Publishing your research as an article in a well-regarded journal is a common goal for most Columbia researchers — and is especially compelling for grad students and early-career researchers looking to establish their careers. We all know, however, that publishing usually takes a long time, especially when it is a research paper. And we also know not all research results are suitable for formal publication.

But is a journal the only legitimate place to discuss and share your work?

Not at all.

As an educated, hard-working researcher who knows more about your field than many others, why not share your expertise and enlighten others by writing an op-ed?

An op-ed is a short write-up that expresses your opinion about a certain issue or topic. It is usually published in newspapers or magazines to raise awareness of timely issues. Two main benefits of writing an op-ed are (1) to contribute to your scholarly field by highlighting issues and raising awareness of them with the general public and (2) establishing or burnishing your name recognition beyond the narrow confines of the academy.

But how to get started? The Earth Institute's guide to writing an Op-Ed does an excellent job explaining how to write an effective op-ed and offering guidance on how to go about placing such a piece. Columbia is also involved in the Op-Ed Project, which offers examples and further information on writing an op-ed of your own. For students, Columbia’s Writing Center is a good place to go if you’d like to talk to a writing expert.

What are you waiting for? Start writing your (first) op-ed today!