The Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife hosted an enriching academic writing workshop specifically designed for early career researchers. This comprehensive program aimed to enhance the academic writing and literature synthesis skills of these emerging scholars. By leveraging the CARTA approach, this series of workshops aim to facilitate the co-creation of knowledge and consistent deliverables, ultimately leading to scholarly outputs. The first in the series of workshops took place on the 3^rd and 4^th of July 2024.

The workshop kicked off with a strong focus on the fundamentals of academic writing, covering the principles and significance of this essential skill. Participants delved into critical thinking and writing skills, understanding how to construct coherent arguments and effectively analyze information. Participants also learnt about the pedagogical approach and how this method enhances learning. The workshop used the CARTA Curriculum, emphasizing the wealth of resources on the CARTA platform and encouraging participants to use this platform.

Interactive activities also helped with participants analyzing a sample of academic papers to evaluate their structure and quality. This hands-on approach culminated in an assignment where participants outlined the structure of their own research papers, reinforcing their learning. One of the key focus of the training was mastering literature search strategies. Participants learned effective techniques for conducting comprehensive literature searches, including the use of AI to refine these processes. Practical search exercises using databases such as HINARI, OARES, PubMed, Semantic Scholar, and Google Scholar enabled participants to apply these strategies to their research topics.

The workshop also covered literature review techniques, guiding participants through the process of compiling and synthesizing literature into a coherent review. Writing exercises further honed their skills, while lectures on concepts and conceptual frameworks helped them articulate these crucial elements in their research.

Structured text development was another focal point, where participants practiced creating appropriate titles, headings, and sub-headings for their literature reviews. This comprehensive approach ensured that participants were well-equipped to produce high-quality academic writing.

The workshop concluded with a recap of the key points covered and a discussion on the next steps, encouraging participants to continue developing their academic writing skills. Overall, this workshop aimed to equip ECRs at OAU with essential skills, fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment to enhance their research capabilities.