Academic Advice in Arts & Humanities
Undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate taught (PGT) students in Arts & Humanities can make an appointment or come to a class with the Effective Learning Adviser (or one of her Graduate Teaching Assistants) to talk about anything related to your academic work. Common topics include:
- academic writing (essays, dissertations, research proposals)
- argumentation
- engagement with literature, referencing and using/critiquing sources
- time and project management
- effective, evidence-based study and revision methods
We can advise you on current unmarked work or past assignments, including helping you in how you:
- interpret the question
- think about your argument
- plan your essay
- research and use your sources
- write and edit your work
- apply feedback
We can advise you within the context of your subject, but are unable to advise on specific content. Similarly, we encourage your ability to edit and assess your work and, therefore, cannot offer proof reading.
If you are a Postgraduate Research student (PGR), you can seek academic advice and support through the Researcher Developer team.
Dr Robyne Calvert
Effective Learning Adviser for the College of Arts & Humanities
Class Timetables
Live Classes (Semester 2)
Mastering Academic Writing & Research (In-person and Online)
> Moodle page for this series - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=48995
Our Mastering Academic Writing course is for those wanting to fine-tune their academic skills to an advanced level.
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Tuesday 27th January | 13:00-14:00 | Active Reading for Academic Writing | This class explores how to use active reading to develop thorough, critical academic research. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tuesday 3rd February | 13:00-14:00 | The Architecture of Writing: Building a Strong Process & Practice | This class helps you design a sustainable writing process by building structure, strategies, and habits that foster confidence and consistency in your work. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tuesday 10th February | 13:00-14:00 | Thinking Through Things: How to Use Objects in Your Research | This class shows you how to research and write about objects—using their material qualities, histories, and meanings as evidence to enrich your research and generate fresh insights. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tuesday 17th February | 13:00-14:00 | Finding Your Voice: Expressing Ideas with Authority | This class focuses on practical editing strategies that strengthen your voice, sharpen your ideas, and make your work shine with clarity and rigour. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
| Tuesday 24th February | 13:00-14:00 | Editing Matters: Revising for Clarity and Confidence | This class focuses on practical editing strategies that strengthen your voice, sharpen your ideas, and make your work shine with clarity and rigour. | James McCune Smith: 745 |
Online Repeat:
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Monday 2nd March | 16:00-17:00 | Active Reading for Academic Writing | This class explores how to use active reading to develop thorough, critical academic research. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Monday 9th March | 16:00-17:00 | The Architecture of Writing: Building a Strong Process & Practice | This class helps you design a sustainable writing process by building structure, strategies, and habits that foster confidence and consistency in your work. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Monday 16th March | 16:00-17:00 | Thinking Through Things: How to Use Objects in Your Research | This class shows you how to research and write about objects—using their material qualities, histories, and meanings as evidence to enrich your research and generate fresh insights. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Monday 23rd March | 16:00-17:00 | Finding Your Voice: Expressing Ideas with Authority | This class focuses on practical editing strategies that strengthen your voice, sharpen your ideas, and make your work shine with clarity and rigour. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Monday 30th March | 16:00-17:00 | Editing Matters: Revising for Clarity and Confidence | This class focuses on practical editing strategies that strengthen your voice, sharpen your ideas, and make your work shine with clarity and rigour. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
Dissertation Classes (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci Students)
This course walks you through the process of writing a dissertation for the Arts & Humanities or the Social Sciences. The course consists of a combination of lectures and workshops where you will have a chance to practice the skills you learn.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=12843
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Tuesday 13th January | 12:00-13:00 | Dissertation Topic & Question | This session explores how to find a dissertation topic and then turning this topic into a research question you can answer in your dissertation. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tuesday 20th January | 12:00-13:00 | Literature Review | This class focuses on the literature review: what it is and its purpose within your dissertation. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Friday 23rd January | 12:00-13:00 | Literature Review Workshop (sign-up in advance) | In this workshop you will practice mapping your research to write a better literature review. Bring a selection of articles or book chapters you are working or planning to work with. | Click here to sign up (Moodle login required) |
