Applications open: science writing workshop for QB3-Berkeley graduate students and postdocs

Applications are now open for a workshop for QB3-Berkeley graduate students and postdocs, Science Writing for the Public: Share Your Research and Connect with Audiences. This three-part workshop will give participants training in writing science communications for a general audience. Description, timeline and application details below:

Workshop Description:

Writer, editor, and QB3-Berkeley communications manager Mackenzie Smith will host a three-part workshop to help graduate students and postdocs learn to share their research with general audiences. This workshop will provide QB3-Berkeley scientists with a roadmap for drafting a general interest article, blog post, interview, profile, or photo essay that highlights their research or another related area of study. Workshop participants will gain insight into writing for lay audiences and experience working with an editor, culminating in an opportunity to publish a piece on QB3-Berkeley’s website this summer or during the 2020-2021 academic year. Participants who complete the workshop and publish their work on QB3-Berkeley’s website may also have the opportunity for their piece to be crossposted and promoted via additional UC Berkeley channels, including The Berkeleyan, the Transcript Newsletter and social media.

Timeline:

  • Application deadline: Friday, May 8th
  • Applicant notification: Tuesday, May 13th
  • Workshop begins: Monday, May 18th

Workshop dates: 

  • Monday, May 18th, 10:00-11:00 am
  • Wednesday, May 20th, 10:00-11:00 am
  • Friday, May 22nd, 10:00-11:00 am

Additional details and participant expectations:

  • The workshop will be capped at 12 participants.
  • To participate in this workshop, applicants must be a student in the Computational Biology or Biophysics graduate programs, or be a graduate student or postdoc in a QB3-Berkeley faculty affiliate’s lab. Please visit our website for a list of QB3-Berkeley faculty affiliates.
  • Participants can expect to spend about an hour of preparation time before workshop sessions two and three.
  • Upon completion of the workshop, students and postdocs should commit to submitting a piece for publication on the QB3-Berkeley website. Participants will then work with QB3-Berkeley communications manager Mackenzie Smith to revise, edit, and publish their work this summer or over the 2020-2021 academic year.
Apply: Graduate students and postdocs should apply here. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 8th.

Please direct any questions to QB3-Berkeley communications manager Mackenzie Smith.