Writing and Research Workshops - Spring 2025
The Graduate Writing Center offers a wide variety of writing workshops, ranging from general to more specialized topics. We also provide information on selected campus offices that provide assistance with research, data management, and data analysis.
All workshops are conducted on Zoom unless otherwise noted.
General Workshops
Project Organization for Writing
Marilyn Gray, Graduate Writing Center Director
In this workshop, we will discuss how to set up an organized system for a large-scale research and writing project, especially the writing components.
Time Details: Monday, March 24th, 9:00-10:00 AM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Time Management and Productivity Tips for Writing
Marilyn Gray, Graduate Writing Center Director
In this workshop, we will discuss effective strategies for time management, goal setting, and productivity when conducting large-scale research and writing projects, especially for the writing components.
Time Details: Tuesday, March 25th, 9:00-10:00 AM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Revision Workshop: Strategies for Revising Longer Texts
Abraham Encinas, English
This hands-on workshop will provide people with revision strategies for longer texts, such as master’s theses, dissertation chapters or proposals. Please bring a hard copy of your own work—at least 15-20 double-spaced pages (more is fine). After the workshop, light refreshments will be provided. We will then have an open writing session until 7 PM.
Time Details: Tuesday, April 8th, 3:00-4:30 PM
Location (IN PERSON): Conference Room 4, Student Activities Center (basement level)
RSVP on Handshake (so we know how much food to order)
Writing a Literature Review (Introduction and Overview)
Marilyn Gray, Graduate Writing Center Director
This workshop will describe literature reviews across multiple contexts and genres. The workshop will also cover strategies and best practices for note-taking, preparatory steps, writing process issues, and organization.
Time Details: Tuesday, April 15th, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Strategies for Writing Longer Literature Reviews
Marilyn Gray, Graduate Writing Center Director
This workshop will cover strategies for writing longer literature reviews for theses, dissertations, proposals, and review papers. The workshop will also address organizational approaches and writing process issues.
Time Details: Wednesday, April 16th, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Public Speaking in Academia
Harmeet Kalsi, Education, Writing Consultant
Dominique Stumbaugh, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
This workshop introduces the genres of public speaking in academia, ranging from teaching lectures to conference papers to job talks. The workshop includes suggested strategies as well as hands-on practice.
Time Details: Wednesday, May 7th, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Expanding Your Audience: How to Publish Outside Academia
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jessie Stoolman, Anthropology, Writing Consultant
Dominique Stumbaugh, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Where can your writing and research interests go beyond a field-specific journal article or academic conference presentation? Writing for non-academic publications offers graduate students the opportunity to flex their creative muscles and develop a broader audience for their work. This workshop will help orient students within the world of non-academic writing, providing guidance on where to publish, how to translate complex ideas for a general audience and strategies for writing a pitch letter to a non-academic publication.
Time Details: Thursday, May 15th, 4:00-5:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Dissertation 101
Marilyn Gray, Director, Graduate Writing Center
This workshop will give an overview of the dissertation requirement in terms of structure, process, and role in one's career trajectory. The workshop will address the dissertation from multiple angles to deepen attendees' understanding of decisions and choices around the planning and execution of the dissertation.
Time Details: Wednesday, May 21st, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Mindful Writing Retreat Sessions (Online)
Marilyn Gray, Director, Graduate Writing Center
The mindful writing retreat will integrate simple techniques from mindfulness to support the writing process and cultivate an approach to writing that fosters balance, self-care, and well-being. Please bring a current writing project because much of the retreat time will be allocated for writing. All sessions will be conducted remotely via zoom.
1) Wednesday, April 23rd, 1:30-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
2) Wednesday, April 30th, 1:30-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
3) Friday, May 9th, 1:30-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
4) Friday, May 16th, 1:30-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Humanities Writing Workshops
An Introduction to Publishing Journal Articles (Qualitative, Humanities Focus)
Abraham Encinas, English
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jessie Stoolman, Anthropology, Writing Consultant
Thinking about preparing an article manuscript for submission? This workshop will focus on the aspects of the process of getting an article published that most differ from other graduate writing projects, such as selecting appropriate journals and interacting with editors. We will also discuss strategies for revising articles for a target journal.
Time Details: Tuesday, April 29th, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Getting Started on the Dissertation (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Related Fields)
Marilyn Gray, Director, Graduate Writing Center
This workshop gives an overview of organization, time management, writing process issues and writing strategies. Recommended for people in the early stages of the dissertation, but useful for all stages.