| Tuesday 27th January | 12:00-13:00 | Your Dissertation's Methodology | This class focuses on the methodology: what it is, what the difference is between methods and methodology, and how to write about, explain, and justify your methodology. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tuesday 3rd February | 12:00-13:00 | Using Theory in Your Dissertation | This class focuses on the purpose of theory in academia and how to use it in your writing. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tuesday 10th February | 12:00-13:00 | Your Dissertation's Argument | This class explains how to construct a convincing argument that answers your research question. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Friday 13th February | 12:00-13:00 | Argument Workshop (sign-up in advance) | This workshop will give you a space to work on strengthening argumentation and criticality in your dissertation. | Click here to sign up (Moodle login required) |
| Tuesday 17th February | 12:00-13:00 | Your Dissertation's Structure | This class explains how to ensure your argument connects and links all of your dissertation chapters together within a robust structure. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Tuesday 24th February | 12:00-13:00 | Referencing in Your Dissertation | This class discusses why we reference in academia and how to reference your dissertation adequately. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
| Friday 27th February | 12:00-13:00 | Referencing in Your Dissertation Workshop (sign-up in advance) | This workshop will provide a space to practice referencing, using reference managers and compiling bibliographies. | Click here to sign up (Moodle login required) |
| Tuesday 3rd March | 12:00-13:00 | Editing Your Dissertation | This class focuses on the editorial process: how to go from a first draft to the final submission of your dissertation. | 256 Fore Hall (Main Building) |
Dissertation Classes (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci Students) (Online)
This course walks you through the process of writing a dissertation for the Arts & Humanities or the Social Sciences.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=12843
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Monday 9th March | 13:00-14:00 | Literature Review | This class focuses on the literature review: what it is and its purpose within your dissertation. | Zoom Link (via Moodle) |
| Tuesday 10th March | 13:00-14:00 | Your Dissertation's Methodology and Using Theory | This class focuses on the methodology: what it is, what the difference is between methods and methodology, and how to write about, explain, and justify your methodology. It will also address the role of theory in your dissertation. | Zoom Link (via Moodle) |
| Wednesday 11th March | 13:00-14:00 | Your Dissertation's Argument and Structure | This class explains how to construct a convincing argument that answers your research question and how to ensure all the chapters of your dissertaion are working coherently. | Zoom Link (via Moodle) |
| Thursday 12th March | 13:00-14:00 | Referencing in Your Dissertation | This class discusses why we reference in academia and how to reference your dissertation adequately. | Zoom Link (via Moodle) |
| Friday 13th March | 13:00-14:00 | Editing Your Dissertation | This class focuses on the editorial process: how to go from a first draft to the final submission of your dissertation. | Zoom Link (via Moodle) |
Essay Writing (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci Students) (In-person)
Our Essay Writing course is designed to give you a step-by-step guide on how to write a successful essay in the Social Sciences or the Arts & Humanities. This course will run once in Semester 1 and again in Semester 2.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10314
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Thursday 22nd January | 12:00-13:00 | ILOs & Essay Questions | This class covers the importance of Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) and how to deconstruct and interpret essay questions. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 29th January | 12:00-13:00 | Researching Your Essay for the Social Sciences | This class focuses on how to identify and review academic literature for your essay specifically in the Social Sciences. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 5th February | 12:00-13:00 | Researching Your Essay for the Arts & Humanities | This class focuses on how to identify and review academic literature for your essay specifically in the Arts & Humanities. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 12th February | 12:00-13:00 | Planning Your Essay | This class explores how to create an effective plan to write your essay assignments successfully. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 19th February | 12:00-13:00 | Building Your Essay's Argument | This class discusses what we understand by an argument, what are its main distinctive features. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 26th February | 12:00-13:00 | Structuring Your Essay | This class explores different ways to structure your essay to make sure it is organised around a central and coherent argument. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 5th March | 12:00-13:00 | Referencing | This class discusses why we reference in academia and how to reference your essay adequately. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
| Thursday 12th March | 12:00-13:00 | Editing Your Essay | This class focuses on the editorial process: how to go from a first draft to the final submission. | Kelvin, 222 Lecture Theatre |
Essay Writing (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci Students) (Online)
Our Essay Writing course is designed to give you a step-by-step guide on how to write a successful essay in the Social Sciences or the Arts & Humanities. This course will run once in Semester 1 and again in Semester 2.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10314
