Events For Graduate & Professional Students

Design Your Life
Jan. 5-9, 2026, 3-5 p.m

If you are looking to make new connections, generate a plan for your future and explore concepts of work and life, join the next cohort of the week-long Design Your Life workshop. This program is based on the Stanford-developed curriculum that focuses on creating a sense of agency and cohesion in your career and life. Meet with postdocs and PhD students as you explore ways to design a fulfilling life through this five-day curriculum. If you are interested in joining this Design Your Life cohort, please email Carl Remmes. 

Pathway to the PhD Winter Break Sprint
Jan. 13-14, 2026, 8:45 a.m.–3 p.m.

Over two days, you’ll build a strong foundation for your PhD journey while connecting with a supportive community of fellow doctoral students. By completing this micro-credential, you’ll receive a free copy of A Field Guide to Grad School: Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum, a free t-shirt, practical strategies for finding scholarships, fellowships, and grants, an Individual Development Plan (IDP) tailored to your goals, direct connections to campus offices dedicated to graduate student success and a clearer sense of how to make the most of your PhD experience. Spots are limited, register to participate in the Pathway to the PhD micro-credential. 

PhD Career Accelerator Series
Wednesdays: Feb. 11, 18, 25; March 11, 25; April 1, 8, 15. 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Curious about careers open to PhDs? Enroll in the eight-session PhD Career Accelerator Series to learn more about yourself and the career options that fit you best. As part of the series, you will create and start implementing a career development plan. Between sessions, you will do activities focused on your interests, skills, values, career vision and goals. During sessions, you will discuss your insights and experiences with others who are engaging in the same career exploration process. Spots are limited, register for the PhD Career Accelerator Series in Bullseye powered by Handshake. 

Take a Break: “Publish or Perish” Game & Well-Being Social
Jan. 21, 2026, 4-6 p.m.

Doctoral study can be intense, with constant deadlines, research pressure and the challenge of balancing academic and personal responsibilities. This event is designed to give you a much-needed pause. Join fellow doctoral students for a relaxed, low-stakes gathering centered around the card game Publish or Perish, a playful take on academic life. Whether you’re looking to unwind, meet new colleagues, share a laugh about the realities of research, or simply step away from your work for a bit, this is a chance to recharge in supportive company. No experience with the game required—just bring yourself and a willingness to have fun. Come rest, connect and remember that you’re not alone on this journey. Hosted by the Office of Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching Transformation (CATT). Limited space available and refreshments will be provided. Register for “Publish or Perish” Game & Well-Being Social.

IDP Workshop for Doctoral Students (South Campus)
Jan. 22, 2026, 2-4 p.m.

Completion an Individual Development Plan (IDP) helps doctoral students assess their skills, strengths and goals and align them with actionable steps to achieve academic and professional success. An IDP helps doctoral students, and their advisors communicate annual plans for acquiring disciplinary knowledge, research and analytical skills, and professional development and career skills. At the end of the year, the IDP provides a framework for assessing progress in those areas. The Graduate School is hosting this workshop for doctoral students the help prepare their IDP. Register for the IDP Workshop.

Self-Care and Stress Relief for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
Jan. 27, 2026, 3-4 p.m.

A practical and engaging workshop designed to help graduate students and postdocs manage stress and prioritize well-being. Learn what stress really is, explore its sources and discover effective strategies like mindfulness, time management and self-care practices to prevent burnout. This workshop will also address challenges such as imposter syndrome and share tools to build resilience and confidence. Healthy snacks will be provided. Register for the Self-Care and Stress Relief workshop.

Self-Care and Stress Relief for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
Jan. 28, 2026, 3-4 p.m.

A practical and engaging workshop designed to help graduate students and postdocs manage stress and prioritize well-being. Learn what stress really is, explore its sources and discover effective strategies like mindfulness, time management and self-care practices to prevent burnout. This workshop will also address challenges such as imposter syndrome and share tools to build resilience and confidence. Healthy snacks will be provided. Register for the Self-Care and Stress Relief workshop.

Productivity Workshop: Identify and Overcome Your Productivity Pitfalls
Jan. 28, 2026, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Graduate School has partnered with the Graduate Student Association and the Office of Postdoctoral Scholars to provide a series of workshops dedicated to productivity. Progress is never linear and the best-laid writing plans often fall apart – but why? This workshop with Productivity Coach Dr. Kate Henry will help you identify the common productivity pitfalls (distraction, boundaries, overcommitting, multitasking, etc.) that might be your barrier to progress. You will learn approaches for avoiding these pitfalls in the future and for mitigating them when they occur. Register for the productivity workshop.

