with Shari Graydon
DATE: Wednesday, November 18, 2026
TIME: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
LOCATION: Peña Room, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z1
Write Compelling Commentary
Do you have research or lived experience that the public would benefit from knowing more about? Are you advocating for a cause but struggling to get your message out? Too often, valuable expertise stays buried in academic journals or internal reports. This workshop provides tools to help you translate your insights into powerful op-eds that engage, inform and drive action. Learn what makes a successful op-ed and how to write one that’s more likely to get published.
Learn how to:
- Boost your publication chances by understanding what editors seek
- Structure your ideas into the expected format using a proven framework
- Increase your ability to write clearly and persuasively for a broad audiences
- Link your piece to current news to increase its relevance
Presented in partnership with UBC Centre for European Studies with support from the Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, co-funded by the European Union.
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Facilitator
Shari Graydon is an award-winning author, speaker and advocate who has trained and motivated thousands of women to share their insights from the podium and through print, online and broadcast commentary since creating Informed Perspectives. Previously she wrote a weekly newspaper column, produced a TV series and performed regular commentary for CBC. She also taught communications at two BC universities and served as press secretary to a provincial premier. Her advocacy work has been recognized with the Governor General’s Award in Commemoration of the Persons’ Case, and by Women of Influence and WXN.
Selected Testimonials
Published op ed, radio interview, front page profile in a second paper, TV interview with CBC… I feel like I’ve made more of a conservation difference with one 600-word op ed than I have with all my scientific publications put together.
Sarah Foster, Research Associate, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia
It was an inspirational session, filled with brilliant insights and superb strategies. Fascinating Focused. Funny. This offers just about everything women could possibly need to know about how to get our important ideas out into the public realm.
Constance Backhouse, Professor of Law, University of Ottawa
My first commentary in the Toronto Star received more than 10,000 hits and over 500 Facebook recommendations, making it the paper’s most read op ed all month. It’s great to discover there’s an audience for something I feel so strongly about.
Kelly Grindrod, Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
Access information
Safety
- Masks are encouraged and will be provided at the door.
- If you have cold or flu symptoms, please stay home and rest well.
