Faculty of Science

Scientific Writing: Writing Groups for Publications
Provider: Faculty of Science

Activity no.: 5800-26-00-00	There are 39 available seats
	Enrollment deadline: 18/01/2026

Place	Department of Chemistry
Date and time	02.02.2026, at: 09:00 - 12.06.2026, at: 16:00
Regular seats	50
Lecturers	Gemma C. Solomon
ECTS credits	5.00

Contact person	Gemma C. Solomon E-mail address: gsolomon@chem.ku.dk

Enrolment Handling/Course Organiser	PhD Administration SCIENCE E-mail address: phdcourses@science.ku.dk

Enrolment guidelines This is a toolbox course where 80% of the seats are reserved to PhD students enrolled at the Faculty of SCIENCE at UCPH and 20% of the seats are reserved to PhD students from other Danish Universities/faculties (except CBS). Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules. Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at a Danish university (except CBS), you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrollment deadline, available seats will be allocated to applicants on the waiting list. Aim and Content A huge part of our work as researchers involves the presentation of our results for general audience, sometimes this is in the form of scientific talks, but more often in the form of scientific papers. In a general scientific education, we receive intensive training in the technical aspects of our discipline, but our training in writing and communication is more often informal. For some people writing comes naturally and is an enjoyable part of the work, but for many others it can be a challenging and frustrating experience. In this course, we will outline the ideas and techniques we have developed over the last 10 years of teaching scientific writing at the University of Copenhagen as well experience as a journal editor. The primary focus will be on the elements involved in writing a scientific article and navigating the publication process. Topics will include: • Managing our expectations of the writing process • The need for scientific storytelling • The use of outlines as a planning and writing tool • Creating effective figures • Writing effective abstracts, introductions, results, and discussions and conclusions • Referencing • The publication process • Writing a cover letter for journal submission • Responding to referees • Strategies for an affective appeal Finally, the course will introduce the idea of writing clubs as a forum where PhD students can provide effective peer feedback on their writing and support each other through the challenges they face. Writing groups have been immensely helpful to PhD students not only because of the feedback they receive, but also because of what they can learn from critically evaluating other students’ writing. As part of the course, we will facilitate the formation of writing groups and writing groups will be expected to meet often. Learning outcomes Intended learning outcome for the students who complete the course: Knowledge: • Understanding the structure of a scientific publication • Understanding of the peer-review process, how to write a cover letter for publication, respond to referees and appeal a journal decision. • how to improve one own’s writing • Identify elements of own writing that require more attention Skills: • be able to give and receive constructive feedback from multiple peers • be able to provide solutions on improving texts • be able to set writing goals and commit to writing routine • be able to iteratively improve own writing • develop effective written communication skills Competences: • be able to participate in collaborative work • how to contribute and share knowledge • build confidence in research and writing ability • develop researcher identity and independence Target Group Any scientific discipline where publications are required. This course is ideal for students who are somewhat established in their projects and are ready to consider writing a first publication. Recommended Academic Qualifications Enrolment in a PhD programme Research Area Any scientific discipline where publications are required. Teaching and Learning Methods A mixture of lectures and group work Type of Assessment At least 80% attendance in writing groups and lectures Literature The Scientist’s Guide to Writing by Stephen B. Heard (2022) Course coordinator Gemma C. Solomon Guest Lecturers Olga Garmash, Department of Chemistry Matthew Teynor, Department of Chemistry Dates 2/2/2026 – 12/6/2026 3 Teaching days in February (February 16-18), 1 teaching day in April (April 17) and 1 teaching day in June (June 12). Writing group meetings: 20 meetings between February and June to be scheduled by the individual writing groups Expected frequency 1-2 times per year Course location North Campus Registration When signing up, please also send an email to Matthew Steven Teynor: mt@chem.ku.dk Course fee • PhD student enrolled at SCIENCE: 0 DKK • PhD student from Danish PhD school Open market: 0 DKK • PhD student from Danish PhD school not Open market: 6000 DKK • PhD student from foreign university: 6000 DKK • Master's student from Danish university: 0 DKK • Master's student from foreign university: 6000 DKK • Non-PhD student employed at a university (e.g., postdocs): 6000 DKK • Non-PhD student not employed at a university (e.g., from a private company): 16.800 DKK Cancellation policy • Cancellations made up to two weeks before the course starts are free of charge. • Cancellations made less than two weeks before the course starts will be charged a fee of DKK 3.000 • Participants with less than 80% attendance cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000 • No-show will result in a fee of DKK 5.000 • Participants who fail to hand in any mandatory exams or assignments cannot pass the course and will be charged a fee of DKK 5.000 Course fee and participant fee PhD courses offered at the Faculty of SCIENCE have course fees corresponding to different participant types. In addition to the course fee, there might also be a participant fee. If the course has a participant fee, this will apply to all participants regardless of participant type - and in addition to the course fee.

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