IDP Workshop for Doctoral Students (North Campus)
Jan. 29, 2026, 2-4 p.m.

Completion an Individual Development Plan (IDP) helps doctoral students assess their skills, strengths and goals and align them with actionable steps to achieve academic and professional success. An IDP helps doctoral students, and their advisors communicate annual plans for acquiring disciplinary knowledge, research and analytical skills, and professional development and career skills. At the end of the year, the IDP provides a framework for assessing progress in those areas. The Graduate School is hosting this workshop for doctoral students the help prepare their IDP. Register for the IDP Workshop.

Calendar Management for Graduate Students
Feb. 4, 2026, 5-6 p.m.

Join Accessibility Resources and Accessible Academics to learn how to manage and set up your calendar as a graduate student. Learn some skills in this workshop then put them to use! There will be people available to work with you one-on-one to help manage your calendar in this workshop if you need it. Register for Calendar Management for Graduate Students.

Salary Negotiation 101: Know Your Worth
Feb. 5, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Know Your Worth! Learn the essential steps to negotiate your salary with confidence We’ll show you how to research compensation, build your value story, and navigate the conversation with clarity and professionalism. Register for Salary Negotiation 101: Know Your Worth.

LGBTQ+ Graduate Student Mingle
Feb. 5, 2026, 5-6 p.m.

Are you an LGBTQ+ graduate student looking to discover UB resources and connect with other LGBTQ+ graduate students? Join the LGBTQ+ Center and the Office of Graduate Professional Development to enjoy light refreshments and to expand your network. Register for the LGBTQ+ Graduate Student Mingle.

Productivity Workshop: Set Yourself Up for Success
Feb. 11, 2026, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Graduate School has partnered with the Graduate Student Association and the Office of Postdoctoral Scholars to provide a series of workshops dedicated to productivity. Join Productivity Coach Dr. Kate Henry for the first workshop in a two-part workshop series on practical skills for academics both in school and on the job. During the workshop, we will learn why, when, and how to apply tools to make productivity practices more efficient, with a focus on using prioritization and time blocking to manage distractions and set boundaries..

BIPOC Graduate Student Mingle
Feb. 11, 2026, 5-7 p.m.

Are you a BIPOC graduate student looking to discover UB resources and connect with BIPOC graduate students in other academic departments?  Join the IDC and the Office of Graduate Professional Development to enjoy light refreshments, a chance to discover the resources available, and the company of other students like you who are starting their UB graduate academic careers. Register for the BIPOC Graduate Student Mingle.

Demystifying Taxes for Graduate Students (US Citizens/Residents)
Feb. 19, 2026, 2-3:30 p.m.

Graduate students who receive stipends or salaries are in a niche tax situation, but it need not cause undue stress! Attend this workshop for tailored and actionable tax guidance, whether you received a Form W-2, a Form 1098-T, some other unusual document or no tax forms at all. The workshop walks you through calculating the taxable portion of your academic income and minimizing your tax liability using your higher education expenses. Special considerations for fellowship recipients and state residency for tax purposes will also be covered. The intended audience for this workshop is graduate students who are US citizens, permanent residents and residents for tax purposes who have assistantships or fellowships. Participants must collect tax materials listed on this webpage link prior to the workshop.Register for the tax workshop.

Third Thursdays: Application Advice and Search Support
Feb. 19, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

This session, open to all graduate students and postdocs, offers time to work on your résumé, CV, cover letter or other job application materials—with a career coach available to answer questions as they come up. We'll start with a few tips and best practices, then you'll have dedicated time to polish your documents. Register for Third Thursdays: Application Advice and Search Support.

Grant Writing for Humanities and Social Sciences
Feb. 25, 2026, 2-4 p.m.

Dr. Kim Miller is a negotiation coach and workplace equity consultant specializing in strategic negotiation skills and inclusive practices. She works with individuals and organizations to build confidence, advocate effectively, and achieve equitable outcomes through tailored workshops and coaching. This two-hour workshop is designed for graduate students in the humanities, arts, and social sciences. This session will cover the essentials of identifying funding opportunities, crafting compelling narratives, and structuring strong proposals. Participants will leave with practical strategies and resources to begin developing competitive grant applications. Register for the Grant Writing for Humanities workshop.

Fellowships and Grant Writing Basics Lunch and Learn
Feb. 27, 2026, 12-1 p.m.

