Public Writing Fellows

In this program, graduate students work over the summer with a peer mentor group under the direction of the Office of Professional Development to write, revise, and polish a research communication news story. Participants also learn strategies to effectively communicate about their own research with non-experts. 

Our 2026 Public Writing Fellows stories are linked below. Keep an eye on this webpage for the latest updates, and get to know this year's cohort:

  1. Alice Lubeck, PhD student in Environmental Conservation
  2. Chamini Kulathunga, PhD student in Comparative Literature
  3. Dhiroj Koirala, PhD student in Resource Economics
  4. Florence Dadzoe, PhD student in Civil and Environmental Engineering
  5. Julia Giguere, Master's student in Design, Architecture
  6. Muhammad Faheemur Rahman, PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering
  7. Pranandita Biswas, PhD student in Economics
  8. Samantha Kloft, PhD student in Health Policy and Management
  9. Scholastika Massawe, PhD student in Teachers Education and Curriculum Studies

Are you interested in improving your writing for non-expert audiences? Or maybe you want to pursue a career in public relations, communication, or outreach?  Become a Graduate School Public Writing Fellow! The application for 2026 Public Writing Fellows has closed. Stay tuned in spring 2027 for our next call for applications!

Recent Public Writing Fellow Stories

An image featuring Nic Thomas with student peers and colleagues from his lab.
When antibiotics fail, can the answer be in the kitchen garden?

UMass scientist Nic Thomas combats tough bacteria with essential oils.
Image of Shahnaz Basir posed in front of a whiteboard displaying resarch-in-progress.
When Seeing Is No Longer Believing

Shahnaz is a doctoral candidate in Communication at UMass Amherst who came to the subject of audience trust through photography.
Walter Gropius’ Bauhaus/modernist residence in Lincoln, MA.
A Different Kind of Composition

Carolyn Walker brings her passion for music to an ambitious novel about art, memory, and loss.
Gretchen Hohmeyer presents her work at the AERA conference.
What Children See: How Text and Images Shape Historical Understanding

Gretchen Hohmeyer, a PhD candidate in the Department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies, seeks to redefine how American history is presented in K-12.
Adam Lechowicz presents their research
Using Small, Invisible Applications of AI to Power Large Changes

UMass graduate student Adam Lechowicz designs decision-making systems with AI to achieve multiple goals in complex decision-making scenarios.
Estefany Argueta Herrera conducts genetic sampling on green sea turtle hatchlings.
How Marine Life Adapts to a Warming World: Estefany Argueta Herrera Investigates how the Reproductive Behavior of Green Sea Turtles and the Movement of Black Sea Bass are Re-shaping Marine Ecosystems

UMass Amherst graduate student Estefany Argueta Herrera is investigating green sea turtles, black bass, and the reshaping of marine ecosystems.
Brenda Nyarko and Marco Vital examine medical equipment.
From Documenting Problems to Engineering Solutions: Brenda Nyarko's Journey in Nursing Research

Brenda Nyarko is a current Nursing doctoral student conducting innovative research on the impact of hospital equipment on nurses and patients.