Venue: online

• Pauline Fritsch, coordinator of this doctoral program and of the MAS-ICM at the University of Neuchâtel, and independent blogger at academiac.net.

This workshop will give you an overview of how to create a blog for yourself, and will also serve as an exercise to reflect together about creating a blog for the doctoral program. You are then welcomed to join may you have your own blog project in mind, or may you only be interested in writing blog posts for a potential DPOB-blog and if you are curious to hear about the overall blog experience.

The workshop will be very practical and interactive. You learn to use the basics of WordPress.com and practice your writing skills.

At the end of the day, you will be able to:

• Clarify your blog project scope
• Identify your purpose and audience.
• Identify some good practices for blog writing.
• Practice writing on a first blog post or on your “About Me” page.
• Learn about technical tools available.
• Set up your free WordPress.com blog.

Some practical tips about self-organization to help you commit to regular posting will also be addressed.

Academic and scientific blogs are becoming more and more popular.

But, as PhD students, why undertaking this path?

Blogging is a unique communication experience through which you can acquire various and valuable transferable skills to carry with you, no matter where your career brings you!

Blogging is a way to:

• figure out your own communication style, beyond academic writing;
• develop your critical thinking by writing on subject you care about;
• make yourself visible and develop your online image;
• find and develop your community, your network;
• develop valuable technical skills linked to website management and social media use.

How to get started? Let’s do it together!

The day will be divided in 4 parts of about 1h30 each:

• Part 1: Introduction and addressing the questions “Why, How, Who, What, When” behind blogging, to clarify your project, and identify your purpose and audience.
• Part 2: Blog Writing & Best Practices, with time to work on your first blog post or your “About Me” page in group.
• Part 3: Let’s Create your Blog on WordPress.com! Practical part on creating your website.
• Part 4: Media, Social Media, toolbox and tips. Final Conclusion: illustrating what was learned throughout the day by applying it to 2 of your blog projects or example scenarios.

Blogging about your PhD research is a great way to take a step back and take a different, less formal, approach to it. You might get new ideas and could use it to get in contact with other researchers in your field.

However, you are welcome to join this workshop no matter on which subject you would like to blog about, including non-scientific topics!

Pre-course preparatory work:

You should come to the workshop with:

• a name for your website,
• an idea of the subject(s) you want to address,
• a first draft of your “About Me” page or of a first blog post.

Post-course assignment:

As a follow-up of the workshop, you will be asked to send a draft of a blog post before December 15, 2020. This can be a post for your own blog or for the potential DPOB-blog. In a group of two, you will be asked to review each other blog posts, and I will also be providing feedback.

Dates: Monday, November 30, 2020

Schedule: 9:00 - 17:00

Venue: online (Zoom)

ECTS: 0.5 (Communication)

Evaluation: Full attendance and active participation

Information: Please contact the doctoral program coordinator.

Registration fee: the course is free.

• This course is free and open to all PhD students, however until 20 November 2020 priority is given to "Interuniversity doctoral program in organismal biology" participants.
• Post-docs are welcome as long as places are available.
• Maximum number of participants: 10 people (minimum 6 people).

Registration through the web only: closed.

Please note the cancellation policy (CHF 50).

Deadline: 20 November 2020