Learn about the offerings for UB graduate students from the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships, followed by an introduction to grant writing. Light food and refreshments will be provided. Register for the Fellowships and Grant Writing Basics workshop.

PhD & Master's Virtual Career Expo
March 4, 2026, 12-4 p.m.

Registration is now open for the 2026 Graduate Career Consortium Virtual Career Expo! This immersive online event connects graduate students, postdocs, and alumni from STEM, Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences with top employers nationwide. Building on last year’s success—38 employers and nearly 1,500 participants—the 2026 expo introduces an exciting new platform, vFairs, offering an interactive experience that simulates an in-person career fair. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to network, explore career paths, and engage with recruiters in a dynamic virtual environment. Register for the PhD & Master's Virtual Career Expo.

Tough Talks: Communication Strategies for Difficult Situations
March 10, 2026, 3-4 p.m.

This workshop, presented by Counseling Services, equips graduate students with practical tools to navigate challenging conversations in academic and professional settings. Participants will learn conflict management styles, assertive communication techniques and strategies for addressing microaggressions with confidence and respect. Through interactive scenarios and evidence-based approaches, the session fosters skills in active listening, empathy and collaborative problem-solving to promote healthier dialogue and stronger relationships. Register for the Tough Talks workshop.

Third Thursdays: Application Advice and Search Support
March 19, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

This session, open to all graduate students and postdocs, offers time to work on your résumé, CV, cover letter or other job application materials—with a career coach available to answer questions as they come up. We'll start with a few tips and best practices, then you'll have dedicated time to polish your documents. Register for Third Thursdays: Application Advice and Search Support.

Third Thursdays: Application Advice and Search Support
March 19, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

This session, open to all graduate students and postdocs, offers time to work on your résumé, CV, cover letter or other job application materials—with a career coach available to answer questions as they come up. We'll start with a few tips and best practices, then you'll have dedicated time to polish your documents. Register for Third Thursdays: Application Advice and Search Support.

Writing Scholarly Book Reviews for Graduate Students and Postdocs
March 24, 2026, 3-4 p.m.

Join Dr. Steve Gump, author of How to Review Scholarly Books: Reading, Writing, Relishing (Princeton, 2025), for an engaging workshop on writing impactful scholarly book reviews. This workshop helps graduate students, postdocs and faculty in the humanities and social sciences learn how to select books, take effective notes, and write engaging scholarly reviews. Participants will also discover why well-crafted reviews are valuable intellectual contributions and gain practical reading strategies useful beyond reviewing. Register for Writing Scholarly Book Reviews for Graduate Students and Postdocs.

Networking 501: Connecting and Communicating in Cyberspace
March 31, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Join the Career Design Center for this session on Connecting and Communicating in Cyberspace. Register for Networking 501: Connecting and Communicating in Cyberspace.

First Friday Graduate Student and Postdoc Event at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum
April 3, 2026, 1-3 p.m.

The Graduate School will be hosting a table with professional development information and free refreshments for UB graduate students at the M&T First Friday at the Buffalo AKG Museum. The Museum admission will be pay-what-you-wish (onsite only, advance ticketing not available). Every first Friday of the month, the community is invited to attend a special evening at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum filled with interactive art events and activities inspired by our exhibitions and the works on view. Register for the First Friday Graduate Student and Postdoc Event at the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

Networking 502: Connecting and Communicating at Conferences
April 7, 2026, 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Join the Career Design Center for this session on Connecting and Communicating at Conferences. Register for Networking 502: Connecting and Communicating at Conferences.

Art of Research
April 28, 2026, 6-8 p.m.

This competition provides a unique opportunity for you (or your research team if a group submission) to convey your work through the images you capture, making complex concepts more accessible and engaging to a broader audience. This competition is open to graduate students and postdoctoral scholars from all disciplines, and we encourage submissions that embrace a variety of artistic mediums, including but not limited to photographs, illustrations, visualizations, renderings, and anything produced while performing research. A celebratory event will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at the Buffalo Museum of Science, where winners will be announced, and finalist photos will be on display. For more information, visit the Art of Research Competition webpage. The deadline to submit is Monday, March 9, at 11:59 p.m.

PhD Alt-ac Job Search Skillshop
Oct. 29, 2025

PhD candidates and Postdocs from all disciplines are invited to attend and explore the numerous job opportunities available with your PhD. We'll discuss how to explore opportunities and strategize together on how to secure positions. Have your laptop handy to start employing these strategies as you receive professional guidance. The world needs your skills—let's help you find work that excites you! Watch a recording of the PhD Alt-Ac Job Search Skillshop.

