Researchers are, almost by definition, also writers. And the writing they do—whether reporting results, applying for funding, or translating research for a general audience—requires highly specialized skills.
The National Institute of Statistical Sciences has responded to that need with its popular NISS Annual Writing Workshop for Junior Researchers.
The workshop is designed for researchers with recent (within the past six years) PhDs in statistics, biostatics, and related fields. Its focus is on how to write better journal articles and grant proposals. Participants receive direct feedback from former journal editors and program officers.
Good News for Canadian Researchers
This year the course will be delivered in a hybrid format with online sessions on July 21 and 28 and an optional in-person wrap-up at the Joint Statistical Meetings in Toronto on August 6.
Space is limited, but CANSSI is a major sponsor and has arranged priority spots for Canadian researchers.
That makes this iteration a very good opportunity for Canadian applicants.
Apply Now
The pre-registration deadline is June 30, 2023, and the registration fee for accepted applicants is $250.
Interested?
Visit the workshop page on the NISS website for details on how to apply.
What Last Year’s Participants Said
Last year, four Canadian researchers participated in the workshop thanks to CANSSI’s arrangements. Here’s what they said about the experience.
Overall, I found the workshop to be helpful as a comprehensive guideline for the procedures and information one can expect when it comes to grant writing. The programs and sessions provided me with a bird’s-eye view of grant writing, which I had not encountered before, as I started my first faculty position right after my PhD, and as an international student, I was not involved in grant writing during my PhD training. Particularly, the one-on-one mentoring session with the senior mentor was incredibly practical and mentally stimulating, and was my favourite part of the workshop. – Sunmee Kim, Assistant Professor, Quantitative Psychology, University of Manitoba
The workshop was exceptionally useful. I connected with a senior faculty member in my subfield who read my work in detail and formed an informed positive opinion of it while providing meaningful and substantial feedback. I am considering attending the Joint Statistical Meetings this year only in the hopes of attending this workshop again. – Alex Stringer, Assistant Professor, Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of Waterloo
I found the workshop useful, especially the talks on different writing topics, and the opportunities to meet and interact with peers with a similar career stage. – Zihang Lu, Assistant Professor, Public Health Sciences and Mathematics and Statistics, Queen’s University
The NISS Writing Workshop is very useful. – Mingran Zhang, Visiting Graduate Student, University of Victoria
