Public writing workshop
A virtual workshop to train and support the next generation of public humanities scholars.
Spring 2027 workshop: Writing for popular media
The last few years have seen incredible innovation within Shakespeare and early modern studies. Much of it rethinking approaches to race, performance, gender and sexuality, environmental studies, and postcolonial studies. But turning academic research into public conversations is often slow and challenging.
This workshop is designed to help scholars share their expertise with wider audiences. It will focus on how to write about Shakespeare and early modern topics in ways that are accessible, responsible, and rooted in current events—while giving credit to the academic labor behind the insights.
Before the workshop, participants will choose a timely topic, identify potential outlets, and draft a pitch for an article aimed at general readers. During the sessions, participants will workshop pitches and drafts, discuss editing and social media strategies, and explore topics like fair citation, amplifying underrepresented voices, and getting paid for public writing.
The workshop will also look beyond writing—into theater reviews, blogs, podcasts, and public talks—and talk about how to make this work meaningful for tenure, hiring, and promotion.
Making scholarship accessible
This program supports premodern critical race studies scholars in honing the craft of writing for a general audience. Throughout the workshop, scholars will learn how to turn their research into an accessible, compelling story, how to find an appropriate venue for their writing, and how to pitch editors with success. The series of 4 workshops will be held via Zoom in synchronous sessions in early winter.
Workshop 1: “Welcome to Public Writing," Friday, 22 January 2027
Workshop 2: “Pitching an Editor" with Scott Heller ("New York Times"), Friday, 29 January 2027
Workshop 3: “Crafting an Article" with David Haglund ("The New Yorker"), Friday, 12 February 2027
Workshop 4: “Joining the Conversation" with Lauren N. Williams ("The Guardian"), Friday, 26 February 2027
Ready to apply? Please complete this online application by December 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM (EST). Applicants will be notified of results by the end of 2026.
Questions? Please do not hesitate to reach out to program directors, Dr. Daniel Pollack-Pelzner ([email protected]) and Dr. Elizabeth E. Tavares ([email protected]).