Developing Science Writing
Skills:
A Sustainable Program for UVM
Workshops
The purpose of these workshops is to begin the process of
developing
a sustainable writing program in the STEM disciplines at UVM. Dr. Lisa
Emerson is an experienced teacher and widely published researcher in
the field of science writing whose visit has been sponsored by the
Neuroscience, Behaviour and Health Initiative. These workshops are a
unique opportunity for scientists to strengthen their role as mentors
and advisors to emerging scientists, and to consider how to either
integrate writing into their curricula or develop a science writing
course for graduates and seniors. We are also offering opportunities
for emerging scientists to develop their skills in writing for
publication and presenting papers at conferences. All the workshops are
interactive and invite you to examine your own practice and consider
new possibilities.
Workshop #1: Mentoring the
Writing Skills of Emerging Scientists
Lisa Emerson, Massey University
Register
here
Same workshop offered 3 different times (choose one):
Friday, November 13 in HSRF 300
10 am- 12 noon, lunch provided from 12-12:30 pm
Thursday, December 17 in HSRF 400
12:00 pm- 2:00 pm, lunch provided
Friday, January 8 in HSRF 300
9:00 am – 11:00 am, continental breakfast provided
One of the more challenging tasks of many senior scientists is
supporting the writing of the people in your lab, whether they’re
graduate students, postdocs, or junior faculty members. If you learned
to write in your discipline intuitively (e.g. by trial-and-error, or
simply by reading in your field), you may feel you lack the skills to
teach others how to write. The aim of this workshop is to provide
scientists with the tools to teach discipline-appropriate writing to
the junior lab members or to graduate students. We will explore issues
such as effective writing process in science, when to worry about
grammar, locating the central story, teaching the structure of the
research paper, audience engagement, effective paragraphing, using
sources, inductive vs deductive documents and revision strategies. At
the end of the workshop, you’ll be better able to develop your lab
members as effective writers – and you may find your own approach to
writing is transformed too.
What to bring with you: writing materials and two
papers (hard copy) you think are well-written from journals in your
field.
Workshop #2: Overview of
Running a Science Writing Course
Lisa Emerson, Massey University
Rae Nishi, Director of NGP, Neurological Sciences, UVM
Register
here
Same workshop offered 2 different times (choose one):
Friday, November 13 in HSRF 300
12:30-2:30 pm, lunch provided from 12-12:30 pm
Thursday, December 10 in HSRF 400
11:00 am-1:00 pm, lunch provided
Lisa Emerson has run short courses and full semester courses
on
science writing for graduate students for many years. In this workshop
she outlines the central concepts of running a course on writing in
science, including effective process, audience-focused writing,
identifying the narrative, and developing a language with which to talk
about science writing. The outcome of any course should be scientists
who can make more intentional decisions about writing, and who are thus
able to write clear, audience-appropriate texts.
This workshop
is introduced by Rae Nishi from the Neuroscience, Behavior, and Health
Initiative, who outlines her vision for developing our scientists as
writers. The workshop concludes with discussion of how we might run
effective courses to support our emerging scientists as writers.
Workshop #3 A, B, C:
Teaching Emerging Scientists How to Write – A Closer Look
Lisa Emerson, Massey University
Susanmarie Harrington, UVM
Register
here
We hope that faculty will attend all three seminars in this series.
Workshop 3A Developing a science writing course: Principles and Curriculum (choose one)
Friday, November 20 in HSRF 400
10:30-12:30 pm, lunch provided
Wednesday, January 6 in HSRF 400
8:30 am- 10:30 am, continental breakfast provided
This workshop lays down the key principles and concepts for developing a science writing course. What format should it take: a full semester course vs. a short course? Why would we develop such a course and what should be its aims and objectives? What might be included in the curriculum – what is and is not important? How might we approach issues such as information literacy and rhetorical reading? How does learning about things like grammar and punctuation intersect with learning about broader issues of identifying gaps and analyzing data? As well as discussing these key concepts, we will also consider practical issues, and begin an exploration of curricula, readings, and course texts. Participants will leave with a sense of priorities that will guide further course development.
Workshop 3B Developing a science writing course: Pedagogy and Assessment (choose one)
Friday, December 4
10:00 am – 12:00 pm, HSRF 400 continental breakfast provided
Wednesday, January 6 in HSRF 400
11:00 am- 1:00 pm, lunch provided
The second workshop in this series builds on the first by focusing on two critical issues: how do we teach a science writing course (i.e. how does pedagogy support the curriculum?) and how do we assess and support student learning? We consider issues such as student-centered and student-directed learning, supporting the writing process, reflective writing, and the relationship between thinking and writing. Assessment in a science writing course needs to be authentic and discipline-specific, and it needs to effect changes in students’ beliefs and attitudes: we look at ways to achieve this. Participants who attended workshop 3A will identify pedagogical strategies that best fit the priorities developed in the earlier workshop, but all participants will leave with new ideas about teaching science writing.
Workshop 3C Integrating writing into existing courses (choose one)
Friday, December 11
11:00 am- 1:00 pm, HSRF 400, lunch provided
Wednesday, January 6 in HSRF 400
1:30 pm- 3:30 pm, snacks provided
The third workshop is designed for faculty who may not wish to teach a course on science writing but would like to find a way to strengthen their students’ writing and thinking skills within an existing disciplinary course. We will focus on two things: how to use writing to develop students’ thinking skills and support their learning, and how to incorporate discipline-specific genres as part of course assessment. This workshop is highly practical: we will discuss examples of assignments designed within disciplinary courses, and consider the all-important question of how to incorporate writing into a course without being overburdened by responding or grading.
Workshop #4 A, B, C:
Writing Series: Writing and Communicating Science for Trainees
Lisa Emerson, Massey University
Register
here
2 hours each (attendees can participate in all three or just selected ones)
We are offering three interactive workshops for emerging scientists (graduate students – Masters or doctoral, post docs, or any junior faculty who wish to extend their skills as a writer and communicator). The workshops are offered as a series, and are interconnected, but you are welcome to join us for just one session if you prefer. The workshop topics are as follows:
(choose one)
Wednesday, November 18 in HSRF 300
8:30-10:30 am, continental breakfast provided
Wednesday, December 2 in HSRF 300
8:30 am- 10:30 am, continental breakfast provided
In this workshop we identify the key elements of writing in
your
discipline, critically examine your current skills and process, and
engage in communication mapping.
What to bring with you:
something to write with (laptop/pen and paper), two papers from a
significant journal in your field (if you’re not sure, ask one of your
professors). It would also be useful to bring along something you are
currently writing (a report, paper, or similar).
Wednesday, November 18 in HSRF 300
11:00 am – 1:00 pm, lunch provided
Wednesday, December 2 in HSRF 300
11:00 am- 1:00 pm, lunch provided
In this workshop we examine the centrality of story,
persuasion, and
the structure of the scientific paper. The aims of the workshop are to
enable you to become more intentional about writing strategies and to
help you to develop the skills to write in a range of scientific
contexts (papers, grants, public communication).
What to bring with you: something to write with
(laptop/pen and paper)
Wednesday, November 18 in HSRF 300
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm, HSRF 300, snacks provided
Wednesday, December 2
1:30 pm- 3:30 pm, HSRF 300, snacks provided
Presenting at conferences is a key form of communication within science. This workshop helps you to develop key skills in presenting your ideas and engaging your audience. What to bring with you: if you are currently working on a conference presentation, bring your notes. Otherwise, writing materials are all you’ll need.