2026 Monsoon Writing workshop 

ANHS 2026 MONSOON WRITING WORKSHOP

The ANHS is organizing an online writing workshop scheduled for the fall of 2026. This educational program is specifically designed for graduate students from Himalayan nations, who could be living in the region or elsewhere.

Led by experts Dr. Thomas Robertson and Dr. Dhirendra Nalbo, the curriculum covers essential academic skills such as structural organization, the ethical use of AI, and effective argumentation. Participants will engage in practical exercises and receive peer feedback throughout several sessions to refine their scholarly prose. Interested applicants must submit their materials by the July 31 deadline to be considered for this professional development opportunity.

✍️ Strengthen Your Academic and Professional Writing

Five Online Sessions: August–September 2026
Refresher Sessions: Late October / Early November 2026
Cost: Free

Who Can Apply?

Graduate students from Nepal and other Himalayan countries, whether currently based in South Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, or elsewhere. ANHS membership is not required, though preference may be given to members. 

Workshop Topics

✅ Writing clear, engaging academic prose

✅ Introductions that grab readers

✅ Paragraph structure and transitions

✅ Using evidence, quotations, and statistics effectively

✅ Concise and energetic writing

✅ Organizing longer articles

✅ Using AI effectively and responsibly

✅ Writing strong conclusions 

What Makes This Workshop Different?

Discussion & Learning

• Read short, practical materials about writing
• Discuss effective writing techniques
• Learn from published examples

Writing & Feedback

• Submit weekly writing drafts
• Receive feedback
• Revise and strengthen your work throughout the program 

Facilitators

Dr. Thomas (Tom) Robertson is an environmental historian and the former director of Fulbright Nepal/USEF in Kathmandu. He currently teaches at Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota. He is creator of Mitho Lekhai youtube videos (मीठो लेखाइ) on writing nonfiction (in Nepali) and the Writing Journeys series through The Record (still available online). Recent publications include “Kathmandu’s ‘Flash Floods’ Are 4 Decades in the Making,” Nepali Times; “The Insect that Changed Nepal's History,” Nepali Times; “Backwards Development”: Malaria Control, Land Reform, and the Dangaura Tharu in Nepal's Dang Valley in the 1960s, Studies in Nepali History and Society, June 2025 (abridged version in The Commons); and “DDT and the Cold War: American Social and Environmental Engineering in the Rapti Valley (Chitwan) of Nepal,” Journal of American History, March 2018. Also see Tom’s Writing Tips on Martin Chautari Webpage. 

Dr. Dhirendra Nalbo, is co-founder of the Open Institute. His research interests include violent conflict and peace, peacebuilding, political economy of natural resources, environmental study, climate change and conflict, and social unrest. Recent writings include “Democratic Authoritarian Environmentalism and Environmental Governance in Nepal,” The Commons, 2025; “Human-Wildlife Conflict Survivors and Unjust Compensation in the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve,” in Environmental Justice in Nepal Origins, Struggles, and Prospects., 2025; and “Toward indigenous methodologies and environmental peacebuilding: A study on water projects in Nepal.” Environment and Security, 2024. He writes regularly in the Kathmandu Post and the Nepali Times.

Application Deadline

July 31, 2026 (5:00 PM US Eastern Time)

Submit:

• Contact information (name, current affiliation, email address)
• Short bio (100 words) including where you grew up and where you have studied, and current interests/projects (max 100 words)
• Brief statement of interest (100 words) explaining the reason for applying for the workshop
• A 400–500 word essay on your op-ed or other writing idea (with title). Instead of telling us what you plan to do, just start doing it. What is your argument and your evidence? Give dates and context. (Please, no AI use.)
  
  

SUBMIT APPLICATIONS