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Friday 23rd January | 12:00-13:00 | ILOs & Essay Questions | This class covers the importance of Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) and how to deconstruct and interpret essay questions. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Friday 30th January | 12:00-13:00 | Researching Your Essay for the Social Sciences | This class focuses on how to identify and review academic literature for your essay specifically in the Social Sciences. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Friday 6th February | 12:00-13:00 | Researching Your Essay for the Arts & Humanities | This class focuses on how to identify and review academic literature for your essay specifically in the Arts & Humanities. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Friday 13th February | 12:00-13:00 | Planning Your Essay | This class explores how to create an effective plan to write your essay assignments successfully. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Friday 20th February | 12:00-13:00 | Building Your Essay's Argument | This class discusses what we understand by an argument, what are its main distinctive features. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Friday 27th February | 12:00-13:00 | Structuring Your Essay | This class explores different ways to structure your essay to make sure it is organised around a central and coherent argument. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Friday 6th March | 12:00-13:00 | Referencing | This class discusses why we reference in academia and how to reference your essay adequately. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
| Friday 13th March | 12:00-13:00 | Editing Your Essay | This class focuses on the editorial process: how to go from a first draft to the final submission. | Join Zoom (via Moodle) |
Introduction to Statistics (for any UofG Student)
This series is for any student who will be working with data as part of their assignments, project, or dissertation. It will cover some fundamental concepts in statistics as well as how to use R Studio, a widely used statistical environment, to perform and present analyses. This particular course will be led by the Statistics Adviser.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=19841
| Date & Time | Title | Description | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Wed 1st Oct |
Introduction to R - Part 1 | This first session introduces some of the basic functionality of R Studio. Bring your laptop with you to follow along! | Rankine Building: 107 LT |
| Wed 8th Oct 13:00 - 14:00 |
Introduction to R - Part 2 | In the second session of this series, we will become more comfortable with R Studio and use it to create impactful graphs and predictive models. | Rankine Building: 107 LT |
| Thu 9th Oct 11:00-12:00 | Introduction to R (online version) | Combined version of the first two sessions which will provide an introduction to R Studio. |
Meeting ID: 881 2509 4862 |
| Wed 15th Oct 13:00 - 14:00 |
Descriptive Statistics | The third session in this series looks at what information we can draw immediately from our data, while still painting a more complete picture than a simple average. We will cover measures of central tendencies, dispersion, and position. | Rankine Building: 107 LT |
|
Thu 16th Oct 11:00-12:00 |
Descriptive Statistics (online repeat) | Online repeat of the above session. |
Meeting ID: 881 2509 4862 |
| Wed 22nd Oct 13:00 - 14:00 |
Probabilty | To certainly give students a better chance of answering the question "how likely was that?", our fourth session covers the basic rules of probability, as well as both discrete and continuous probability distributions. | Rankine Building: 107 LT |
| Thu 23rd Oct 11:00-12:00 | Probabilty (online repeat) | Online repeat of the above session. |
Meeting ID: 881 2509 4862 |
| Wed 29th Oct 13:00 - 14:00 |
Hypothesis Testing | This fifth session will cover hypothesis testing, which is used to draw conclusions about a whole population from a sample of data, e.g. how can news outlets call an election with only a fraction of the votes tallied? We will discuss how to choose the null and alternative hypothesis, and which distributions to use. | Rankine Building: 107 LT |
| Thu 30th Oct 11:00-12:00 | Hypothesis Testing (online repeat) | Online repeat of the above session. |
Meeting ID: 881 2509 4862 |
| Wed 5th Nov 13:00 - 14:00 |
Simple and Multiple Linear Regression | This sixth session will discuss the relationship, or more precisely the correlation, between variables, and how to describe these relationships using simple and multiple linear regression. We will use R to generate a best fit line to pairwise ordered data, and then also generate a more complex linear model. | Rankine Building: 107 LT |
| Thu 6th Nov 11:00-12:00 | Simple and Multiple Linear Regression (online repeat) | Online repeat of the above session. |
Meeting ID: 881 2509 4862 |
| Wed 12th Nov 13:00 - 14:00 |
Logistic and Multinomial Regression | Does the amount of time a student spends studying increase the probability of passing their course, and if so, what’s my probability of passing if I spend x hours studying? This session will show how this can be answered using logistic regression, and how this can be implemented in R. | Rankine Building: 107 LT |
| Thu 13th Nov 11:00-12:00 | Logistic and Multinomial Regression (online repeat) | Online repeat of the above session. |
Meeting ID: 881 2509 4862 |
| Wed 19th Nov 13:00 - 14:00 |
Flexible Regression | Sometimes a linear model won’t be appropriate to model the data we have and we have to instead use a flexible yet smooth curve. The last of our sessions will show how to create a flexible regression model using the R package “mgcv”. | Rankine Building: 107 LT |
| Thu 20th Nov 11:00-12:00 | Flexible Regression (online repeat) | Online repeat of the above session. |
Meeting ID: 881 2509 4862 |
