Writing and Research Workshops - Summer 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 summer 2021 workshops will be conducted remotely.

Past Workshops

Workshop Videos

General Workshops

UCLA IRB Review: Policy and Procedures
Tiffany Rose & Anya Rosensteel, UCLA Office of the Human Research Protections Program (OHRPP)
This workshop will provide an overview of the UCLA IRB application process and related policies and procedures.
Thursday, July 8th, 2:00-3:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772101

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) Friday, July 9th, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (with one hour lunch break)
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772221

2) Friday, July 23rd, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772226

3) Friday, July 30th, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772229

4) Friday, August 6th, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772231

5) Saturday, August 7th, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM (with one hour lunch break)
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772233

6) Friday, August 13th, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772234

Writing the Personal Statement
Michelle Luna, 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, August 12th, 5:00-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/785357

Humanities & Social Sciences Writing Workshops

Strategies for Writing About Statistics
Christine Wells, UCLA Statistical Consulting Group
This workshop will provide tips for reporting commonly-used statistical methods, such as ordinary least squares (OLS) regression, including what to report and how to report it. The workshop will also provide general information how to state conclusions, the use of p-values, and common mistakes to avoid.
Wednesday, July 14th, 12:45-1:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772236

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Social Science Focus)
Estefania Castaneda Perez, Political Science, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Kalani Heinz, Anthropology, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Shannon Yu, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
This workshop will discuss strategies for applying for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship with a social science focus. 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, August 19th, 5:00-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/788319

Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Jesslyn Whittell, English, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Cherie Francis, 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.
Tuesday, August 31st, 4:00-5:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/789063

Science and Engineering Writing Workshop

Strategies for Writing Scientific Papers
Janine Fu, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
This workshop will focus on strategies for self-editing, structure, and style in scientific writing. It will also address strategies for improving flow, clarity, and conciseness, as well as general tips for healthy writing.
Monday, July 12th, 12:45-1:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772235

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Physical Science Focus)
Rob Ulrich, Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Janine Fu, Earth, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Zoe Pierrat, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Cherie Francis, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
This workshop will discuss strategies for applying for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship with a physical science focus. 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, August 10th, 5:00-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/785366

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Life Science Focus)
Adriana Mendez Leal, Psychology, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Shannon Yu, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
This workshop will discuss strategies for applying for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship with a life science focus. 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.
Wednesday, August 18th, 5:00-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/788306

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Engineering Focus)
McKenna Davis, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Shannon Yu, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
This workshop will discuss strategies for applying for the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship with an engineering focus. 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, August 26th, 5:00-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/789060

Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus)
Rob Ulrich, Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Zoe Pierrat, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Cherie Francis, 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.
Friday, September 10th, 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/789061

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

ESL Workshops

Self-Editing Strategies for Non-Native Speakers of English
Abraham Encinas, English, Writing Consultant
This workshop will provide concrete strategies and online tools to enable non-native speakers of English to improve their writing and editing process, check grammatical issues, make appropriate vocabulary choices and approach issues like article and preposition usage in their own writing projects.
Tuesday, July 20th, 4:00-5:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772244

Grants/Fellowships Workshops

Writing the Fulbright U.S. Fellowship Application
Hannah Carlan, Fulbright Recipient, Writing Consultant
Shannon Yu, Graduate Division Fellowship Services
This workshop will cover strategies for writing the Fulbright U.S. fellowship application. We will discuss the structure and content of key documents using examples. We will address writing tips for fellowship applications as well as specific advice for this Fulbright fellowship.
Wednesday, July 14th, 2:00-3:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/772248

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Various Workshop Presenters
We will offer a series of NSF targeted workshops. 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.

1) NSF GRF (General)
Thursday, July 29th, 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/772250

2) NSF GRF (Physical Sciences Focus)
Tuesday, August 10th, 5:00-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/785366

3) NSF GRF (Life Science Focus)
Wednesday, August 18th, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/788306

4) NSF GRF (Social Science Focus)
Thursday, August 19th, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/788319

5) NSF GRF (Engineering Focus)
Thursday, August 26th, 5:00-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/events/789060

Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus)
Rob Ulrich, Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, NSF GRF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Zoe Pierrat, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, NSF GRF Recipient, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Cherie Francis, 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.
Friday, September 10th, 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/789061

Applying for the NIH Training Fellowship
Caroline Diehl, NIH NRSA Recipient, 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

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.