Applications are now open for the first Public Scholars Project writing workshop at Wake Forest University. The workshop will be held Friday, January 15, and Saturday, January 16, 2027, at The Graylyn Estate in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Applications are due by end of day Friday, October 9, 2026. Apply for the January 2027 workshop.

This two-day workshop, generously supported by the John Templeton Foundation, is for natural scientists, social scientists, and philosophers who want to communicate their ideas to broad audiences through articles and essays in major media outlets. The workshop is designed to benefit scholars with a range of experience writing for nonacademic readers.

Led by New York Times editor James Ryerson, who has two decades of experience working with and editing academics, the workshop will focus on:

• how to conceptually frame scholarly work for a wider audience;

• how to structure the writing of such pieces; and

• how to most effectively pitch editors at magazines and newspapers.

In a small collaborative setting of approximately 12 participants, attendees will listen to short lectures, engage in discussion, and work on writing and editing exercises, both in groups and directly with Ryerson.

Attendees will bring one draft of a piece, approximately 800–1,200 words, that they might hope to publish.

The workshop will be conducted with the assistance of Lisa Feldman Barrett, who has extensive experience writing about her research in books and articles for the public. During the workshop, Dr. Barrett will provide insights from her experience as a scholar writing for general audiences.

Attendees will leave the workshop with an improved understanding of the editorial process, stronger skills for public writing, and one piece ready for submission to a major media outlet.

After the workshop, participants will have access to an alumni community supported by Joseph Fridman, including help with ideating, pitching, and editing pieces; working in other forms of media such as podcasts; and networking and educational opportunities with writers and editors. Our 200-plus alumni have placed hundreds of op-eds, essays, and columns.

From 2021 through 2026, Beyond the Ivory Tower hosted 15 workshops at Northeastern University in Boston, building on six earlier workshops. A new grant from the John Templeton Foundation will support ten workshops over five years at Wake Forest University.

The workshop will cover attendees’ travel, lodging, meals, airport parking, and related workshop expenses.

Application materials

Applications consist of a portfolio containing:

• Three short descriptions of articles or essays the applicant might like to write, no more than one paragraph each. Successful applicants typically propose pieces addressing what the John Templeton Foundation describes as “Science & the Big Questions” or related topics, rather than narrow matters of domestic politics or public policy.

• A brief writing sample, either a standalone piece or an excerpt from a longer work, academic or popular in style, of no more than 1,500 words.

• A CV.

Applicants must have received or at least defended their Ph.D. by the time of the workshop. Applicants will be selected based on each portfolio’s potential to interest nonacademic readers.

The Line Edit video masterclass, Line Edit interview podcast, and Templeton Ideas blog can help applicants understand the kinds of topics that fit the workshop.

Applications are due by end of day Friday, October 9, 2026. Submit an application.

For questions, please contact Joseph Fridman at jdf256@cornell.edu.