? Do you feel a little lost about where to begin with your reading?
? Have you wished for an easier way to keep your references in order?
? Do journal names and databases sound overwhelming right now?
? Do you hope writing could feel less stressful — maybe even enjoyable?
👉 If you nodded “yes” to any of these, the First Mile programme is for you. It’s about making your research start lighter, smoother, and filled with your first smiles along the way.
in Research
Don’t just wander aimlessly in the first year of your research journey. Take the right first steps and enjoy a solid take-off.
The First Mile programme is structured and guided and helps you achieve this goal.
Each month, you complete one clear task – a task that will bring clarity, confidence and, yes, your first smiles in your PhD journey.
Months of structured guidance
Core topics across research, writing, and publishing
hours of live/recorded sessions
Who should attend?
- PhD scholars in their first year
- Faculty members or early-career researchers who want to establish thorough fundamentals
What will you learn?
- To be in the right platforms to enhance your research quality
- To use reference managers effectively for a great literature survey
- To collect and organize literature so that your research journey starts in the right direction
- To understand the publication ecosystem
- To analyse a journal as you set out to publish your paper later
What's covered in the FIRST MILE
Foundations and identity
Becoming successful in research
Practical strategies to plan, conduct, and publish impactful work while avoiding common pitfalls.
Setting up the system
Build your research identity by creating professional profiles and mastering Zotero for reference management.
Navigating literature
Understanding databases
Use Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and DOAJ to find credible sources and boost visibility.
Literature collection
Apply the 3P framework and keep a RoL diary to organize your reading effectively.
Making the best out of literature survey
Track journals and researchers, set up alerts, and align your work with current trends.
Writing and publishing
Initiating the writing practice
Build a consistent writing habit, overcome blocks, and draft with clarity and confidence.
The journal publication workflow
Demystify peer review, understand reviewer expectations, and improve your chances of acceptance.
Understanding publication models
Compare subscription and open access options, and learn to avoid predatory publishers.
Assessing a journal
Learn to evaluate journal reputation and suitability so your work reaches the right audience.
How FIRST MILE works
By the end of the year, you won’t just know about research foundations — you’ll have them in place.
Each month, you take up one clear task.
You explore why it matters and how to apply it.
You carry out a specific action — like registering on academic platforms, setting up Zotero, or evaluating a target journal.
You build the complete foundation for your PhD – one task at a time.
Dig deeper
Explore these posts for more insights.
Where to publish: subscription journals vs open access journals
In our previous article, we provided an overview of the different publishing models. As a quick recall, there are four types of journals: subscription journals, the traditional/conventional model, open access journals, where the publication charges are borne by the...
Types of Journals based on Access
Academic journals can be classified based on access to the reader. While subscription journals expect the reader to pay for their content, open access journals are free for the reader. While these two types of journals are complementary, hybrid journals provide...
Gray publishing: a greater threat to research
The issue of predatory journals and low-quality publications, often called “gray publications,” is a significant concern in the academic and research community. While predatory journals are a well-recognized problem, gray publications can be even more insidious in...
Read more FIRST MILE articles here...
Why FIRST MILE matters
Avoid wasted time on scattered reading and guesswork.
Gain confidence in using databases and journals.
Establish writing as a regular, low-stress practice.
Be fully prepared for the next stage: academic writing fundamentals.
FAQ
What if I miss a month?
Don’t worry. Each session is recorded, and you can catch up at your own pace.
How much time will this take alongside coursework?
About 3–4 hours a month — enough to learn and act, without overloading you.
Do I need prior writing or publishing experience?
No. The First Mile is designed for beginners.
Will I be writing my thesis in the first year?
Not yet. Here you focus on building systems and starting with small, low-pressure writing tasks.
To know more,
Join us for a free introductory webinar in Tamil/English