Writing support is available for those who are familiar and comfortable with academic writing but would like to take this to the next level; for those who are coming to academic writing for the first time (or returning to studies after a long time) and would like to build confidence; for those for whom English is not their primary language; and for scientific writing.
Events and activities
Individual support
- Talk to your Tutor/Director of Studies about accessing some individual support. Then please contact your chosen advisor directly by email to organise an appointment.
Writing Advisors in Arts and Humanities
- Dr Rebecca Varley-Winter is a writer and researcher, whose area of expertise is Romantic literature to the present. She meets undergraduate and Master’s students for one-to-one supervisions that focus on how to improve style, structure, grammar, argument and referencing. Although her own field is English Literature, she can help students from any subject in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Email Rebecca directly to make an appointment for an online session.
- Portia Ungley is a poet, writer and post qualitative researcher with many years experience of supporting post- and under-graduate essay development and writing. She is also an expert in developing time management strategies and busting procrastination. She is neurodiverse friendly, and offers sessions remotely on Zoom or Teams.
- Frances Foster is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Faculty of Education. She can help students with organising their ideas and planning essays, and with managing short-term memory deficit and cognitive overload. She is available to meet (by pre-arrangement) on Monday-Wednesday in her office in the Mary Allan Building.
Writing Advisor in the Sciences
- Dr Paul Elliott is Director of Studies in Biology and Scientific Admissions Tutor at Homerton, and a Bye-Fellow at Selwyn College. His research focuses on the biology and control of aquatic pest species such as the notorious zebra mussel. Paul is also an interviewer for students wanting to take the Natural Sciences course at the University of Cambridge and supervises the first year 'Evolution and Behaviour' course.
General Writing Advisors
- Dr Jon Phelan is a Director of Studies (in Philosophy and Theology) and Undergraduate Tutor at Homerton and can offer advice to students whose first language is not English, tips on essay writing and help with organisation and time management.
- Dr Nik Petek-Sargeant is a researcher in archaeology and anthropology and a consultant on digital heritage issues. Nik is available for personalised supervisions to help you improve your writing style, structure and argumentation in your essays, funding and other applications. He can also offer advice to those who struggle with English as their second language.
Online and self-led support
- CamGuides for undergraduate students
- CamGuides for Masters’ students
- Researcher Development for PhD students
- Libguide on Academic Writing. Provided by Wolfson College. Tips on essay writing within the arts, humanities and social sciences. Videos on academic writing, how to write an abstract and how to reduce your word count. Downloadable resources such as a structuring an essay checklist.
- Royal Literary Fund Essay writing tool. Set up by the Royal Literary Fund. A tool you can use to get from notes to a final draft. You can work through the steps and save your progress as you go. Really useful for building good essay writing habits and especially useful for Foundation Year students and Undergraduates.
- The Academic Phrasebank from the University of Manchester.
- The Duke Graduate School Scientific Writing Resource.
- ‘Tackling the Philosophy Essay: A Student Guide’. Resource from the Faculty of Philosophy.
