This highly interactive workshop for STEM professionals and gender equality advocates builds leadership capacity, enhances credibility and extends influence. It provides participants with the confidence and tools to contribute their expertise and vision to the public discourse through compelling, short-form written commentary - for newspaper op ed pages, blogs, newsletters and online sites. This engaging 3 hour session will equip you to:

• Own and articulate your authority as an expert

• Recognize and address the systemic undervaluing of women’s expertise by both society and women themselves

• Understand the difference between speaking for yourself versus speaking on behalf of an organization

• Understand the essential elements and format of effective commentaries

• Learn how to build a concise, persuasive and accessible argument to engage your target audience

• Increase and extend your influence by linking your expertise with current issues to enhance the relevance and timeliness of your knowledge

• Submit your work to online, media and print editors

Writing Compelling Commentary is an interactive workshop that walks participants through applying a series of steps and tools to a specific topic that they would like to engage a broader audience. You’ll be expected to arrive at the session with:

• A topic relevant to your context or organization (e.g. a current issue in STEM, a way to advance gender equality, how to overcome a barrier to success, a policy you want to advocate for, a global issue that needs attention)

• An understanding of what you want people to think or believe after reading your op ed or blog article

• A one-sentence “thesis statement” about your topic (e.g. “Advancing more women in STEM has a measurable impact on research innovation”; “Diversity policies need to create an inclusive workplace culture where everyone can thrive”; “Taking action on climate change requires more than small, incremental steps”)

During the workshop, you will have the opportunity to write sections of your compelling commentary, so if you prefer to compose material on a keyboard, please bring your laptop (well-charged due to limited power outlets in the room).

Date: Feb 12, 2020
Time: 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Cost: $20-$50
Location: Atrium - Room 825 (8th Floor)
BCIT Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 3H6
Register: here