Writing and Research Workshops - Fall 2023
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
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) Friday, September 29th, 12:30-1:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1381822
2) Tuesday, October 3rd, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1381823
Public Speaking in Academia
Adriana Mendez Leal, Psychology, Writing Consultant
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.
Thursday, October 19th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386151
Writing the Personal Statement
Jackie Davis, World Arts & Cultures, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, 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.
1) Tuesday, October 24th, 5:15-6:15 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386153
2) Thursday, October 26th, 5:15-6:15 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386157
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) Wednesday, October 25th, 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386155
2) Friday, November 3rd, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1387404
3) Wednesday, November 8th, 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1387405
4) Friday, November 17th, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1387408
Humanities Writing Workshops
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Lika Balenovic, Comparative Literature, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jackie Davis, World Arts & Cultures, Graduate Writing Consultant
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Wende Arce, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
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.
Friday, October 13th, 12:30-2:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386139
Social Sciences Writing Workshops
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Lika Balenovic, Comparative Literature, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jackie Davis, World Arts & Cultures, Graduate Writing Consultant
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Wende Arce, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
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.
Friday, October 13th, 12:30-2:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386139
Science and Engineering Writing Workshops
Applying for the NIH Training Fellowship
Caroline Diehl, NIH NRSA Recipient, Writing 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.
Thursday, September 28th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1327827
Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Leezet Matos, NSF Recipient, Graduate Writing Consultant
Marie Payne, NSF Recipient, Graduate Writing Consultant
Dominique Stumbaugh, NSF Honorary Mention, Graduate Writing Consultant
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.
Thursday, October 5th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1381824
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus)
McKenna Davis, NSF and NASA Space Grant Recipient, Graduate Writing Consultant
Adriana Mendez Leal, NSF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Ross Fenimore, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
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.
Wednesday, October 11th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386137
Organizing and Managing Larger Projects (STEM focus)
McKenna Davis, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate Writing Consultant
Aidan Howenstine, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Adriana Mendez Leal, Psychology, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
This workshop will give an overview of how to organize and manage large scale writing projects in STEM and related fields.
Thursday, November 2nd, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1387402
Strategies for Writing Effective Scientific Papers
Marilyn Gray, Graduate Writing Center Director
Aidan Howenstine, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Center 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.
Wednesday, November 8th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1387406
Creating Effective Figures and Visual Aids for Conference Presentations and Publications
McKenna Davis, 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.
Thursday, November 16th, 5:15-6:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1387409
ESL Workshops
Writing Strategies for International Students
Amelia Ino, Comparative Literature, Graduate Writing Consultant
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 17th, 5:15-6:15 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386145
Workshops on Writing Grants and Fellowships
Applying for the NIH Training Fellowship
Caroline Diehl, NIH NRSA Recipient, Writing 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.
Thursday, September 28th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1327827
Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Leezet Matos, NSF Recipient, Graduate Writing Consultant
Marie Payne, NSF Recipient, Graduate Writing Consultant
Dominique Stumbaugh, NSF Honorary Mention, Graduate Writing Consultant
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.
Thursday, October 5th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1381824
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus)
McKenna Davis, NSF and NASA Space Grant Recipient, Graduate Writing Consultant
Adriana Mendez Leal, NSF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Ross Fenimore, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
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.
Wednesday, October 11th, 5:15-6:45 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386137
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Lika Balenovic, Comparative Literature, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jackie Davis, World Arts & Cultures, Graduate Writing Consultant
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Wende Arce, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
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.
Friday, October 13th, 12:30-2:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive a Zoom invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1386139
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.