Faculty Development Academic Writing Workshop
Faculty are expected to publish, but very few have ever been taught the craft of academic writing. Most learn by doing: writing papers, working with co-authors, responding to reviewers and gradually figuring out what works.
That can make writing a surprisingly solitary part of academic life.
This workshop gives faculty the opportunity to step away from their manuscripts and think about how they write. We look closely at argument, structure, storytelling and the reader, using published papers and real examples to understand how academic writing works.
The workshop also gives colleagues something they rarely have: the opportunity to talk openly about writing. Participants discuss their own writing practices, difficulties and decisions in a supportive environment with other researchers.
Designed for faculty in universities and business schools, the workshop can be delivered online or on campus and adapted to the needs of the institution.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Develop a regular writing practice that works alongside the other demands of academic life
Use outlining and reverse outlining to understand and strengthen the structure of a paper
Build a clear argument through the paper
Tell a compelling research story
Create greater clarity and coherence for the reader
Build stronger paragraphs and understand the work each paragraph needs to do
WORKSHOP FORMAT
Four half-day sessions, usually delivered over two weeks
Hands-on sessions with discussion, exercises and time to work on your own writing
Analysis of real manuscript drafts alongside their published versions
Conversations with colleagues about writing and the craft behind it
A supportive space where participants can share writing and discuss the difficulties they encounter
Tools and frameworks that participants apply directly to their own manuscripts
What Faculty Say
“Excellent. This should be a regular feature of the Business School's calendar. It was so lovely to be able to take the time to think about the craft of writing, and then have practical tips and tools to apply immediately.”
— Fiona Whitehurst, Assoc. Dean Engagement and Practice, Newcastle University Business School
“I really enjoyed the workshop experience and I think it is a very useful training! I think that you have the right balance of lecturing, examples, and exercises.”
“When I joined ESCP last year, this workshop was my first suggestion. Last week was a one-of-a-kind experience. I highly recommend it to ECRs, especially those non-native English speakers (like me). Many thanks for sharing only (and so much) good stuff!”
“Very insightful workshop. I like how deep and analytical it was. Analysis of several examples was very helpful and informative. Comparing good and bad practices in writing was extremely helpful and informative. A very nice exercise to analyse real written examples.”
— Arash Valipour, Assistant Professor, Queen Mary University
“The best part of this workshop is how you conduct it. It is very clear that you know what you are talking about, and you are able to transport your passion for writing (and improving writing) very clearly. I found this approach to be very personable and at the same time quite motivating. Along the same lines, I also liked that you are so involved in the topics that you react genuinely and emotionally when you see something you like or don't like. This can be seen by your excitement as well as by swearing or commenting on a shitshow.
The workshop was overall very useful and convincing. I highly recommend it to anyone taking their own writing seriously.”
— Stephan Dickert, Associate Professor, Queen Mary University
“A very helpful workshop that actually motivates writing. Thank you! Your passion really translates!”
— Julia Pueschel, Assistant Professor, Neoma Business School
“I liked the structured approach to writing, with very concrete suggestions to implement. I also really liked the interactivity and the discussions, not only on craft, but also purpose and process.”
“The workshop has transformed my approach to writing. I have a new appreciation for the creative process. It is not an innate talent but rather a craft which can be learned and honed.”
— Rebecca Casey, Co-Director of Student Recruitment, Newcastle Business School
“I've discovered why the papers writtent by my coauthors or edited by them are much more easy to read than my stuff. I now have to work to assimilate all you taught us and write readable papers myself.”
— Carine Chemin-Bouzir, Associate Professor, Neoma Business School
“I found the workshop valuable in many ways. I could see how important it was for colleagues to discuss one of our key practices - but I also learned a lot myself, both from the presentations and discussions.”
“A fascinating series of 4 eye-opening and thought-provoking sessions. Tanvi is an engaging and inspirational presenter who will help you identify some of the simple yet critical subtleties that we overlook, which when addressed can transform our academic writing into a lucid, succinct and well articulated piece of work. Some of the subtle things that we sometimes overlook such as what to include in a paragraph (number of concepts and ideas), logical sequence and different types of structures for sentences, paragraphs and sections are comprehensively covered with some uncharted insight and illustrative examples.
I wish Tanvi was employed in our academic institution, but she would probably end up being fully booked with appointments and inundated with emails in regards to good practices in academic writing.”
“I especially liked to see you working and to see you thinking aloud. Most of the content are some tools, which can be read in books or papers, but being able to use the tools makes an expert.”
— Pavel Král, Associate Professor, Prague University of Economics and Business
“I just loved the way the workshop was run. Especially the first part of every day. It was very useful for me and I have taken aspects to my own writing supervision and teaching.”
Institutions I Have Worked With
FAQs
Is the teaching format flexible?
Yes. The workshop is usually delivered over four half-days across two weeks, but the format can be adapted to your institution's schedule and requirements. We can also adjust the content and contact hours.
Can the workshop be delivered online or in person?
Yes. I have delivered the workshop entirely online, entirely in person, and in hybrid formats. We can choose the format that works best for your institution and participants.
Do participants get one-on-one feedback for their writing?
Yes. When the workshop is delivered in its standard format, time is built in for short one-on-one feedback sessions with participants.
Participants who would like more extensive individual support can also work with me separately on their manuscripts.
How many participants can attend?
The workshop is designed for a maximum of 20 participants. A smaller group gives us more room for discussion and allows me to respond to individual writing problems.
Can we mix professors and PhD students in the workshop?
I don't recommend it. Doctoral researchers can be understandably reluctant to talk openly about their writing when they are in a room with their professors or supervisors.
I offer a separate Doctoral Academic Writing Course designed specifically for PhD researchers. If you are looking for writing training for both faculty and doctoral researchers, we can discuss the two programs separately.
What are your fees?
Fees depend on the workshop format, number of sessions and delivery requirements. Contact me with a little information about your institution and what you're looking for, and I'll get back to you.
Bring the Faculty Development Writing Workshop to your University
The workshop can be adapted to your faculty, timetable and institutional needs. Tell me a little about what you're looking for and we can discuss how the workshop might work at your university or business school.