Writer In Residence

Unlike science journalism residencies, our Writer-in-Residence program is not intended for reporters or science communicators. Instead, it supports creative writers—from poets to playwrights—who are interested in exploring science as a human endeavor through narrative, metaphor, and imagination. The writer is embedded within an interdisciplinary research community and invited to co-create, reflect, and express—not merely report.

This approach allows for greater flexibility in both form and tone, supporting work that doesn’t need to be explanatory or newsworthy, but instead explores the emotional, cultural, and existential dimensions of science. The result is storytelling that brings a distinctly artistic lens to research—perfectly aligned with the mission of the Illuminating Discovery Hub to make science more human, creative, and accessible.

Objectives for WIR-

  • Connect creative writers with interdisciplinary researchers and labs
  • Support the development of new narratives inspired by scientific inquiry
  • Translate complex research into accessible, emotional, or imaginative stories
  • Engage cutting-edge science through the lens of literary and artistic practice
  • Broaden public understanding and appreciation of science through creative writing
  • Elevate underrepresented perspectives and themes in science storytelling

Program Overview

The Writer in Residence program is located at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery within the Discovery Building. Residency appointments timelines and lengths vary depending on writer needs, project scope and scientist availability. The Writer in Residence program supports writers crafting works featuring science within their field (scriptwriting, poetry, playwright, spoken word, music, etc.) The writer residency may be renewable based on previous semester participation and progress.

As the Writer in Residence, writers may have:

  • Access to UW scientists
  • Opportunities to shadow labs
  • Ability to host science inquiries in the Discovery Building and utilize ID hub spaces for writing
  • Access to volunteer student and community actors for closed readings

Expectations for the Writer in Residence:

  • Complete a science-inspired piece
  • Credit the “Writer in Residence” program and institute in publications
  • Submit a one-page reflection on the residency and one-page write-up on a science concept that sparked new curiosity
  • Lead two science writing outreach activities
  • Participate in media highlights or features about the residency

Eligibility:

  • Be a working professional within a storytelling field
  • Experienced in teaching, leading, or hosting storytelling events
  • Actively working on a science-related creative project; demonstration of prior work also acceptable

We are not currently accepting applications but you may contact ahanus2@wisc.edu if you would like more information.

Resident Writer

Michelle Wildgen is the author of the novels Wine People (August 2023, Zibby Books), You’re Not You, But Not For Long, and Bread and Butter, and the editor of the food writing anthology Food & Booze. A former executive editor with the award-winning literary journal Tin House, she is a freelance editor and creative writing teacher in Madison, Wis. Since 2013 she and novelist Susanna Daniel have run the Madison Writers’ Studio, offering a variety of creative writing workshops and classes.

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