Funding Your Future: Strategies for International Grad Students
Oct. 15, 2025

Funding your graduate degree can be challenging, especially as an international student. Join the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships to learn about how to search for funding and tips for writing a strong application. Hear from guest speaker Esther Jose, originally from India, who recently completed her PhD in operations research at UB and is now an assistant professor at Iowa State University. Watch a recording of the Funding Your Future workshop.

Productivity Workshop: Slow Productivity for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
Oct. 8, 2025

The Graduate School has partnered with the Graduate Student Association and the Office of Postdoctoral Scholars to provide a series of workshops dedicated to productivity.

Does your to-do list feel like a bottomless pit? Are you overwhelmed by overlapping deadlines? Feeling more like a robot than a human being? Join Productivity Coach Dr. Kate Henry to develop slower approaches to productivity that are more accessible and achievable. We'll learn how to increase effectiveness without overworking ourselves you'll leave the workshop with tangible tools to plan intentional productivity sessions. Watch a recording of the productivity workshop.

Reading Strategies for Graduate and Postdoc Success
Sept. 11, 2025

This workshop is designed to help graduate students read academic material more effectively and efficiently. Attendees will learn about what it means to transition from passive to active reading and will leave with practical techniques for enhancing comprehension and retention. Watch a recording of the reading strategies workshop.

Productivity Workshop: Improve Your Time Management and Productivity Practices
Sept. 10, 2025

The Graduate School has partnered with the Graduate Student Association and the Office of Postdoctoral Scholars to provide a series of workshops dedicated to productivity. Craving approaches to help maximize your productivity without burning out? Join Productivity Coach Dr. Kate Henry to learn tools to improve your time management, develop realistic timelines for your projects, and increase your focus as you progress on your scholarly projects. You’ll leave the workshop with next steps you can apply to your current and future schedules and goals. Watch a recording of the productivity workshop.

Financial Wellness Workshop
Sept. 5, 2025

Learn how your relationship with money can be critical to managing your finances. Hear about the psychology of money and how it relates to your spending behaviors, financial goal setting, and how a spending plan (i.e., budget) is the proper foundation for building long-term financial security. Start early to build a solid financial future by maintaining healthy behaviors around money and building a spending plan for you. Watch recording of the Financial Wellness Workshop.

Grammarly’s Generative AI for Graduate Students and Postdocs
Aug. 28, 2025.

Did you know that Grammarly is now infused with generative AI technology that actually composes text and will get flagged by Turnitin as AI-created? Many tools you may have commonly used in the past now have generative properties that, depending on your instructor’s rules, can cross the line into academic dishonesty. This workshop will address how you can uphold UB’s high standards for academic integrity in this new landscape. Watch a recoding of Grammarly’s Generative AI for Grad Students and Postdocs.

Online Graduate Student Welcome
Aug. 27, 2025

Join the Graduate School as they showcase professional development resources designed specifically for online and remote graduate students. This session will guide you through the wide range of virtual tools, workshops and self-paced programs available on the Graduate Professional Development website. Whether you're looking to sharpen your writing, boost your presentation skills or explore career pathways, this session will show you how to access and make the most of these resources. Watch a recording of the Online Graduate Student Welcome.

Productivity Workshop: Structure as a Path to Sustainability
April 5, 2025

Does the blinking cursor on a blank Word doc make your stomach sink? Join Dr. Katy Peplin of Thrive PhD and Productivity Coach Dr. Kate Henry for Structure as a Path to Sustainability, a one-stop shop for overcoming overwhelm and lighting the way towards completing your next self-directed writing project. After this 4-hour session, you will leave with a personalized productivity plan, a repeatable project template, and deeper clarity on how to structure your days with more compassion and flexibility so you can make progress on your terms. Watch a recording of the productivity workshop.

Applying for Teaching Jobs in Higher Education
April 1, 2025

The Graduate School is hosting a workshop for students who are aiming for careers that prioritize teaching. This workshop will provide advice, resources and Q&A time about requesting recommendations, writing application letters, and tailoring CVs to teaching-centric jobs. Register to the Watch a recording of the Teaching Jobs in Higher Education.

Productivity Workshop: Clarify Your Goals and Manage Your Workflow in School and at Work
March 12, 2025

Join Productivity Coach Dr. Kate Henry for the second workshop in a two-part workshop series on practical skills for academics both in school and on the job. During the workshops, we’ll learn how to develop goal setting practices to manage workflows on our own and within teams. Workshop attendees will learn practical methods for prioritizing, communicating with colleagues and co-workers, and documenting their work to increase efficiency and contribute to team and company productivity norms. Watch a recording of the productivity workshop.

