Writing for Academia/Writing for Policy: Methods, Skills and Techniques

General Overview

This short course is designed to enhance the participants' writing abilities for both the academic and policy contexts. It focuses on methods, skills, and techniques required to craft compelling and well-structured texts. Participants will explore how to address diverse audiences, improve clarity, sharpness and precision, and develop evidence-based arguments. Special attention is dedicated to improving skills in writing academic abstracts for publications and drafting project proposals for doctoral applications. The practical activities are organized to provide individual support, ensuring personalized feedback on the participants' drafts. The course is ideal for researchers, professionals, and students aiming to excel in written communication within academic and policy-making environments.

Read the course programme

Training objectives

This online course has the following specific objectives:
1) Deepen knowledge of research practices and methodologies, such as critical source analysis.
2) Gain familiarity with tools and techniques for drafting research-based texts in the social sciences (particularly in Political Science, International Relations, and the History of International Relations).
3) Develop soft skills such as academic and policy writing and editing.

The course (entirely in English) will be held online via Zoom, where participants will attend lessons, interact with instructors, and engage in workshop activities. Teachers and instructors are subject-matter experts and researchers.

Attend the course "Writing for Academia/Writing for Policy: Methods, Skills and Techniques" and two other IAI courses of your choice to earn the Advanced Certificate in "International Policy Analyst".

Target Audience

1) Master’s students, especially (but not limited to) in the fields such as International Relations, European Studies, International Development, and Political Science;
2) Recent graduates and young professionals interested in working in the fields of academic and policy research, who wish to deepen their knowledge of innovative writing and reporting methodologies (e.g., for drafting research and doctoral proposals);
3) Researchers and analysts looking to further improve their writing skills and make their texts more effective.

Participants will receive assistance and tutoring throughout the course. No specific prerequisites are required to attend.

How to Enroll

To enroll in the course, you must complete the online registration form selecting the course of interest.

The enrollment fee for the "Writing for Academia/Writing for Policy: Methods, Skills and Techniques" course is €399.00 (VAT included)..

Discounts are available:
- 10% for IAI junior members and Lazio Youth Card holders (course fee: €359.10 VAT included);
- 15% for Ministry of Defense employees (course fee: €339.15 VAT included).

Additionally, you can secure your place and benefit from Early Application to the Advanced Certificate program, receiving a 15% discount on the total cost.

Read the course attendance regulations here

Credits and Certificates

At the end of the course, a certificate of attendance will be issued to participants who have successfully completed at least 80% of the lessons..

IAI provides the necessary documentation for the recognition of academic credits (CFUs) by the participants' universities for those who have successfully attended at least 80% of the lessons.

For members of the Armed Forces and State Police, IAI offers support for record annotation.

Info and contacts: edu(at)iai.it