CISS Hosts Op-Ed Writing Workshop on December 12
Social science research has the power to influence social policy, improve human lives, and contribute to public good. Yet, research findings that are buried in academic journals often fail to have broader real-world impact. Many BU social scientists are doing effective public scholarship, writing op-eds for high-visibility media outlets and engaging in public conversations about cutting-edge issues.
Learn from BU social scientists how to pitch, frame, and write an effective op-ed. Experts from CAS and BU Public Relations and Communications provide information on how to gain access to platforms like The Conversation, and how to cultivate relationships with editors to place your work. The event will be held on Tuesday December 12 from 3:30-5 pm via Zoom (Register here.)
Social scientist panelists are:
Bahar Aldanmaz Fidan
, PhD candidate, sociology. She has written for Ms. and other publications, and is a public voices fellow advocating for the rights of women and girls, collaborating with The OpEd Project and Equality Now.
Gavin Benke 
is a senior lecturer in the Writing Program who teaches courses in public writing. He is an expert on the history of capitalism, and publishes widely in media outlets including the Washington Post’s Made by History series.
Joseph Harris
, associate professor of sociology and CISS affiliate. He is an expert in global health and health policy. He is a contributor to major media outlets, including National Public Radio,the Washington Post, The Progressive, and more.
Rachel Nolan
, assistant professor of international relations and CISS affiliate. A historian of modern Latin America, her writings have appeared in Harper’s Magazine, the New York Times, the London Review of Books, and more.
BU media specialist panelists are:
Sydney Gross,
CAS Associate Dean of Communications. She develops, executes and oversees communications strategies and activities for CAS. She works closely with CISS to increase the visibility of BU social science faculty and students.
Katherine Gianni
, assistant director of public relations. BU. She executes public relations campaigns across traditional and digital media to promote BU research and faculty expertise.
The session will be moderated by Deborah Carr, professor of sociology and CISS director, and Arianne Chernock, professor of history and associate dean of the faculty for social sciences. Dr. Carr’s writings have appeared in CNN, The Conversation, The Hill, Psychology Today, and more. Dr. Chernock has written for Cognoscenti, The Conversation, Ms,, The Washington Post, and more.