Writing and Research Workshops - Summer 2022

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.

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 14th, 4:00-5:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1052586

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, July 20th, 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061138

2) Friday, July 22nd, 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061192

3) Monday, July 25th, 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061354

4) Wednesday, July 27th, 1:30 PM-4:00 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061355

5) Thursday, August 11th, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1072368

6) Wednesday, August 17th, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation:https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1072405

7) Wednesday, August 24th, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation:https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1072413

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.
Tuesday, August 9th, 6:00-7:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1057304

Navigating Graduate School: Academic Success Strategies for First-Generation College Students
Kimberly Miranda, Chicana/o and Central American Studies, Graduate Writing Consultant
This workshop will provide useful strategies for navigating graduate school successfully. We will focus on tips and tricks that will help you succeed, as well as elucidate aspects of the "hidden curriculum," or things you're expected to know but not explicitly taught. We will cover a broad spectrum of topics such as managing writing requirements, using organizational tools to stay on track, communicating effectively with mentors to meet your needs, and networking at conferences to build professional relationships.
Thursday, August 24th, 5:15-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation:

Humanities & Social Sciences Writing Workshops

Strategies for Writing About Statistics
Caroline Diehl, Psychology, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
This workshop will review how to report a variety of statistical findings in writing, including results from ANOVAs, linear and logistic regression, and t tests, as well as how to use APA formatting for statistics. We will also discuss how to present statistical findings clearly and accurately when writing results and discussion sections.
Thursday, July 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/edu/events/1061356

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Social Science Focus)
Estefania Castaneda Perez, Political Science, Graduate Writing Consultant
Kalani Heinz, Anthropology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Lois Bang, 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 18th, 4:00-5:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061357

Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Lika Balenovic, Comparative Literature, Graduate Writing Consultant
Estefania Castaneda Perez, Political Science, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jesslyn Whittell, English, Graduate Writing Consultant
Ross Fenimore, 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.
Wednesday, September 7th, 4:00-5:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061359

Science and Engineering Writing Workshops

Strategies for Writing Scientific Papers
McKenna Davis, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Zoe Pierrat, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, 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.
Tuesday, July 12th, 12:45-1:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely. RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1055403

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Physical Science Focus)
Rob Ulrich, Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Zoe Pierrat, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Lois Bang, 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.
Wednesday, August 10th, 4:00-5:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061361

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Engineering Focus)
McKenna Davis, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate Writing Consultant
Lois Bang, 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.
Wednesday, August 24th, 5:15-6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061362

Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (Life Science Focus)
Paheli Desai-Chowdhry, Biomathematics, Graduate Writing Consultant
Aidan Howenstine, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Adriana Mendez Leal, Psychology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Lois Bang, 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.
Tuesday, August 30th, 5:15-6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061363

Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus)
McKenna Davis, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Graduate Writing Consultant
Aidan Howenstine, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing 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.
Thursday, September 8th, 4:00-5:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061364

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 22nd, 6:00-7:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: [tba]

ESL Workshops

Self-Editing Strategies for Non-Native Speakers of English
Abraham Encinas, English, Graduate Writing Consultant
Amelia Ino, Comparative Literature, Graduate 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 19th, 5:15-6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1055402

Grants/Fellowships Workshops

Writing the Fulbright U.S. Fellowship Application
Jackie Davis, Fulbright Recipient, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jessie Stoolman, Fulbright Recipient, Graduate Writing Consultant
Lois Bang, 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.
Monday, July 11th, 11:00 AM-12:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely. RSVP on Handshake to receive Zoom information: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1050197

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, August 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/edu/events/1061367

2) NSF GRF (Physical Sciences Focus)
Wednesday, August 10th, 4:00-5:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061361

3) NSF GRF (Social Science Focus)
Thursday, August 18th, 4:00-5:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061357

4) NSF GRF (Engineering Focus)
Wednesday, August 24th, 5:15 - 6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061362

5) NSF GRF (Life Science Focus)
Tuesday, August 30th, 5:15 - 6:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom. RSVP on Handshake to receive an invitation: https://ucla.joinhandshake.com/edu/events/1061363

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.