Writing and Research Workshops - Summer 2026
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.
Note: We are still in the process of scheduling summer workshops, so more workshops will be added soon.
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
Tuesday, June 30th, 9:00-10:00 AM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Project Organization for Writing using this Google Form
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
Wednesday, July 1st, 9:00-10:00 AM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Time Management and Productivity Tips using this Google Form
UCLA IRB Review: Policy and Procedures
Paul Lillig, 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.
Time Details
Tuesday, July 14th, 12:00-1:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for UCLA IRB Review: Policy and Procedures on 12twenty to receive Zoom information
Strategic Reading
Victoria Tran, Sociology, Graduate Writing 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.
Time Details: Thursday, August 20th, 4:30-5:45 PM
RSVP for Strategic Reading on 12twenty to receive Zoom information
Public Speaking in Academia
Harmeet Kalsi, Education, Graduate Writing Consultant
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate 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 to improve your presentation skills.
Time Details: Thursday, September 3rd, 4:30-6:00 PM
RSVP for Public Speaking in Academia on 12twenty 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.
Time Details
- TBD
RSVP for Mindful Writing Retreat Sessions (Online) 7/18 to receive Zoom information
Writing the Personal Statement
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Janel Pineda, Chicana/o and Central American Studies, 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. The workshop will be offered twice:
Time Details
- Wednesday, August 12th, 5:30-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing the Personal Statement 8/13 to receive Zoom information - Thursday, August 13th, 5:30-6:30 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing the Personal Statement 8/14 to receive Zoom information
Navigating Graduate School: Academic Success Strategies for First-Generation College Students*
Harmeet Kalsi, Education, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Janel Pineda, Chicana/o and Central American Studies, Graduate Writing Center 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.
*We are defining a first-generation college student as a student whose parent(s) or guardian(s) did not complete a four-year degree in the United States.
Time Details
Thursday, August 27th, 4:00-5:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Navigating Graduate School: Academic Success Strategies for First-Generation College Students to receive Zoom information
Humanities & Social Sciences Writing Workshops
Strategies for Writing about Statistics
Leezet Matos, Psychology, Graduate Writing 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 clearly and accurately present statistical findings when writing results and discussion sections.
Time Details
Thursday, July 2, 12:45-1:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Strategies for Writing about Statistics using this Google Form
Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General)
Leezet Matos, Psychology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Xochitl Ortiz Ross, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jane Sin, Division of Graduate Education Fellowship Services
This 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.
Time Details
- Thursday, July 9, 5:15-7:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 7/9 to receive Zoom information - Wednesday, August 5th, 4:30-6:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 8/5 to receive Zoom information - Tuesday, September 15th, 4:30-6:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 9/15 to receive Zoom information
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Lika Balenovich, Comparative Literature, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Janel Pineda, Chicana/o and Central American Studies, Graduate Writing Center 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.
Time Details
- Wednesday, July 29th, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences) to receive Zoom information - Thursday, September 10th, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences) to receive Zoom information
Science and Engineering Writing Workshops
Strategies for Writing Effective Scientific Papers
Xochitl Ortiz Ross, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Mykel Barrett, Molecular 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 Science,focusing on effective and clear narrative structure to make writing engaging and impactful.
Time Details
Tuesday, June 30th, 12:45-1:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Strategies for Writing Effective Scientific Papers using this Google Form
Creating Effective Figures and Visual Aids
Xochitl Ortiz Ross, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Mykel Barrett, Molecular Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
This workshop focuses on strategies for designing effective figures and visual materials. 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
Wednesday, July 1, 12:45-1:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Creating Effective Figures and Visual Aids using this Google Form
Strategies for Writing about Statistics
Leezet Matos, Psychology, Graduate Writing 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.
Time Details
Thursday, July 2, 12:45-1:45 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Strategies for Writing about Statistics using this Google Form
Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General)
Leezet Matos, Psychology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Xochitl Ortiz Ross, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Jane Sin, Division of Graduate Education Fellowship Services
This 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.
Time Details
- Thursday, July 9, 5:15-7:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 7/9 to receive Zoom information - Wednesday, August 5th, 4:30-6:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 8/5 to receive Zoom information - Tuesday, September 15th, 4:30-6:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 9/15 to receive Zoom information
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus)
Leezet Matos, Psychology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Xochitl Ortiz Ross, 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.
Time Details
- Wednesday, July 22nd, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus) to receive Zoom information - Wednesday, September 9th, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus) to receive Zoom information
ESL Workshops
Self-Editing Strategies for Non-Native Speakers of English
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.
Time Details
Wednesday, August 19th, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Self-Editing Strategies for Non-Native Speakers of English to receive Zoom information
Grants/Fellowships Workshops
Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General)
Various Workshop Presenters
This 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.
Time Details
- Thursday, July 9, 5:15-7:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 7/9 to receive Zoom information - Wednesday, August 5th, 4:30-6:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 8/5 to receive Zoom information - Tuesday, September 15th, 4:30-6:15 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (General) 9/15 to receive Zoom information
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus)
Leezet Matos, Psychology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Xochitl Ortiz Ross, 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.
Time Details
- Wednesday, July 22nd, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus) to receive Zoom information - Wednesday, September 9th, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted remotely via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (STEM Focus) to receive Zoom information
Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences)
Lika Balenovich, Comparative Literature, Graduate Writing Center Consultant
Andrew Malmuth, Sociology, Graduate Writing Consultant
Janel Pineda, Chicana/o and Central American Studies, Graduate Writing Center 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.
Time Details
- Wednesday, July 29th, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences) to receive Zoom information - Thursday, September 10th, 4:30-6:00 PM
This workshop will be conducted via Zoom.
RSVP for Writing Successful Grant and Fellowship Applications (Humanities and Social Sciences) to receive Zoom information
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 2026, we recommend getting started on your application essays well in advance, to allow for multiple drafts and revision.
Time Details
[TBD]
RSVP for Telling Your New American Story: Applying to the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans 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. For workshops on coding and data science skills, see the Carpentries workshops page.
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.