Writing and Research Workshops - Fall 2021

The Graduate Writing Center offers a wide variety of writing workshops, ranging from general to more specialized topics, such as academic genres, writing in certain disciplinary areas, or writing English as a Second Language. We also provide information on workshops and services from selected campus offices that provide assistance with research, data management, and data analysis. Special thanks to our campus programming partners: the UCLA Library, Writing Programs, the Institute for Digital Research and Education, Counseling and Psychological Services, and the Career Center.

All Fall 2021 workshops will be conducted remotely.

Past Workshops

Workshop Videos

General Workshops

Strategic Reading
Drew Fleshman, Comparative Literature, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Jesslyn Whittell, English, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Feeling overwhelmed by your reading lists? Concerned that you are missing the point of what you have just read? Are you taking pages of notes for every article you read? This workshop will cover effective reading and note-taking strategies so that you read more efficiently, assess your reading with a critical eye, and annotate each work so that important concepts are easily accessible. Note: This workshop does not teach speed-reading techniques.
1) Wednesday, September 29th, 5:15-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820211
2) Thursday, September 30th, 5:15-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820212

Time Management for Writing
Michelle Luna, Psychology, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
In this workshop, we will discuss effective strategies for goal setting and time management as they relate to research and writing projects, especially the writing component. We will also address some approaches to working effectively from home.
Thursday, October 21st, 5:15-6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820214

Writing the Personal Statement
Caroline Diehl, Psychology, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
This workshop will cover strategies for writing personal statements for fellowship applications, residencies, and PhD programs. Among other topics, we will discuss organization, introductions and conclusions, and use of examples. Students from all schools and departments are welcome to attend. If you are currently working on a personal statement, we encourage you to bring your draft to the workshop.
Thursday, October 28th, 5:15-6:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820217

Introduction to Writing a Literature Review
Marilyn Gray, Graduate Writing Center Director
This workshop will cover strategies and best practices for writing a literature review, including note-taking strategies, writing process issues, and common organizational patterns. The workshop focus will be on literature reviews for original research projects but will be generally applicable to all literature reviews.
Tuesday, November 9th, 5:15-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820224

Mindful Writing Retreat Sessions (Half-Day, 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) Friday, November 19th, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation:https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/887809

2) Friday, December 3rd, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation:https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/887811

Humanities Writing Workshops

Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Estefania Castaneda Perez, Political Science, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Jesslyn Whittell, English, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Cherie Francis, UCLA Graduate Division
This workshop will first briefly review funding opportunities for graduate students in humanities, social sciences, and related fields. The workshop will then focus on strategies for writing effective applications for grants and fellowships to support graduate study and research, especially for students seeking doctorates and research MAs. We will also cover tips for organizing the application process.
Thursday, October 7th, 5:15-6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820226

Social Sciences Writing Workshops

Science and Engineering Writing Workshops

Applying for the NIH Training Fellowship
Caroline Diehl, Psychology, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
This workshop will cover the application process and required components of an NIH NRSA application. We will discuss preparation, documents required, and writing strategies for the F31, but the F30 and F32 are very similar. We will also address how to find appropriate materials/resources for a complete application.
Friday, September 24th, 12:00-1:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/785370

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Adriana Mendez Leal, NSF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Janine Fu, NSF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Cherie Francis, UCLA Graduate Division
The workshop will discuss strategies for applying for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. This highly competitive fellowship provides three years of fellowship funding to successful applicants. The workshop will focus on the intellectual merit and broader impacts criteria for NSF grants, the structure of the research proposal and personal statement, suggestions for writing style, and tips for Fastlane submission.
Tuesday, September 28th, 5:15-6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820231

Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus)
Rob Ulrich, NSF GRF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Zoe Pierrat, NSF GRF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Cherie Francis, UCLA Graduate Division
This workshop will first briefly review funding opportunities for graduate students in STEM fields. The workshop will then focus on strategies for writing effective applications for grants and fellowships to support graduate study and research, especially for students seeking doctorates and research MAs. The workshop will also cover tips for organizing the application process.
Friday, October 1st, 12-1:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820227

Creating Effective Figures and Visual Aids for Conference Presentations and Publications
Rob Ulrich, Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Zoe Pierrat, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Graduate Writing Center 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.
Thursday, November 4th, 5:15-6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820222

Practical Tips for Writing a Scientific Paper
Janine Fu, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
This workshop will cover the basics of how to plan for, prepare, and organize science-specific writing, including term papers, manuscripts and abstracts. We will also cover style, common structure, active versus passive voice, and first pronoun versus third pronoun usage. We will offer tips for avoiding problems such as excess jargon and ambiguously stated hypotheses.
Thursday, November 18th, 5:15-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820228

ESL Workshops

Writing Strategies for International Students
Marilyn Gray, Graduate Writing Center Director
This workshop covers specifics of English communication in academic and professional settings with an emphasis on resources and self-editing skills for second language writers. We will discuss expectations for citation in the U.S. and ways to avoid plagiarism. We will address email etiquette in academic and professional communication. We will also discuss strategies and resources for improving English grammar, word choice, and style.
Tuesday, October 5th, 5:15-6:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820229

Workshops on Writing Grants and Fellowships

Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Science and Engineering Focus)
Rob Ulrich, NSF GRF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Zoe Pierrat, NSF GRF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Cherie Francis, UCLA Graduate Division
This workshop will first briefly review funding opportunities for graduate students in sciences and engineering. The workshop will then focus on strategies for writing effective applications for grants and fellowships to support graduate study and research, especially for students seeking doctorates and research MAs. The workshop will also cover tips for organizing the application process.
Friday, October 1st, 12-1:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/820227

Applying to the Ford Fellowship
Alana de Hinojosa, Chicana/o and Central American Studies, Graduate Writing Consultant
Estefania Castaneda Perez, Political Science, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jaime de Anda, Bioengineering, Graduate Writing Consultant
Kimberly Miranda, Chicana/o and Central American Studies, Graduate Writing Consultant
Kalani Heinz, Archeology, Graduate Writing Consultant
This workshop will cover the nuts and bolts of the three Ford Foundation Fellowships: the Predoctoral Fellowship, the Doctoral Fellowship, and the Postdoctoral Fellowship. We will review the overall mission of the Ford Foundation and discuss how applicants can approach the application documents (personal statement, past research statement, research proposal, etc) to address this mission. Discussion will include a brief roundtable with GWC Writing Consultants across the hard and social sciences who are recipients of Ford Foundation Fellowships.
Tuesday, October 12th, 5:15-6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation:https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/843624

Writing the Fulbright-Hays Fellowship Application
Marilyn Gray, Graduate Writing Center Director
Ross Fenimore, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
This workshop will cover strategies for writing the Fulbright Hays fellowship application. We will discuss the structure and content of key documents using examples. We will cover writing tips for fellowship applications as well as specific advice for the Fulbright-Hays.
Friday, December 10th, 12:00-1:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://app.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/911320

Statistical Software Workshops and Consultation

For walk-in consulting information, Stat books for loan, and the most up-to-date listing of seminars, please see the Statistical Consulting Services web page of the Institute for Digital Research and Education.

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.