Writing Group

We hold a writing group for scholars of legislative politics. The writing group provides regular monthly writing time, accountability mechanisms, feedback on research, writing-related advice, and networking. All ranks of scholars are welcome to participate.
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Format: At the beginning of each session participants will be invited to share what they intend to work on that session (and briefly describe the broader project if they wish) and what their goal is to produce at the end of the 2 hr session.  That will be followed by writing time.  Scholars who need to leave early can. Those who remain at the end of the session can share what they accomplished and any issues/questions/feedback they want from the group.
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Meeting Times for Fall 2025:
Fourth Monday of the month, 1:30-3:30 pm ET

Want to Participate? Join us by registering here!
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Fall 2025 Writing Group Coordinators:
Julia Hellwege (julia.hellwege (at) usd.edu)
Maggie Macdonald (maggie.macdonald (at) uky.edu)​

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Summer 2025 Writing Workshop

​Join us for our annual Summer Writing Bootcamp, August 4-7th, which will run each day from 1:30-3:30pm ET. The bootcamp combines writing accountability and professional development in an informal setting for scholars studying legislative politics. In addition to writing time, we plan to discuss tips for different forms of writing, including grants, book proposals, and reviews, and share statements to "brag about yourself" and your writing progress. All ranks of scholars are welcome to participate. You are not required to attend every session in order to register, so feel free to come when you can!

To attend, please register here: https://forms.gle/FDMou871JFAwHNgz6

Past Writing Workshops
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2024 Women in Legislative Studies Writing Workshop
When: August 12th-15th, 1:30-3:30 pm ET
Our multi-day summer writing bootcamp, held August 12th-15th, combines writing accountability and professional development in an informal setting for scholars studying legislative politics. All ranks of scholars are welcome to participate.

2023 Women in Legislative Studies Writing Workshop
When: August 7th-10th, 1:30-3:30 pm ET
Our multi-day summer writing bootcamp, held August 7th-10th, combines writing accountability and professional development in an informal setting, providing an accountability mechanism and networking for scholars studying legislative politics. All ranks of scholars are welcome to participate!

2022 Women in Legislative Studies Writing Workshop
When: August 8th-11th, 1:30-4:00 pm ET
This week-long writing workshop, August 8th-11th, combines writing accountability and professional development in an informal setting, providing an accountability mechanism and networking for scholars studying legislative politics. All ranks of scholars are welcome to participate.  This year's workshop, "Fund It and Publish It!" will be a great opportunity to join the community of women scholars of legislative politics, to troubleshoot resources for scholars, tackle collective challenges, and make progress on getting your research out there.
 
Daily Schedule
August 8th: Fund It -- Guest: Janna Deitz, Kluge Center, 3:30pm
We are building a list of grant and funding opportunities! Half the battle is knowing what is out there and how to apply! 
August 9th: Fund It -- Guest: TBD
Contracts and Applied Projects. Navigating new or alternative funding structures that can be both a benefit and burden to scholars.
August 10th: Publish It -- Guest: LaGina Gause, University of California San Diego
Making the most of a book workshop? Options for how to organize, where to be in the process, and moving a dissertation or big project toward publication. 
August 11th: Publish It -- Guests: Sarah Binder, George Washington University/Brookings Institution/ The Monkey Cage and Jennifer Victor, George Mason University/ Mischiefs of Faction, 3:15pm 
Publishing your work OUTSIDE academia can be stressful.  Let's talk about how to make front-facing work less stressful and more impactful. 

​2021 Women in Legislative Studies Writing Workshop
When: July 26-29th, 2021
This week-long writing workshop, July 26-29th, will combine writing accountability and professional development in an informal setting, providing an accountability mechanism and networking for scholars studying legislative politics. All ranks of scholars are welcome to participate. This workshop will be a great opportunity to join the community of women scholars of legislative politics, to troubleshoot new work, tackle collective challenges, and make progress on research. 

Daily Schedule
July 26th: Organizing and Goal Setting
What do you do to set expectations and manage your schedule/research/data? How do you find collaborators and resources for kick-ass (ass-kicking) projects?
July 27th: Networking and Conferences
What are your important academic communities and how can people get involved? What works/what doesn’t/and why the business meeting is important?
July 28th: Care and Careers
How do we find the precarious balance between self-care, caring for families, and research?
July 29th: Real Talk
Sharing career highs, low, and cheering the people that make it possible.