Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
Perspectives on Public Policy
The Perspectives on Public Policy Journey offers a comprehensive overview of public policy and its role in addressing societal challenges with a focus on inequalities, public policy frameworks, design, analysis, and justification.
Girls Write Now Collaboratory
This Journey is Closed, but You Can Pre-Enroll in a Spring 2027 Journey Now!
Learning Objectives
Apply to Join
Deadline: January 15, 2025
As a mentee or mentor in the Perspectives on Public Policy Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed to help you learn about public policy’s role in addressing societal challenges. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. You’ll attend at least one community engagement experience a month.
- Cycle(s) Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
- Time 3 hours per month
- Areas of Focus Activism, Civics, Politics
- Requirement Write and produce an Advocacy Short
- Available Spots Per Cycle 20
Perspectives on Public Policy Courses
Public Policy and Advocacy Shorts
In this course, you’ll learn about public policy frameworks, design, analysis and Implementation. You’ll explore the foundations of federal policy and how contemporary changes have impacted government, and you’ll discuss the impact of social movements on government and vice versa.
Perspectives on Public Policy Mentoring
As a mentee or mentor in the Perspectives on Public Policy Journey, you’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for two full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month.
Perspectives on Public Policy Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Perspectives on Public Policy Journey are required to attend monthly meetings. Additionally, they attend one community engagement per month, such as a Community Studios, College & Career Chats, Salon Experiences, and Affinity Group Meetings.
- October 16, 6pm ET Orientation
- December 14, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
- January 25, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
- March 15, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
- April 26, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
- May 3, 12-1:30pm ET Journey Meeting
Public Policy 360 Adventure
Investigative Podcasts is a Journey in the Journalism 360, Multimedia, and Public Policy Adventures.
The Public Policy Journey is a part of the Public Policy 360 Adventure.
Journeys in the Public Policy 360 Adventure focus on the ways that writing and creating can impact public policy. It is designed for those who want to learn more about how to make change in technology, reproductive health, climate change and more. Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Find Your Journey
Find Your Journey
Book Club: Page to Stage (Fall 2025)
This Journey invites mentees and mentors to explore classic and contemporary literature through both reading and performance. Participants will read three books and then experience them brought to life through dynamic solo stage adaptations in partnership with Literature to Life (LTL).
Independent Study (Fall 2025)
Create your own experience with our Independent Study Journey. Meet as a pair, attend events of interest, and use coursework to help you plan creative projects and meet your goals.
Teach GWN (Fall 2025)
In this Journey, Members of the GWN community will develop curriculum and facilitate a community studio for one or more cycles within GWN’s Collaboratory structure. Each cycle involves facilitating three community studios, one per month. Participants will gain valuable skills in leadership, teaching, and community building. Mentees and Mentors can facilitate a community studio either solo (if they are 18 or older) or together as a pair.
The Power of Punchlines: Stand-Up Comedy for Change (Fall 2025-Spring 2026)
In this two-Cycle Journey, participants will explore the power of comedy as a tool for social change, with a special focus on stand-up comedy. From climate change and economic inequality to LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and mental health, you’ll learn how to write and perform material that blends humor with meaningful social critique. Comedy is a form of intelligence—whether you’re new to comedy or a seasoned performer, this journey will help you use humor as a force for social impact.
The Lead Incubator (Fall 2025-Spring 2025)
The Lead Incubator is a crucial extension of the Lead Community Change Journey, offering Mentees the space, resources, and support needed to implement their project plans and drive meaningful change in their communities. It acts as a dynamic platform where they can turn their ideas into action. Mentees participating in the Lead Incubator focus on advancing their community-based social activism projects with the support of their mentors and Girls Write Now’s resources.
Explore Tour (Fall 2025)
Explore the creative and storytelling pathways Girls Write Now offers through a multimedia, multi-genre experience with mini courses, exploratory studios, and one-on-one pair sessions. Build new skills and deepen existing ones across fiction, journalism, publishing, and formats like video, podcasting, and visual storytelling. Ideal for mentees working across media or focused on specific projects, this Journey offers the flexibility to tailor your learning experience to your goals.
Through the Lens: Photography & Visual Storytelling (Spring 2027)
Discover the art of telling stories through images. In this Journey Mentees and mentors will explore the creative and technical elements of photography while learning how photographers use composition, light, perspective, and narrative to capture meaningful moments and communicate powerful ideas.
Bridging Queer Voices: Storytelling Across Generations (Spring 2027)
This Journey explores the rich tradition of storytelling between generations, highlighting how stories connect past, present, and future. Participants will engage with personal and cultural narratives shared across age groups, learning to honor diverse perspectives. Through writing and creative expression, you’ll develop skills to preserve and share meaningful stories that build understanding and community.
Social Media & Marketing (Summer 2025)
This Journey is designed for mentees and mentors who want to understand the power of social media and how to use it effectively to grow an audience, promote their work, and build a personal or professional brand. From crafting engaging posts to creating a consistent online presence, this course covers the essential strategies and tools needed to thrive in the world of digital marketing.
Book Club: Summer Read (Summer 2025)
Book lovers, unite! Each cycle, we’ll close read three new books and discuss them at monthly fixed meetings. When you apply, you can recommend a book that might be chosen for the journey! We’ll focus, in particular, on reading as writers and taking note of the ways each author crafts their story.
