Public discourse in our country is louder — and more important — than ever. However, the vast majority of newspaper op-ed writers, Sunday talk show guests and Wikipedia contributors represent majority groups.

To help elevate and empower the best ideas from our diverse and accomplished faculty, Wayne State University will host another “Write to Change the World” seminar from The OpEd Project. The seminar, sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Marketing and Communications, will be hosted via Zoom from 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11 and Friday, Nov. 13. 

Twenty faculty will be selected to attend the virtual seminar. Apply for one of the spots by filling out this short application by Friday, Oct. 16. Please only apply if you are available both days.

The interactive workshop will explore how credibility works and how to establish it; how to present ideas quickly and powerfully under pressure; when and why people change their minds; the difference between being “right” and being effective; and strategies for greater impact, including how to escape a pigeonhole, how to preach beyond the choir and the power in seeing your ideas as part of a bigger picture. Participants leave with an outline of an op-ed in hand, plus access to OpEd Project journalist mentors for individual follow up.

The OpEd Project has seen impressive results, both nationally and on campus. Wayne State faculty who have participated in previous seminars have successfully written op-eds or articles that were published by local and national media outlets, including The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, The Conversation, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Bridge, The Washington Post, the Supreme Court of the United States blog and beyond.

To learn more about The OpEd Project, visit theopedproject.org. For questions about Wayne State’s upcoming “Write to Change the World” seminar, contact Katie McMillan at katie.mcmillan@wayne.edu.