Stay up to date with the Graduate Writing and Presenting Lab’s programs and other graduate student events.
Do you have a question or suggestion about a GWPL event or service? Contact us!
Spring 2026 Events
Workshops and Programs
APA Citation Essentials: Formatting and Best Practice
Tuesday, January 22, 2026 / 3:00PM-4:00PM
Hosted by Molly Robinson
Zoom / Register Here
Properly citing sources is fundamental to your research. If you haven’t worked on academic writing before, or if you would just like a refresher, this workshop is for you! We will discuss when and how to cite using the American Psychological Society (APA) style, which is used across many disciplines. We will also cover citation management and other resources for creating and citing your bibliography.
Apps for Surviving Grad School
Tuesday, January 27, 2026 / 12:00PM-1:00PM
Hosted by Jordan Scott
Zoom / Register Here
Grad school demands more than hard work—it requires systems. This session is a fast-paced tour of apps designed to support the many moving parts of graduate life. In this survey, we’ll give an overview of tools for planning and organization; reading and annotation; research and citation; writing and revision; focus and accountability; backup and file management; and even aspects of life outside coursework, such as finances and mental health. Come for the app recommendations; leave with a practical toolkit for surviving grad school.
Developing Confidence in Your Writing And Outlining Process
Wednesday, January 28, 2026 / 11:00AM-12:00PM
Hosted by Tia Hines and the UConn Graduate School
Zoom / Register Here
Almost all graduate students experience feelings of anxiety and frustration when it comes to writing. How can you distinguish your words and ideas from previously published scholars? How can you develop confidence in your own insights and perspectives, and express those ideas in writing? Writing consultant and English PhD candidate Tia Hines will lead this workshop on overcoming writing anxiety and developing confidence in your writing and outlining processes. This workshop, hosted by the Graduate Writing & Presenting Lab, is a joint session with UConn Graduate School.
Zotero, Your Personal Research Assistant and Citation Manager
Thursday, February 12, 2026 / 11:00AM-12:00PM
Hosted by Molly Robinson
Zoom / Register Here
Need help managing your citations? Join the Graduate Writing and Presenting Lab for a workshop on learning how to manage your research and citations with Zotero, a free citation management software.
Writing Your Conference Abstract
Tuesday, February 17, 2026 / 11:00AM-12:00PM
Hosted by Meng Gao
Zoom / Register Here
Writing a strong abstract is the first step to showcasing your research. In this session, graduate students will learn how to draft a clear, compelling conference abstract, with tips on structure, clarity, and audience engagement.
Overcoming Impostor Syndrome
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 / 11:00AM-12:00PM
Hosted by Jordan Scott
Zoom / Register Here
Do you ever feel like you don’t belong, like you’re a phony or undeserving of success, or that others are doing better? If any of this sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone. Impostor Syndrome (a psychological phenomenon in which people doubt their skills and worry that they will be exposed as a fraud) impacts many graduate students. In this talk, we will discuss how to recognize Impostorism inside ourselves, practice self-awareness and self-compassion, and learn how to approach our academic goals with the feeling that we are competent, able, and working as our genuine, authentic selves.
Preparing Your Conference Poster
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 / 11:00AM-12:00PM
Hosted by Meng Gao
Zoom / Register Here
As a graduate student, presenting your research at conferences and showcases is a key part of your academic journey. This session offers practical tips and strategies to help you clearly communicate your work and confidently present your scientific poster to scholars in your field.
Strategies for Reimagining Productivity: More Self Care = Less Stress
Tuesday, March 31, 2026 / 10:00AM-11:00AM
Hosted by Jordan Scott
Zoom / Register Here
As grad students, when we discuss productivity, we talk about tricks like “doing your hardest task first” or “reducing multitasking.” These tips can be useful, but another way to be a more effective scholar, teacher, and researcher is to reduce the stressors that can make us feel helpless and inert in the first place. In this program, we’ll talk about self-care activities, how an improved mood can lead to improved productivity, and how carving out time for yourself can reduce overall burnout.
Intro to NSF GRFP Session
Friday, April 24, 2026 / 11:00AM-12:00PM
Zoom / Register Here
Are you a graduate student in your first year in a STEM-based discipline? Or an undergraduate junior or senior or recent college graduate? Are you interested in three years of funding while in grad school? Are you a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident? Then please join us for an informational session about the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP)! In this information session we will discuss the program, eligibility, and how to prepare a strong application.
Note: We will run an NSF GRFP writing group in Summer 2026 where you can work on the application and receive feedback from peers and our GWPL consultants.
