Biomedical professionals need to be able to communicate their research proposals and findings effectively in writing. However, most professionals receive little specific training in scientific writing. Many have mistaken views about what good writing is and how to achieve it. Writing in a language that is not your mother tongue makes it even more difficult to ensure that a text is well organized, coherent, and easily understood. Although most professionals quickly learn to read English-language texts in their special areas of interest, most fail to develop the skills they need to write successful grant applications and articles.

All scientists can learn to write competently. Writing skills can be learned, improved, and refined. Skills are based on knowledge, but knowledge alone is not enough. Developing skills requires putting knowledge into practice. This training seminar aims to help students improve their skills in writing scientific English. Students will learn the principles underlying effective written communication in science and put them into practice in a relaxed atmosphere of open discussion and feedback.

On the 7th and 8th of February 2014 the Esteve Foundation organized the second edition of Developing skills in scientific writing at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute of Barcelona (VHIR).