Tell me the write way to write!

By Paris Papagianis, Ritchie Centre PhD Student

Paris Papagianis

Last week, 70 PhD students and Early Career Researchers from the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute attended a 2-day workshop facilitated by Prof Kurt Albertine at the MHTP Translational Research Facility. 

Kurt is Professor of Neonatology, and Adjunct Professor of Pulmonary Medicine, Neurobiology and Anatomy at the University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City. He’s also editor of the peer-reviewed journal, The Anatomical Record. His own research focuses on neonatal chronic lung injury, but his advice and critique stretched way beyond this topic. In fact, he managed to stay away from his specialty altogether, making his comments relevant to everyone in the audience.

The aim of Kurt’s writing workshops is to teach researchers how to write clearly and concisely, with specific emphasis on manuscript preparation. I’ve been to quite a few writing workshops, but Kurt’s was different. To start with, his kookiness was thoroughly engaging. He arrived for day 1 wearing a moose-print tie and red spray jacket…

Kurt Albertine

Kurt examined every aspect of a scientific manuscript, from abstracts, to discussions, tables, figures and figure legends. Participants provided electronic copies of their writing prior to the workshop. Kurt did not name and shame, but used these examples to clearly demonstrate where we could improve our writing as he edited our work in real-time, on the big screen. We called out for him to choose our work as he finished with each example. His interactivity and critique was unlike any I have experienced in other writing workshops.

What Kurt taught us has actually stuck with me! I hear Kurt’s tips and tricks every time I write (like now). I feel more confident in my writing ability. Not only that, but I began to appreciate that I am not the only student who struggles with writing. It was somewhat relieving to me that other students were making similar errors to me: I‘m not alone in the challenges I face in my PhD.

From now on, you’ll be reading better writing by the students and ECRs who attended Kurt’s workshop. Thanks to the School of Clinical Sciences, Hudson Institute of Medical Research and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and the NHMRC Preterm Infants Centre for Research Excellence, for the help in acquiring such a critical skill.