Pre-recorded Classes and Online Materials
These classes offer a mix of online materials and resources you can work through at your own pace. Some are classes held in the previous semester. All contain useful resources, including some recordings of past live classes. Check back regularly for updates.
Advanced Criticality (for Arts & Humanities and SocSci Students)
This course covers what do we mean by being critical in your academic work, a key skill in the Arts & Humanities and Social Sciences. The course introduces you to the key strategies to becoming a critical reader and writer. This course will run twice in Semester 1.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=24318
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Room No. (in-person class)/ Zoom Link (online class) |
| Tuesday 30th September | 13:00-14:00 | Critical Reading | What does it mean to be critical and how can we foster critical reading when we are researching our assignments or engaging with course materials? | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 7th October | 13:00-14:00 | Writing Critically about Literature | How can we adopt a critical attitude not only when we read but also when we write about academic literature in our assignments? | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 14th October | 13:00-14:00 | Using Theory | This class focuses on the purpose of theory in the Arts & Humanities and the Social Sciences, and how to use it in your writing to enhance criticality. | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 21st October | 13:00-14:00 | Criticality in Argumentation | What are the key elements of a critical argument and how can you make sure you include them in your writing? | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 28th October | 13:00-14:00 | Reflection | How can you use reflection as a critical tool both in your studying and in your writing? | 42 Bute Gardens: 916 LT |
| Tuesday 11th November | 13:00-14:00 | Critical Reading (repeat) | This class discusses defining the scope of your research question, critically reviewing your reading, and synthesising your research. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
| Tuesday 18th November | 13:00-14:00 | Writing Critically about Literature (repeat) | This class explains the purpose of evidence and how to employ it in your assignments. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
| Tuesday 25th November | 13:00-14:00 | Using Theory (repeat) | This class focuses on the purpose of theory in the Arts & Humanities and the Social Sciences, and how to use it in your writing. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
| Tuesday 2nd December | 13:00-14:00 | Criticality in Argumentation (repeat) | This class discusses what is argumentation, its purpose in academia, and what are some of its defining elements. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
| Tuesday 9th December | 13:00-14:00 | Reflection (repeat) | This class explores the different levels of argumentation in written assignments and how to build a coherent and cohesive argumentative piece of writing. | Online (Zoom link on course Moodle) |
Dissertation Classes: Arts & Humanities and SocSci PGT (Online)
This course walks you through the process of writing a dissertation for the Arts & Humanities or the Social Sciences. This is aimed at PGT, but all students are welcome. This course meets in person in June, then repeats online in July.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) -https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=10313
| Monday 7th July | 13:00-14:00 | Succeeding in Your Dissertation | This class introduces advanced academic research and writing approaches and tools to get you started on a successful dissertation project. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Tuesday 8th July | 13:00-14:00 | Organising Your Research | This class discusses how to work with sources for your research. It outlines different strategies to scope, critically review and map the literature or data relating to your research question. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Wednesday 9th July | 13:00-14:00 | Writing Your Literature Review | This class focuses on the literature review: what is it and what purpose serves in your dissertation. It also discusses how your literature review should link to your methodology. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Thursday 10th July | 13:00-14:00 | Using Theory and Writing About Methodology | This class discusses what is a methodology, the difference between methodology and methods, how to justify your methodological approach and using theory as a methodological tool. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Friday 11th July | 13:00-14:00 | Developing Your Dissertation's Argument | This class explains how to construct a convincing argument that successfully answers your research question. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Monday 14th July | 13:00-14:00 | Your Dissertation's Structure | This class explores how to link the different chapters of your dissertation together to ensure your thesis is coherent and cohesive. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Tuesday 15th July | 13:00-14:00 | Editing Your Dissertation | This class discusses how to effectively edit and proofread your dissertation, with tips on how to prepare the dissertation document for submission. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
| Wednesday 16th July | 13:00-14:00 | Referencing and Academic Integrity | This class introduces the principles of academic integrity and discusses how to properly reference your dissertation so that it adheres to these principles. | Online (click here to join the Zoom) |
Dissertation Writing for International Students (In-person)
This particular course will be led by the team of Effective Learning Advisers for International Students.
