This program is offered in collaboration with the Public Engagement Project.
Turn Your Research into Public Impact
What if your expertise could reach readers across the country—and around the world?
Your research can inform public conversations, influence decision-makers, and reach audiences far beyond the academy. Following our public webinar on publishing with The Conversation, the Office of Faculty Development and the Public Engagement Project invite a small cohort of UMass Amherst faculty to take the next step: developing and submitting an article for publication with intensive writing support and editorial mentorship.
About the Cohort
This four-part writing cohort is designed for faculty who are ready to translate their scholarship for a broad public audience and pursue publication in The Conversation, a leading digital publication where academics write for the general public with support from professional editors and journalists.
Participants will work closely with Lisa Troy, Director of the Public Engagement Project, in a highly interactive, workshop-based setting to:
- Identify timely, compelling topics drawn from their research and expertise
- Develop an article pitch suitable for The Conversation
- Learn strategies for engaging public audiences through accessible, impactful writing
- Draft, revise, and refine an article
- Receive feedback from peers and the facilitator
- Prepare a submission to The Conversation
Who Should Apply?
Faculty and Librarians, who are either tenure track or continuing appointment track, from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Ideal participants will:
- Have attended the webinar on publishing with The Conversation (or reviewed workshop materials)
- Be interested in public scholarship and broader dissemination of their work
- Have a research area or expertise that can contribute to current public discussions
- Be able to commit to attending all four cohort sessions and actively participating in the writing process
A Unique Opportunity
In the September 23 webinar, participants learned from Hannah Sussman, editor at The Conversation, about how the publication works, who gets published, and why these articles resonate with millions of readers. They also heard from UMass faculty who shared firsthand experiences of publishing for public audiences.
This writing cohort provides an opportunity to move from inspiration to action. Through focused mentorship and a supportive community of writers, participants will work toward producing a polished piece ready for submission.
Cohort Size
Space is limited. To ensure individualized feedback and meaningful engagement, participation will be restricted to a small cohort of faculty writers.
Apply
Faculty interested in participating should submit an application describing:
- Their area of expertise
- A potential topic or idea for an article
- Their interest in public-facing scholarship
- Their availability to participate fully in the cohort
Share your expertise. Expand the reach of your scholarship. Join the conversation.
Apply now! Applications close on Friday, September 25.