Academic Writing Workshops

If you are interested in developing your writing skills in academia and honing your essays, dissertation, job applications, proposals, and/or research skills, this is the event for you! Details for registration will be available at the start of Michaelmas term.

‘Academic Writing and Digital Research Skills Mastery Workshop’ by Dr. Anthony Harris

14 October 2023, 9:15-13:15 (followed by optional individual support sessions from 14:00-17:00)

At Cambridge, the expected standard of written English (as well as standards of academic referencing) is high. This can sometimes come as a surprise for new graduates who have previously submitted essays and dissertations to academic institutions outside Cambridge and/or the United Kingdom. Also, graduates transitioning from the sciences to the humanities will often find the concept of a ‘literary argument’ somewhat puzzling. This workshop, spread over one half day (morning) with at least one individual afternoon supervision, aims to deal with these and many other challenges that new graduates face when beginning their studies at Clare Hall.

‘Reclaiming Time in a Busy World’ by Michelle Anjirbag-Reeve

4 November 2023, 10:00-12:30

This workshop is focused on rest as praxis and practice. The last few years have proven time and again how difficult it can be to find balance and time for rest and care in a busy world with more and more personal and professional demands arising all of the time. Mindfulness has become a buzzword; in this workshop we will discuss rest as a genuine method of care, not in the effort of being more productive but in terms of prioritizing healthier selves and communities. We will discuss sources of stress and strain in our lives, and do a series of writing exercises including some to identify priorities in our lives, identify systems of care and support, and discuss organization and prioritization strategies.

‘An Interactive Workshop on Writing and Editing Your Thesis’ by Lizzie Collingham

17 November 2023, 14:00-17:00 

Lizzie Collingham will be running an interactive workshop on writing and editing your thesis in the Meeting Room on Friday 17 November at 2pm.

She will tailor the session to the needs of the participants. Topics she can cover include getting started with your writing; how to check and improve your argument; sign posting; improving your style and how to edit your own work.

If you would like to attend please let Lizzie know by Saturday 11 November and send a sample of your writing that you would be willing to share and work on with the group to Lizzie at lizzie.collingham@gmail.com.

Please also bring a sample of your writing to the session printed out, 1.5 line spaced.