FicSci
Applications for FicSci are now closed and will reopen in May 2025.
What forms of writing emerge when writers come face to face with current, proven and socially crucial scientific innovation and research? How might writers speak when they listen to scientists?
FicSci is a three-day workshop event and will include presentations from an invited scientist, social interactions and writing intensives. The workshop happens in mid-July annually.
This workshop will explore these questions by bringing a small number of writers together with a selected scientist each year. Through a facilitated yet experimental programme of listening, learning, discussing, and intensive writing, participants will be offered the space to focus on producing an original text in response to the provocations of an invited scientist. The invited scientist will be announced one month before the workshop.
Participants are free to write whatever they wish in response to the engagements with the scientist: poetry, lyrics, scripts, short or longer fiction, journalistic articles, polemical essays, creative non-fiction, experimental or genre-defying work, and more.
The Convenors of the workshop serve as co-editors for a publication that emerges from the workshop. The shape and form of the publication will be imagined by the convenors in the process, and participants will be invited to co-conceptualise it with us. Participants will be expected to enter into an online editing and review process for three months after the conclusion of the event to prepare their pieces for possible inclusion in the planned publication.
Fic Sci 01 - flow
The anthology of the inaugural cohort of the Fic Sci workshop is now out! Titled flow, the anthology includes essays, short stories, poetry and articles on different aspects of fluid mechanics. A special thank you to Professor Malebogo Ngoepe for sharing her knowledge which sparked the creativity that flows through every page of the anthology. The writers are:
- Alistair Mackay
- Busisiwe Mahlangu
- Fezeka Mkhabela
- Jarred Thompson
- Jerome Coetzee
- Luyolo Vukuza
- Mika Conradie
- Nicole Thackwray
- Sithembiso Khali
- Vuyokazi Ngemuntu
- Zanta Nkumane
flow can be accessed for free here. A print copy of the anthology can also be ordered.
Fic Sci 02 - night_sky
The anthology of the second cohort of the FicSci workshop is now out! Titled night_sky, the anthology is inspired by cutting-edge research on the night sky and explores topics such as X-ray binary stars, extra-galactic sources, and the Magellanic Clouds. A special thank you to Professor Tana Joseph for sharing her knowledge which sparked the creativity that eclipe through every page of the anthology. The writers are:
- Eduardo Cachucho
- Alicia English
- Maneo Mohale
- Mathaphelo Mofokeng
- Melissa Sussens
- Mzwakhe Xulu
- Peggy Mongoato
- Sarah Uheida
- Shamin Chibba
- Skye Mallac
- Taryn Mackay
- Yolanda Mbelle
night_sky can be accessed for free here. A print copy of the anthology can also be ordered.
FicSci Applications Process.
Interested writers must complete an online form. We kindly ask that writers refrain from submitting applications via email, as they will not be considered or accepted. Additionally, please ensure applications are completed and submitted before the deadline, as no late applications will be accepted. Group and/or organisational applications will not be considered. Applications are now closed and will reopen in May 2024. Please note that anyone who has already participated in FicSci will not be allowed to participate in future workshops.
Accepted participants will be supported with domestic (local) travel and accommodation for the workshop. The workshop will take place in-person in Stellenbosch. Participants who do not reside in South Africa will only be provided accommodation support. As such, they are required to support their travel to Stellenbosch, South Africa. No more than 10 writers will be selected to join the workshop. We reserve the right to not fill all spaces. Writers working in any genre or sector are welcome to apply. If you are selected, you must, on a full-time basis, be available on all dates as part-time attendance is not accepted.
Please note: acceptance into the workshop is voluntary and no remuneration is offered for the intended publication.
Convenors:
Prof Mehita Iqani (SARChI Science Communication), Stellenbosch University
Dr Wamuwi Mbao (English Literary Studies), Stellenbosch University