Demystifying Taxes for Graduate Students (US Citizens/Residents)
Feb. 18, 2025

Graduate students who receive stipends or salaries are in a niche tax situation, but it need not cause undue stress! Attend this workshop for tailored and actionable tax guidance, whether you received a Form W-2, a Form 1098-T, some other unusual document, or no tax forms at all. The workshop walks you through calculating the taxable portion of your academic income and minimizing your tax liability using your higher education expenses. Special considerations for fellowship recipients and state residency for tax purposes will also be covered. The intended audience for this workshop is graduate students who are US citizens, permanent residents, and residents for tax purposes who have assistantships or fellowships. Watch a recording of Demystifying Taxes for Graduate Students.

Productivity Workshop: Set Yourself Up for Success in School and at Work
Feb. 12, 2025

Join Productivity Coach Dr. Kate Henry for the first workshop in a two-part workshop series on practical skills for academics both in school and on the job. During the workshop, we will learn why, when, and how to apply tools to make productivity practices more efficient, with a focus on using prioritization and time blocking to manage distractions and set boundaries. Watch a recoding of the productivity workshop.

Grant Writing for Humanities: Pursuing Grants to Help Support Your Humanities Scholarship
Jan. 22, 2025

This workshop is for advanced doctoral students, and postdoctoral scholars in the humanities and related social sciences. This workshop examines how to compete for grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Fulbright U.S. Student Program, private foundations, and grants to travel to collections and libraries. Watch a recording of Grant Writing for Humanities.

Grant Writing for STEM fields: Research Planning for Future PIs
Jan. 21, 2025

This workshop is for advanced doctoral students and postdoctoral scholars in STEM fields. Learn how to identify funding, steps for planning a fundable research project, best practices, and common mistakes to avoid when writing a competitive proposal. Watch a recording of Grant Writing For STEM fields.

Diversity Statements and Writing Practices Workshop
Oct. 17, 2024

Join the Center for Excellence in Writing in a discussion on diversity statements. Learn to write diversity statements and how to navigate the changing landscape of them. In this workshop, you will be introduced to what diversity statements are, reflect on how you understand diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, have an open discussion about the changing perspectives on diversity statements, start drafting your statement, and share and obtain feedback on components of your diversity statements. Watch a recording of the Diversity Statements workshop.

Public Policy Fellowship / Assistantship Opportunities and New York State Government
Oct. 1, 2024

Public policy is central to our everyday lives and is more than just mundane tax and healthcare policy. Universal basic income, government artificial intelligence policy and other big ideas are part of public policy bailiwick. Join SUNY's premiere public policy think tank, the Rockefeller Institute of Government, to learn about the Institute's various fellowships, assistantships and internships, giving you a front-row seat to policy research and policymaking. The team from the Institute will also discuss job opportunities in the New York State government. Watch a recording of the Public Policy Fellowship webinar.

Finding a Postdoctoral Position Workshop
April 24, 2024

This workshop will explain what you’ll need to successfully apply for a postdoctoral position, including information on applications for different types of postdoc positions. Watch a recording of the Postdoctoral Position Workshop.

Productivity Workshop: Increase Efficiency & Effectiveness During Writing Sessions
March 6, 2024

Having difficulty focusing during writing sessions? In this workshop, Productivity Coach Dr. Kate Henry will cover common obstacles that derail writing, reading, and research. Attendees will learn productivity tools to help determine appropriate goals, set boundaries around distractions, and make tangible progress in every work session. We'll end our time with the opportunity to personalize an approach to a future work session by applying the tools we cover. Watch a recording of the productivity workshop.

Protecting Executive Functioning: A Skill-Building Workshop for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars
Feb. 21, 2024

This workshop is hosted by the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biological Sciences and Counseling Services. Participants will learn mental health tools for building resiliency throughout their academic and professional careers. Watch a recording of the Protecting Executive Functioning workshop.

Breaking Down Applied Research: A Hands-On Workshop for Students
Feb. 13, 2024

This workshop is an opportunity for students across disciplines eager to learn about conducting applied research. Drawing from her book Empowering Scholar-Practitioners: A Comprehensive Guide for Conceptualizing, Designing, Writing, Defending, and Publishing a Dissertation in Practice, Dr. Karalis Noel’s workshop will offer valuable insights into the practical aspects of conducting research directly impacting real-world problems. Watch a recording of the Breaking Down Applied Research workshop.