Previously known as Bite-Sized Library Workshops, the newly revamped Skill Myself Up Library Workshops are here!
Join librarians and other campus partners such as the Student Success Centre and Faculties from 25 August to 26 September to learn more about research skills, database searching, working with data, writing persuasively and presenting confidently, holistic development tips and many other topics.
Based on generous feedback from the SMU community, we have also made the following updates:
🔍 Find the Right Fit
Our workshops have been categorized according to revised subject labels,
and we've also introduced complexity labels. So finding something that you find relevant and helpful just became easier.
🏅 Flex What You Learn
We've offered workshops that have been bundled into distinct series before.
But this time around, we're also awarding digital badges if you complete a set number of workshops in selected workshop series.
Highlights
[NEW] Code-free Data Science and Analytics Series
with Assoc Prof. Kam Tin Seong
School of Computing and Information Systems
Free and Open-Source (FOSS) code-free tools like jamovi and Orange offer graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with drag-and-drop functionality, simplifying data integration, preparation, and wrangling without requiring SQL. These tools also democratise data science exploration and provide access to advanced analytics capabilities for students and research scientists without programming skills.
In this four-part workshop series, you will enhance your data science and analytics skills to support your research needs without spending hours learning to code.
[NEW] Python 101 Series
with Dong Danping, Senior Librarian, Research & Data Services
and Bella Ratmelia, Senior Librarian, Research and Data Services
Designed for learners at all levels, this series provides a hands-on introduction to Python programming — from the basics of variables and loops to real-world data analysis with libraries like Pandas and Polars. We’ll also explore advanced topics such as topic modeling with BERTopic, a powerful tool for analyzing text data.
Complete any 3 workshops in this series to earn a digital badge for your LinkedIn profile!
[NEW] Research Ready Series
with Xia Wei, Principal Librarian,
Melody Chin, Sumita Govindan, & Samantha Lim, Senior Librarians,
and Li Zhenyan, Librarian, Instruction & Learning Services
Struggling with assignments or research projects? The Research Ready workshops are here to help! Through a series of engaging, hands-on sessions, you’ll learn smart ways to generate research ideas, search effectively, navigate business databases, and evaluate online information.
Complete any 3 workshops to earn a "Research Ready" digital badge for your LinkedIn profile!
[NEW] Trapped in the Feed: Echo Chambers, Filter Bubbles, and You
with Thanusha Raj, Student Success Centre
Algorithms quietly shape not just what we see, but how we see the world. This interactive workshop will help participants uncover how echo chambers and filter bubbles shape their social media feeds, and their sense of reality.
Through hands-on activities, critical discussions, and a dialogue session with Rice Media, they will explore how content is curated, why it matters, and how to take back control. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of how their feeds are shaped, how this affects their worldview, and how to diversify their media diets with intention.
[NEW] Academic Integrity & Responsible Use of Information
with Nazimah Ram Nath, Principal Librarian, Instruction & Learning Services
Rajendra Munoo, Advisor, Instruction & Learning Services
and Julyn Kang, Senior Teaching Fellow, Student Success Centre
Curious about how to use information responsibly in your assignments? This workshop will guide you through the essentials—how to avoid plagiarism, cite sources correctly, and understand copyright rules when working with both traditional and AI-generated content. You’ll also hear practical advice on common academic integrity issues, what happens when standards are breached, and how to stay on track with best practices.
[NEW] Bibliometrics and Research Impact 101
with Aaron Tay, Head Data Services, Research & Data Services
Curious about what all those research metrics really mean—and when (or whether) you should care? This 90‑minute workshop is a practical, jargon-light introduction to the world of bibliometrics and citation indicators, designed especially for researchers who want to make sense of the numbers often found in dashboards, grant reports, or journal rankings.
We’ll walk through the big ones—think citation counts, Journal Impact Factor, h‑index, field‑normalized scores, and altmetrics—and unpack what they actually measure (and just as importantly, what they don’t). We’ll also touch lightly on emerging signals of broader impact like policy citations, mentions in patents, or appearances in course syllabi—just enough to know what’s out there without going down the rabbit hole.
[NEW] Why the First $100K Is the Hardest — and the Most Important
with Justin Kan, SMU JD Candidate and Director of Sales
and Lionel Sing, Team Manager, Dato' Kho Hui Meng Career Centre
How young professionals can build early financial momentum through budgeting, risk management, and simple investment strategies.
- This session will cover:
- The Psychology of the First $100K
- Cash Budgeting
- Risk Management
- Portfolio Building
- Design Your Own $100K Financial Plan
Visit the Bite-Sized Library Workshops for more details of over 40 workshops.
