Writing is an essential skill in academia, yet many early-career researchers find it challenging. In this column, Isabelle Kohler shares her personal relationship with writing and offers practical advice to help researchers transform writing from a daunting task into a rewarding practice.

Writing remains one of the cornerstones of academia. Whether it’s a report during your studies, a scientific paper, a conference abstract, a thesis, or a grant proposal during your PhD and beyond – the written word carries our ideas into the world. Yet in my experience, written assignments are among the most challenging tasks for many students and PhD candidates. They struggle with creating coherent structures, using appropriate terminology, and telling stories that are simultaneously interesting, scientific, and accurate. It’s no surprise that many don’t enjoy writing given these challenges.