The Weekly Workshop series provides a rich set of professional development opportunities for all members, but especially for students and trainees. Students and trainees are often encouraged to present their research and expertise to showcase the important work being done. The flexible and casual setting of the workshop is designed to support all participants.
Workshops are on Fridays starting at 12:15 pm in 50 Willey Hall, Seminar room on the UMN West Bank. Food and beverages will be served at all upcoming workshops.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Spring 2026 Schedule
January 23 - Spring Kick-Off - POSTPONED
All UMN Graduate students and postdocs are welcome to join us for a meeting and informational session on the Minnesota Population Center and Life Course Center and the benefits of a free, student membership. This event has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.
January 30 - 2026 Goal Setting
What will be your goals for 2026? Join in this session led by Michelle Phelps, Sociology.
February 6 - Level Up Your Positionality Statement
Learn more about positionality statements and how to write a good one with Bhaskar Upadhyay, Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.
February 13 - Telling Your Story with StoryMaps
Learn how you can utilize StoryMaps for better science communication with Michelle Andrews, GIS Research Professional at LATIS
February 20 - What Is It Like Being an Assistant Professor?
A panel of alumni trainees (J’Mag Karbeah, Katie Berry, Sam Gailey, & Chris Levesque) talk about the reality of being an assistant professor and answer your questions.
February 27 - Web Scraping
A discussion led by Ali Joglekar, Applied Economics.
March 6 - How to Make Sure No One Has Done Your Idea
Has someone already explored and published on the idea you have? How do you know? Join in this discussion with Claire Kamp Dush, Sociology.
March 13 - No Workshop
Spring break
March 20 - Productivity
Join Lesley Schmidt, Evan Roberts, Carolyn Liebler, and Anita Randolph for a discussion on how to stay productive.
March 27 - What's the Right Method and Data for Your Research Idea?
There are so many methods and data sources out there - how do you know what is the right approach for your research? Join Mike Esposito to explore that very question.
April 3 - Writing-up a Methods Section
A discussion led by Dave Hacker, History.
April 10 - All About Grant Writing
A workshop led by Jeannine Ouellette, Principal Writer and Editor at the UMN School of Public Health.
April 17 - Second Year Population Studies Trainee & Interdisciplinary Fellows Presentations
Join us to support our trainees and interdisciplinary fellows.
April 24 - PAA Poster Practice Session
Practice makes perfect! Help give feedback and provide support to those presenting posters at PAA.
May 1 - PAA Presentation Practice Session
Get those presentation nerves out with a practice session to hone your presentation skills ahead of PAA.
May 8 - No Workshop
PAA 2026 Annual Meeting held in St. Louis.
May 15 - Year End Wrap Up
Join us to celebrate the end of the year and debrief and share what we've learned at PAA.
Past Workshops
To view past workshop schedules, please use the links below:
- Archive of Workshop Schedules from Fall 2020 - Fall 2025
- Archive of Workshop Posters (pre-Fall 2020)