Rate My Professor Nick Baker

Dr. Nick Baker is the Senior Professional Practice Fellow at the Graduate Research School, University of Otago, where he is responsible for researcher development and oversees and facilitates the Graduate Research School workshop programme. He earned his PhD from the Higher Education Development Centre at the University of Otago in 2022, with a thesis titled "Writing identities of prolific research writers." This research examines the writing identities and behaviours of prolific research writers. Baker has published his findings in peer-reviewed journals, including "Enabling writing behaviours of successful professors" in Innovations in Education and Teaching International (2023), which details strategies employed by successful academics to maintain productive writing habits. His work focuses on academic writing behaviours, identities, and researcher development.

In his current role, Baker leads and facilitates professional development for doctoral and master's by thesis candidates. He is the lead developer and facilitator of the self-paced PhD Induction online course (GRS_RD1), comprising six core modules and monthly Touchpoint sessions, alongside Professor Rachel Spronken-Smith and invited guests. Drawing on his PhD research, he delivers the five-part Writing Habits workshop series, addressing writing fundamentals, mindset, behaviours, enabling practices, and feedback in research settings. He also facilitates workshops such as "Identifying key support for your research journey" and the "Preparing for the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT®) information session." Baker serves as a judge for Sciences Divisional 3MT heats and is a member of the Graduate Research Student Liaison Committee. His contributions enhance writing productivity, skills, strategies, and support networks for postgraduate researchers throughout their thesis journeys and careers.