Dr Palmer's Writing Circles

Develop as an academic writer

Structured online writing programmes for undergraduate and postgraduate students and researchers

Dr Palmer's Writing Circles are structured online programmes combining expert teaching, practical application and supportive community — without adding assignments to your workload.

You develop the skills and habits behind strong academic writing and apply them directly to the work you are already doing: assignments, dissertations, research proposals, literature reviews and other academic writing.

There are no additional essays or assignments to complete. Instead, you bring the work you are already doing as part of your degree.

Whether you're working on your first university essay, developing a Master's dissertation or simply want to become a more confident and capable academic writer, Dr Palmer's Writing Circles help you develop the discipline and skills behind strong academic writing. Dr Palmer's Writing Studio provides a dedicated work time and quiet accountability, pairing effectively with the Writing Circles.

Dr Palmer's Writing Circles are £15 per month

Dr Palmer's Writing Studio is £5 per month

Undergraduate Writing Circle

Build the foundations for confident academic writing.

University writing requires more than demonstrating that you understand your course material. You need to develop an argument, work effectively with academic sources, analyse and evaluate ideas, and communicate your thinking clearly.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in academia and extensive experience providing constructive feedback on undergraduate writing across disciplines, the Undergraduate Writing Circle provides structured teaching in the core skills of academic writing, helping you approach your assignments with greater confidence and independence.

Example curriculum

Autumn — Becoming a University Writer

Becoming a University Writer
What Is the Question Really Asking?
AI and University Writing: If, When and How
From Information to Argument
Reading to Think: Working with Academic Sources
Using Sources Without Losing Your Argument
From Description to Analysis
What Does “Critical” Really Mean?
Building Coherent Academic Writing
Revising as a Writer

The programme continues throughout the academic year, developing more sophisticated academic writing skills and applying them to different types of university work.

The teaching stays consistent. Your application changes according to what you are working on. Bring your own assignments, readings, drafts and questions to the Circle and apply what you learn directly to your degree.

The Circle community also provides an opportunity to suggest topics and raise particular challenges you'd like to explore.

£15 / month

Postgraduate Writing Circle

Develop the thinking and writing skills expected at postgraduate level.

Postgraduate writing requires more than demonstrating knowledge. You need to develop sophisticated arguments, synthesise and critically evaluate scholarship, position your ideas within the literature, and communicate complex thinking with clarity and authority.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in academia, research and academic publishing, the Postgraduate Writing Circle provides structured teaching in advanced academic and research writing, helping you develop as an independent postgraduate writer.

Example curriculum

Autumn — Developing as a Postgraduate Academic Writer

What Makes Postgraduate Writing Different?
From Question to Argument
AI and Academic Writing: If, When and How
Thinking Through Structure
Reading as a Writer: Synthesis
Evidence, Authority and Scholarly Position
Criticality: Evaluating Ideas and Arguments
Scholarly Voice and Positioning
From Ideas to Coherent Prose
Introductions, Conclusions and Significance

The programme continues throughout the academic year, moving into research, dissertation and thesis writing, while developing the skills needed for increasingly independent academic work.

The teaching stays consistent, though your application of the skills changes according to what you are working on. Bring your own assignments, research, drafts, literature reviews, proposals, dissertations or thesis writing to the Circle and apply what you learn directly to your work.

The optional Postgraduate Circle community also provides an opportunity to suggest topics and raise particular challenges you'd like to explore.

£15 / month

Academic Writing Studio

Dedicated time to get your academic work done.

The Academic Writing Studio is a supportive online space for students, researchers and academics who want to make consistent progress with their writing and research.

There is no teaching and no additional work to complete.

Instead, you have dedicated 40-minute focus sessions, gentle accountability and the opportunity to work alongside others — a simple form of online body doubling.

Each session

0–5 minutes — Set your intention
Join the session and, if you wish, share what you plan to work on, either privately with me or in the group chat.

5–35 minutes — Focused work
Quiet, focused academic work.

35–40 minutes — Check in.
Option to share how your writing went and set your next writing goal.

The Studio is designed to fit around your schedule. Each week you'll have access to a 40-minute focus session that you can use at a time that suits you. During term time, you will receive prompts to schedule your session, optional accountability through sharing your goal setting and encouragement through the optional private WhatsApp community.

During university holidays your membership continues with recorded 40-minute focus sessions and resources available. Writing and goal setting prompts and community accountability will typically fall at the start and end of holiday periods, respectively.

Whether you are writing an essay, dissertation, thesis, article, proposal or simply trying to make regular progress, the Studio gives you protected time to sit down, focus and move your work forward.

Make time for your academic work.

£5 / month

[Join the Academic Writing Studio]