Scientific Writing

Project for workshops on writing scientific papers

EASE sponsors short workshops on writing scientific papers, as announced in European Science Editing. The workshops are mainly given in Eastern Europe, with EASE paying the expenses of the workshop leader. Workshops have already been held in Croatia, Czech Republic, Poland (2), Romania, Russian Federation (3), Slovakia and Slovenia (presenters Elisabeth Heseltine, Charles Hollingworth, Liz Wager and Vivian Wyatt).

The aims of the workshops and the steps needed to set them up are described here. Those who would like to present or benefit from such workshops are asked to send the necessary information to:

Professor Elisabeth Heseltine 
Lajarthe 
24290 St Léon-sur-Vézère, France; 
Fax +33 (0) 553 50 70 16, 
Email heseltin@club-internet.fr

with a copy to:

Sheila Evered
Secretary, EASE
PO Box 6159
Reading RG19 9DE, UK
Tel/Fax: +44 (0) 118 970 0322
Email secretary@ease.org.uk


Overall aim of workshops
Workshops lasting less than one week on writing scientific papers are given, the aim being to expand the possibilities for scientists in all geographical locations to get good results published. The workshops will be mainly for scientists whose mother tongue is not English and whose tradition of scientific writing may be different from that considered acceptable by British and American scientific journals. The aim of the workshops is to give those scientists information on the structure of a scientific paper that will make their work more likely to be accepted by the journal of their choice; the emphasis is not on language.

It is essential that the workshops do not give the impression of imposing a hegemony on style. The scientific writing style used in countries other than the UK and the USA is not "wrong". The job of the workshop leaders is to help scientists who wish to be published in British and American journals to get their articles accepted. This concept must be understood and accepted by workshop leaders; they are expected to be respectful of and attuned to cultural differences, and they should not try to impose anything that is not necessary to the aim of the workshop. (A prime example of a practice that is not essential to getting a paper published is insisting on the use of first names in a workshop: in many countries, only close family members address each other by their first names.)


Steps necessary for setting up the workshops
EASE members who are potential workshop leaders should provide information on any short workshops they have given, or are planning to give, with details of their content, length and a list of places where they have been given.

1. Potential clients should also make contact with EASE; suggestions are welcomed from those wishing to have such courses as well as from those who give courses.
2. The workshops will be evaluated. Initially, a detailed plan of the workshop is assessed by people experienced in giving such workshops. Any evaluations or references that a potential workshop leader has received previously would be helpful.
3. The lists of workshop leaders and clients are then be matched on the basis of course content, clients' expectations and geographical locations.
4. Once the leaders and clients have been matched, they work out all practical details between themselves. The workshop leader is responsible for ensuring the availability of the necessary handouts, audiovisual tools, etc.
5. At the end of a workshop, the leader distributes evaluation forms, then collects the forms and sends the originals to EASE (to the Secretary and Elisabeth Heseltine).
6. The client (institute or organization) will also be asked to send EASE an appreciation of the workshop.