News

Rebekka Andersen, Associate Professor in the University Writing Program and Associate Director of Professional Writing, recently presented her research at the 2026 Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) Conference in Boise, ID. The annual conference brings together scholars, educators, and program administrators to discuss developments in the field of technical and professional communication. 

The call for proposals has been released for the Future of Writing: Conversations Across California Higher Education, a conference taking place July 15-16, 2027, at Cal Poly Maritime in Vallejo, California.

On Tuesday, October 27, UC Davis University Writing Program professor Dan Melzer will co-present “Do Less Harm: Minimizing Harmful Aspects of Grading to Center Student Learning” with Jaime O’Connor of The Washington Center for Improving Undergraduate Education at The Evergreen State College. The workshop will explore the impact of grades on student learning, drawing on the presenters’ research to discuss common themes and possibilities for alternative grading practices.

The landscape of professional writing is constantly changing, but the University Writing Program (UWP) faculty and staff are dedicated to helping their students face these modern challenges. They have been working on exciting new courses for the UWP and the Professional Writing minor (PWM). These courses were created to fit students’ interests and teach transferable skills for their future careers.

Amanah Talabhaktula graduated from UC Davis in 2025 with a B.S. in Neurobiology, Physiology, & Behavior, and a minor in Professional Writing. Amanah wants to be a foot and ankle surgeon, and she is working hard at Samuel Merritt University College of Podiatric Medicine to achieve her goals. She is one of thousands of students to graduate from UC Davis with a minor in Professional Writing, and just like her peers from the program, she is on track to achieve her professional aspirations.

Updated October 30, 2026.

What will the future of writing look like with the rise of AI? How does social media shape digital communication? Minds Over Matters is a podcast dedicated to sharing research and expert insights by tackling important questions like these. On the most recent episode, Words 2.0, they invited UC Davis UWP Faculty Dr.

When professor Dan Melzer noticed students across academic institutions were stressed and disengaged, he wanted to understand why and how he could help. Dan Melzer is a professor at UC Davis who teaches writing and composition. His research focuses on writing across curriculums, writing program administration, and assessment practices.

Next Tuesday evening, take a walk to the Teaching and Learning Complex (TLC) and head straight to the fourth floor. You’ll know you're in the right place when you hear the buzz of excited chatter and laughter. There, nestled in their own cozy corner, you’ll find a group of passionate graduate students, researchers, writers, and a very friendly dog. This collective, called Voz Rebelde, Beyond the Margins Writing Group, aims to build a supportive community of Latinx/e graduate students that values academic research and authenticity.