Improving together: better science writing through peer learning
Mathew A. Stiller-Reeve1,*,Céline Heuzé2,3,William T. Ball4,Rachel H. White5,Gabriele Messori6,Karin van der Wiel3,Iselin Medhaug7,Annemarie H. Eckes8,Amee O'Callaghan3,Mike J. Newland3,Sian R. Williams9,Matthew Kasoar9,Hella Elisa Wittmeier10,and Valerie Kumer11Mathew A. Stiller-Reeve et al. Mathew A. Stiller-Reeve1,*,Céline Heuzé2,3,William T. Ball4,Rachel H. White5,Gabriele Messori6,Karin van der Wiel3,Iselin Medhaug7,Annemarie H. Eckes8,Amee O'Callaghan3,Mike J. Newland3,Sian R. Williams9,Matthew Kasoar9,Hella Elisa Wittmeier10,and Valerie Kumer11
1Uni Research Climate, Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Bergen, Norway
2Department of Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
3Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Received: 08 Jan 2016 – Discussion started: 19 Jan 2016 – Revised: 10 Jun 2016 – Accepted: 13 Jun 2016 – Published: 21 Jul 2016
Abstract. Science, in our case the climate and geosciences, is increasingly interdisciplinary. Scientists must therefore communicate across disciplinary boundaries. For this communication to be successful, scientists must write clearly and concisely, yet the historically poor standard of scientific writing does not seem to be improving. Scientific writing must improve, and the key to long-term improvement lies with the early-career scientist (ECS). Many interventions exist for an ECS to improve their writing, like style guides and courses. However, momentum is often difficult to maintain after these interventions are completed. Continuity is key to improving writing.
This paper introduces the ClimateSnack project, which aims to motivate ECSs to develop and continue to improve their writing and communication skills. The project adopts a peer-learning framework where ECSs voluntarily form writing groups at different institutes around the world. The group members learn, discuss, and improve their writing skills together.
Several ClimateSnack writing groups have formed. This paper examines why some of the groups have flourished and others have dissolved. We identify the challenges involved in making a writing group successful and effective, notably the leadership of self-organized groups, and both individual and institutional time management. Within some of the groups, peer learning clearly offers a powerful tool to improve writing as well as bringing other benefits, including improved general communication skills and increased confidence.
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Scientific writing must improve and the key to long-term improvement of scientific writing lies with the early-career scientist (ECS). We introduce the ClimateSnack project, which aims to motivate ECSs to start writing groups around the world to improve their skills together. Writing groups offer many benefits but can be a challenge to keep going. Several ClimateSnack writing groups formed, and this paper examines why some of the groups flourished and others dissolved.
Scientific writing must improve and the key to long-term improvement of scientific writing lies...