An initiative to share University of Iowa research and scholarship with broad new audiences is offering a range new professional development workshops to support faculty in the new year.
Building on the University of Iowa’s national reputation as the Writing University, the Writing for the Public Good initiative seeks to support and expand the strengths of writers across all disciplines and departments to share UI research and scholarship with Iowa, the nation, and the world.
“In 2025, we are offering a suite of programs to help researchers and scholars craft compelling narratives, pitch their stories effectively, engage with the media, and make progress on book manuscripts,” said Kristy Nabhan-Warren, associate vice president for research, professor, V.O. and Elizabeth Kahl Figge Chair in Catholic Studies. “We look forward to expanding the cohort of 132 researchers and scholars who engaged with Writing for the Public Good programs last fiscal year to continue to extend the reach of new knowledge and discoveries produced at the University of Iowa.”
The Conversation Pitching Workshops
The Conversation is an independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of academic experts for the public good. With a monthly readership of 20 million, The Conversation supports scholars in reaching a broader public audience.
In the first year of the P3 initiative, UI authors published 23 articles through The Conversation, covering topics ranging from young adults’ risk of workplace injury to wildfire’s impacts on air quality. In all, other news outlets republished these articles nearly 500 times, garnering more than 351,079 online views.
Kristy Nabhan-Warren is available to lead one-hour workshops for small groups of researchers and scholars about how to publish with The Conversation and craft a successful pitch for their editors. To invite Kristy to an upcoming departmental or center meeting, reach out to kristy-nabhan-warren@uiowa.edu.
Science Through Narrative Workshop
Feb. 7, 9:00am - Noon
Effective communication can influence public perception, promote interdisciplinary collaboration, and inspire others. Science Through Narrative offers researchers and scholars the skills and strategies to create a memorable and engaging narrative about their work. Participants learn the elements of an effective story and practice applying these elements with feedback from peers and facilitators. The virtual workshop is hosted by the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, the gold-standard in science communication. The workshop is limited to 16 participants. Email leslie-revaux@uiowa.edu to register.
End-of-Year Writing Retreat
May 12-16, 2025
This in-person writing retreat is offered in partnership with the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies. The retreat will enable scholars to make progress on book manuscripts, articles, and grant applications. Daily catered lunches will provide an opportunity for exchange and discussion with other writers across campus. Fifteen participants will be accepted by competitive application, due March 14, 2025.
Communicating Ideas Workshop
July 2025
The Communicating Ideas workshop is held once annually for a small, interdisciplinary group of 9-10 faculty researchers and scholars. Throughout the half-day program, which includes short presentations, a panel of journalists, and one-on-one coaching, participants gather insights about communicating their research to the media and the general public. To attend, reach out to leslie-revaux@uiowa.edu.
The Writing for the Public Good Initiative is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research with support from the UI Strategic Initiatives Fund (P3).