> Moodle page for this series (includes slides and any recordings) - https://moodle.gla.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=15181
| Date | Time | Class | Class Description | Location |
| Tuesday 24th June | 11:00-12:00 | Reading for your Dissertation | This class explores strategies for selecting and completing reading for your dissertation. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Wednesday 25th June | 11:00-12:00 | Being Critical of Literature | This class discusses how to write about academic literature in a critical and analytical way in your literature review. | Davidson Building, 208: Mian Lecture Theatre |
| Tuesday 1st July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing about Methodology | This class discusses how efffectively to plan and write the methods/methodology section in your dissertation. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Wednesday 2nd July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing about Data and Findings | This class discusses writing about data and findings in your dissertation and osme elements of presenting data in graphs and figures. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Tuesday 8th July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Discussion Chapter | This class explores the aims and writing of the discussion section/analytical sections in your dissertation. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Wednesday 9th July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing an Introduction Chapter | This class discusses dissertation introductions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Tuesday 15th July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Conclusion Chapter | This class explores dissertation conclusions, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
| Wednesday 16th July | 11:00-12:00 | Writing a Dissertation Abstract | This class discusses dissertation abstracts, including the aims, what to include, and what academic markers will expect. | Davidson Building, 208: Main Lecture Theatre |
Appointments
Undergraduate and PGT students can make an appointment with one of the advising team (GUID required). The booking diary shows appointments available in the next 21 days only.
All appointments will take place online.
Dr Robyne Calvert
Robyne Calvert is the Effective Learning Adviser for the College of Arts and Humanities. Robyne has a PhD in the History of Art, and has researched and lectured in art, architecture and design history and theory at the University of Glasgow and The Glasgow School of Art for over a decade. She has supervised many UG and PGT dissertations, and has also been a primary PhD supervisor.
Teaching Requests
Robyne is keen to develop teaching collaborations across all courses in Arts & Humanities. To find out what teaching she can offer on your course, get in touch by email.
Research and Teaching
As a Cultural Historian, Robyne's research and teaching interests span a wide range of topics, including: art, architecture, design, fashion, heritage and museum studies, digital and material culture, critical and creative writing, and academic literacies. She received a Pasold Fund PhD bursary for her thesis 'Fashioning the Artist: Artistic Dress in Victorian Britain, 1848-1900' (University of Glasgow, 2012). She is an active public historian, has been an expert on BBC radio, television, and STV programmes, and most recently has been featured on the National Trust for Scotland’s 'Love Scotland' podcast with Jackie Bird. Her monograph, 'The Mack: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and The Glasgow School of Art' (Yale University Press, 2024), won the Society of Architectural Historians GB Alice Davis Hitchcock Medallion for an 'outstanding contribution to the study or knowledge of architectural history'.
Staff A-Z entry and publications
Room 316
McMillan Reading Room
University Avenue
University of Glasgow
G12 8QQ