Making Your Summer Break Count
Thursday, April 23, 2026 / 1:00PM-2:00PM
Hosted by Jordan Scott
Zoom / Register Here
Summer break offers us a much-needed rest from academic responsibilities, but it’s also an opportune time to catch up (or get ahead) on our academic projects. Join the Graduate Writing & Presenting Lab as we discuss topics ranging from finding balance between relaxation and production, planning out for the upcoming academic year, overcoming exhaustion and unstructured time, and getting some summer writing/work done.
Spring 2026 Writing Retreats
Bay Campus Writing Retreat
Friday, April 24th / 10:00AM-1:00PM
In-Person at Coastal Institute Large Conference room, Bay Campus
Register Here
Do you need some late-semester accountability to work on a writing project? A term paper, dissertation chapter, or perhaps even make a plan for using your summer break effectively? Join us for some or all of this jam session where you can bring any writing project and come work in a space with like-minded students! Coffee, tea, and light continental breakfast fare will be provided. No registration is required, but please consider signing up so we can anticipate how much food to order. If you have any questions while you’re writing, a Graduate Writing & Presenting Lab consultant will be available to chat with you.
Providence Writing Retreat
Thursday, April 30th / 9:00AM-1:00PM
In-Person at RINEC Room 326 / 350 Eddy St, Providence, RI 02903
Register Here
Do you need some late-semester accountability to work on a writing project? A term paper, dissertation chapter, or perhaps even make a plan for using your summer break effectively? Join us for some or all of this jam session where you can bring any writing project and come work in a space with like-minded students! Coffee, tea, and light continental breakfast fare will be provided. No registration is required, but please consider signing up so we can anticipate how much food to order. If you have any questions while you’re writing, a Graduate Writing & Presenting Lab consultant will be available to chat with you.
Please note: the area around RINEC in Providence has street parking, but there are no commuter lots for URI students. RINEC does however have its own paid parking garage at 330 Eddy Street (South Street Landing Garage) just behind the South Street Landing building on the same side. There are a few different parking garages in the area—the correct garage has large black & white historical photos on the outside & is located on the same side of Eddy Street as SSL. Additionally, when you arrive at RINEC, you may need to check in at the front security desk to let them know you are there to attend a writing retreat.
Summer 2026 Writing Groups
We are currently gauging interest for our Summer 2026 Writing Groups. Please fill out one of the forms below to express your interest and availability. We should have our schedule finalized by the end of May 2026. Please keep an eye on this page (and our weekly emails) for forthcoming updates about our writing groups at the Graduate Writing and Presenting Lab.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program Writing Group
June and/or July 2026 (dates forthcoming)
This writing group will take place entirely online.
Sign Up Here
The Fulbright Program is a prestigious international exchange initiative funded by the U.S. government that supports students, scholars, and professionals in studying, researching, or teaching abroad. It aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and collaboration by placing participants in countries around the world to engage in academic work and community exchange. If you’re interested in the Study/Research grant (whether Academic or Creative/Performing Arts), please sign up for our writing and accountability group to work through generating and editing important application components such as the Statement of Grant Purpose. Please note: there are other required components that you might need to initiate in advance of our group, such as the Affiliation Letter, and you are highly encouraged to review the application components and/or make an appointment with Keegan Scott (Director of the Office for Fellowships at URI) before this writing group begins. Additionally, please make sure you meet the eligibility requirements (for example: “Applicants must be citizens or nationals of the United States of America at the time of the application deadline. Permanent residents are not eligible”). We will be in touch before the end of the Spring 2026 semester to confirm our final writing group calendar for the summer.
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP) Writing Group
June and/or July 2026 (dates forthcoming)
This writing group will take place entirely online.
Sign Up Here
Are you interested in applying for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP)? Since 1952, the program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students who are pursuing full-time research-based master’s and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Consider joining our writing and accountability group this summer, where we will work on generating and editing important application components such as your Graduate Research Plan and Personal, Relevant Background, and Future Goals Statement. Please note: this writing group is intended for those who will be first-year graduate students (master’s or PhD level) at the start of the Fall 2026 semester (graduate students in their second year or beyond are ineligible). If you will be an undergraduate junior or senior in the Fall 2026 semester who is open to working with graduate students and giving/receiving graduate-level feedback, please also consider signing up. Please also note: applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of the application deadline. Permanent residents are not eligible. We will be in touch before the end of the Spring 2026 semester to confirm our final writing group calendar for the summer.
Contact us via email at gradwritingcenter@etal.uri.edu for any questions about our workshops, writing groups, retreats, or any other programs we run.