Time Details:Thursday, May 22nd, 5:15-6:30
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Social Sciences Writing Workshops
An Introduction to Publishing Journal Articles (Sciences and Social Sciences Focus)
Leezet Matos, Psychology, Writing Consultant
Marie Payne, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate Writing Consultant
Xochitl Ortiz Ross, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Thinking about preparing an article manuscript for submission? This workshop will focus on the aspects of the process of getting an article published that most differ from other graduate writing projects, such as selecting appropriate journals and interacting with editors. We will also discuss strategies for revising articles for a target journal.
Time Details: Thursday, April 24th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
An Introduction to Publishing Journal Articles (Qualitative, Humanities Focus)
Abraham Encinas, English
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jessie Stoolman, Anthropology, Writing Consultant
Thinking about preparing an article manuscript for submission? This workshop will focus on the aspects of the process of getting an article published that most differ from other graduate writing projects, such as selecting appropriate journals and interacting with editors. We will also discuss strategies for revising articles for a target journal.
Time Details: Tuesday, April 29th, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Getting Started on the Dissertation (Humanities, Social Sciences, and Related Fields)
Marilyn Gray, Director, Graduate Writing Center
This workshop gives an overview of organization, time management, writing process issues and writing strategies. Recommended for people in the early stages of the dissertation, but useful for all stages.
Time Details:Thursday, May 22nd, 5:15-6:30
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Science and Engineering Writing Workshops
Strategies for Writing Effective Scientific Papers
Aidan Howenstine, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
This workshop will address basic principles for writing scientific papers and offer strategies for avoiding common pitfalls. We will also introduce key points from Joshua Schimel's book Writing Scienceon developing good narrative structure and clarity to make writing engaging and impactful.
Time Details: Monday, March 24th, 1:00-2:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Creating Effective Figures and Visuals for Conference Presentations and Publications
Marie Payne, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate Writing Consultant
This workshop focuses on strategies for designing effective figures and visual materials for conference presentations, publications, and other contexts. The workshop will also introduce different software packages that can be used to create high-quality figures and offer further resources for learning these programs.
Time Details: Tuesday, March 25th, 1:00-2:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Thesis and Dissertation Writing in STEM Fields (Final Stages)
Marilyn Gray, Director, Graduate Writing Center
This workshop will give an overview of the final components and writing stages of a STEM thesis or dissertation.
Time Details: Wednesday, March 26th, 1:00-2:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
An Introduction to Publishing Journal Articles (Sciences and Social Sciences Focus)
Leezet Matos, Psychology, Writing Consultant
Marie Payne, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate Writing Consultant
Xochitl Ortiz Ross, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Thinking about preparing an article manuscript for submission? This workshop will focus on the aspects of the process of getting an article published that most differ from other graduate writing projects, such as selecting appropriate journals and interacting with editors. We will also discuss strategies for revising articles for a target journal.
Time Details: Thursday, April 24th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
ESL Workshops
See our online workshops for multilingual writers at this link.
Grants/Fellowships Workshops
Telling Your New American Story: Applying to the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans
Janel Pineda, 2023 Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow, Writing Consultant
This workshop will provide guidance on preparing a competitive application for the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans (https://www.pdsoros.org/), which provides up to $90K in support for graduate students from migrant backgrounds. Specifically, this workshop will focus on writing strategies for telling your New American story in a compelling, creative, and empowering way. We will brainstorm and begin drafting application components during the session. Although the application is not due until October 2025, we recommend getting started on your application essays well in advance, to allow for multiple drafts and revision.
Time Details: Thursday, May 29th, 6:00-7:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information
Statistical Support and Consultation
For support with statistics, please see the statistical support website of the Office of Advanced Research and Computing. Graduate students are eligible for (remote) statistical consulting services on theses, dissertations, and journal publications (projects that are not coursework).
Research Workshops at the Library
To see the most complete, current schedule of UCLA Library advanced research workshops, consult the UCLA Library research workshop page.
Research Guides
Online research guides link to key resources and reference books for certain courses and disciplines. Subject guides, course guides, and general research guides are available.
Research Appointments
Graduate students are encouraged to contact the Library's subject specialists for more specialized and personalized assistance with research, library resources, and subject databases; find a complete list of all subject specialists here.
Copyright Questions
Contact the Library's copyright experts for assistance with copyright, publishing, intellectual property, and other related issues at copyright@library.ucla.edu.