Throughout the academic year, the Graduate Writing Lab offers workshops, information sessions, and panel events to help grow your writing practice and expand your toolkit of writing and presentation skills. Our current lineup of workshops and events is available below, along with registration links. You can also browse workshops in YaleConnect or watch your inbox for our weekly newsletter.
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Building Knowledge
in 2025–26
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127
workshops and panels offered
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1636
grad students attended GWL workshops
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97%
of participants gained confidence about meeting their writing goals
About Workshops & Panels
Topics
Our workshops cover a wide range of skills and genres, including:
- Developing Your Academic Style
- Grant & Fellowship Writing
- Writing for Publication
- Communicating to a Public Audience
- Developing Productive Writing Habits
- AI for Research & Writing
- Writing in Your Discipline
Instruction was wonderful! The tools were modeled throughout the workshop, and were engaging and relatable. Truly enjoyed it!
GWL Workshop Participant
Workshops
Our workshops cover all aspects of academic communication, from writing conventions in your discipline, to oral and visual communication, to improving your productivity and writing process.
Workshops are designed for both students who are new to the topic and experienced practitioners who are deepening their knowledge and skillsets.
GWL workshops are hands on and activity based. You’ll engage with models, examples, and approachable strategies that get you writing in the very first session.
Panels
Our panels feature Yale faculty discussing their own writing practices, grad students sharing strategies for writing a prospectus, and experts in publishing and editing offering an insider’s view of writing for publication
We carefully select panelists who can present a range of experience and advice on the panel topic. And panels always include opportunities for engagement, where audience members can follow up on presentation topics or have their own questions answered.
Our panelists are always eager to share their knowledge, expertise, and further resources.
Eligibility
Graduate Writing Lab workshops and panels are designed for graduate students and professional school students. However, we welcome Yale postdocs, postgrads, faculty, and staff to take advantage of these programs. GWL workshops are free and available to all who are interested within the Yale community.
Upcoming Events
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Writing a Research Paper from A to Z in the Humanities and Social Sciences Series
This 5-Part Series will walk you through drafting, refining, and submitting your Fall 2026 research papers in the humanities or qualitative social science. Throughout, you will develop your confidence as a research writer, work on developing a flexible and reflective writing process, and experiment with different ways to contribute to an academic conversation while retaining your voice. The 5-s…
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Foundational Writing Skills in STEM Series
Ready to develop critical writing skills that will carry you through all your graduate research projects? Join us to explore and build on the cornerstones of effective scientific writing: Part 1: Write For Your Audience: Introduction to Scientific Writing Genres (10/12) Part 2: Keep up with the Literature: Reading, Evaluating, and Synthesizing Papers (10/19) Part 3: Conquer the Blank Page: …
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Dissertation Writing as Practice Series
This series provides dissertation writers with the structure, resources, and creative outlets to design and maintain a sustainable approach to writing. We will explore effective practices for pacing your dissertation writing while helping you overcome common writing blocks and find balance in your writing life. During each weekly live workshop session, we will engage with a relevant theme, disc…
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Writing for a Public Audience: Policy Memos
Led by Jackson School writing director David Morse, this interactive workshop will teach the principles and conventions of policy writing, with a focus on how to craft a policy memo. We will explore the similarities and differences between policy writing and academic writing, review various types of memos, and collaboratively edit a policy memo to become more familiar with the genre. Intende…
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Researching and Writing a Master's Thesis in the Humanities & Social Sciences
Working on a master’s thesis in the social sciences or humanities? This workshop will prepare participants to begin their projects with practical exercises focused on entering an academic conversation. You’ll develop strategies for gathering resources and streamlining the writing process. We will also discuss the various components of the thesis, including how to choose a topic, conduct a liter…
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Writing a Prospectus in STEM: Student Panel
Do you have to write a prospectus or qualifying exam proposal in the sciences in the next year? In this workshop, we will cover the structure and content these project proposals, as well as writing tips and resources. After that, Yale PhD students who have successfully defended their prospectuses will share strategies from their experiences navigating this challenging new genre, and we will con…
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Choosing a Dissertation Topic in the Humanities
Are you unsure of what to write about, or even how to find a close focus for your topic? Are you wondering how to frame your project? Are you trying to work on an interdisciplinary topic that crosses traditional boundaries? Choosing a dissertation topic in the humanities can be a stressful process, as you ponder numerous issues within your field and try to anticipate all possible factors affect…
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Writing Book Reviews in the Humanities & Social Sciences
Writing a book review can help you stay current in your field and add to your publication list. This hands-on workshop gives you the tools you need to master this important genre of academic writing. We’ll cover book review basics, compare reviews of the same book for stylistic ideas, and discuss venues for publishing your work. Intended Audience: GSAS and professional school students in the so…
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AI for Research and Writing Series
Using artificial intelligence for research and writing has emerged as a helpful skillset in any scholar’s toolkit. AI tools can find sources, read and summarize articles, write text and code, manage workflows, and identify impactful research questions. In this workshop series, participants will reflect on their own research to identify opportunities for AI to boost their productivity and impact…
Past Events
Still Have Questions?
For additional information about humanities, social science, and interdisciplinary events, contact GWL Associate Director Julia Istomina. For information about STEM events, contact Assistant Director of Scientific Communication Lauren Gonzalez.
We’re always available via the GWL’s main email address: grad.writing@yale.edu.
Explore GWL Programs
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Peer-Review Groups
Groups of 4–7 students who meet weekly to share feedback, make progress, and support one another on a common project.
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Writing Consultations
Get 1-on-1 feedback at any stage of the writing process—from brainstorming to final edits.
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Public Speaking Studio
Practice your lecture, pitch, or presentation and receive feedback on nine aspects of your delivery.
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Writing Retreats & All Writes
Full-day and half-day events where graduate students set goals and write as a community in a quiet, supportive space.
We’re here to help!
Reach out to the Poorvu Center team if you have any questions or to learn more about our programs.