let Conflict Get in Your Way (Part 1)

March 3, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET

This session is offered in collaboration with Western's Office of the Ombudsperson. This is Part 1 of a 2-part Series.

Working effectively with others means addressing conflicts or disagreements in a productive and collaborative manner. In this interactive workshop you will begin by uncovering your conflict style using the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument. You will then immerse yourself in a fictional conflict case and uncover how different conflict styles address conflict. You will leave with tools to help you effectively address conflict with peers, professors, and coworkers.

Don't Let Conflict Get in Your Way (Part 2)

March 10, 2026, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET

This session is offered in collaboration with Western's Office of the Ombudsperson. This is Part 2 of a 2-part Series.

This workshop aims to help you effectively manage conflict and engage in difficult conversations, and will include scenario-based examples to reinforce the knowledge gained during Part 1 or the series. Participants will have an opportunity to practice the tools they have acquired through case studies and role play.

How to Deliver a Dynamic Presentation

March 11, 2026, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET *Online/Virtual*

Everyone has to write, and everyone has to present at some point during their professional lives. In this session, learn to craft dynamic presentations so you can effectively communicate your well-researched ideas. Audience analysis, persuasive messaging, impactful delivery, and engaging slide design will be discussed. Remember, it's not just what you say, it's how you say it that matters.

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.