From PhD candidate to publication: Peter Griffith on the importance of writing skills
With the courses he offers for In'to Languages, Peter Griffith has already helped countless PhD candidates improve their writing skills. And with success: participants consistently rate him a 9.4 as a teacher! We asked Peter why writing skills are so crucial for PhD candidates. And is this actually still the case now that you can get more and more done with AI?
Eye-opener
Peter teaches several courses at In'to, but Scientific Writing and Writing Grant Proposals are among the most popular. He sees writing as an indispensable skill: “Science that’s not written down is like science that didn't happen. Many PhD candidates think they should just be able to write papers, often in a language that’s not their mother tongue.”
In the Scientific Writing course, Peter covers topics such as the structure, flow and logic of a paper. But above all, he wants to make participants aware that writing is a process: “It doesn't have to go well straight away; it's normal to write multiple drafts. That’s an eye-opener for many people, one that also helps build self-confidence.”
Lasting impact
Peter's passion for teaching is clear. “I enjoy imparting knowledge and hearing that people gain a lot from my classes.” Sometimes this can happen even years later: “Some of my students are now professors themselves. I recently ran into someone who said: ‘I still use your course. I tell my PhD candidates to read your slides before they start their first paper.’ So even though I don't always see that I made a difference, these are the moments that keep me motivated. Of course, it is also great to hear afterwards that someone was offered a grant. A well-written application greatly increases your chances of getting one.”
The impact of AI
Are writing skills still important with all the AI tools that can help us with this these days? Peter believes so: “Writing sharpens your thinking skills. AI tools are great for things like a literature review, revision, or sparring. But by writing, you make the literature your own, you make connections, and you give meaning to your research findings. These are skills you will always need, even if you join a company or an NGO.”
Misunderstanding
Finally, Peter has a valuable tip for all PhD candidates: seek support from other PhD candidates during the PhD process. “There’s this misconception that writing is a lonely process. Find a writing partner or a writing group and agree to produce something for each meeting. That way, you keep momentum in your writing process and you stay in touch with your subject – even if you write rubbish. This helps tremendously with motivation, which is key to successfully completing your PhD.”
Are you a PhD candidate and would you also like to take a writing course?