UEW Communication Instruction Students Undergo Two-Day Writing Bootcamp

Dr. Naa Korkor L. Watson-Nortey, Head of the Department, underscored the rationale behind the bootcamp, explaining that postgraduate studies encompass more than coursework and thesis writing. She emphasised that students often encounter “hidden yet unavoidable elements” that shape the quality and enjoyment of their academic journey.

According to her, the Department curated the bootcamp to expose students to best practices in writing, ethical research requirements, quality assurance expectations and emotional intelligence as a crucial competency for successful postgraduate work.

“This year, instead of receiving only progress reports from students, we decided to organise a colloquium-style writing camp to improve on what students know, address the gaps they may have, and offer hands-on coaching from experts,” she said. She noted that the poster exhibition at the foyer reflected the students’ current stages in their research and symbolised a commitment to transparency, accountability and excellence in postgraduate research.

Dr. Naa Watson-Nortey urged students to internalise the insights gained from the camp. “Let us carry the lessons from these two days into the rest of our academic journey. Writing at the postgraduate level should not be a burden but an exciting process of creating knowledge,” she advised.

Day One of the bootcamp featured enriching presentations from distinguished facilitators. Prof. Patricia Mawusi Amos and Dr. Samuel Ofori Danquah led a highly interactive session on “Emotional Intelligence at the Postgraduate Level,” providing students with tools for managing stress, navigating supervisor–student relationships, maintaining academic discipline and building resilience throughout their research journey. Their presentation underscored the necessity of emotional stability and reflective practice in sustaining academic productivity.

This was followed by an in-depth session on Writing for Ethical Protocols delivered by Dr. Yaw Asamoah who guided participants through the complex processes of designing ethically sound research projects. He outlined requirements for postgraduate ethical approval, common pitfalls in proposal writing and the values of integrity, consent, confidentiality and academic honesty.

The second day of the training continued with equally insightful engagements. Prof. Emma Sarah Eshun delivered a presentation on “Quality Postgraduate Studies,” drawing attention to the expectations of quality assurance in postgraduate education, the construction of rigorous academic arguments and the importance of methodological transparency. She encouraged students to embrace academic diligence, intellectual curiosity and scholarly integrity as defining values of postgraduate work.

This was followed by a thought-provoking presentation from Prof. Akwasi Kwarteng Amoako-Gyampah on “Crafting Knowledge: Conceptualising Research Topics and Structuring a Thesis.” He broke down the process of transforming a research idea into a coherent academic study, clarifying how students can craft strong conceptual frameworks, structure their chapters and create meaningful academic contributions. His session also addressed issues such as narrowing research gaps, ensuring coherence in academic writing and embedding originality in thesis development.

Beyond the expert presentations, the bootcamp featured practical writing clinics during which students worked directly with facilitators using their ongoing theses and research topics. Participants refined research problems, revisited objectives, strengthened conceptual and theoretical frameworks and received immediate feedback on writing clarity and structure.

The hands-on sessions also equipped participants with techniques for converting postgraduate research into publishable journal articles, an increasing expectation in contemporary academic environments.

Students expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity, describing the sessions as eye-opening, confidence-building and timely in addressing both theoretical and practical challenges they encounter in their studies. Many participants also lauded the Department for creating a supportive environment that encourages academic growth and fosters collaboration among postgraduate students.

The Department of Communication Instruction reiterated its resolve to continue supporting postgraduate students through such targeted interventions, reinforcing UEW’s institutional mission of producing high-calibre researchers, communicators and educators.