The Craft of Writing in a Digital Age
Classes
Wednesday 07 October - Wednesday 25 November 2026,
8 sessions - Check class timetable
Overview
The Craft of Writing in a Digital Age is an eight-week short course designed for writers who would like to explore the online platforms and digital tools of today. Within a supportive feedback exchange environment, this course examines how creative writers can regain authorship and attention in an increasingly digital and algorithm-driven landscape. Teaching will draw on a range of research, resources and projects by artists and writers that have successfully engaged with digital platforms and tools to create innovative human writing.
Through online seminars and discussions, you will deepen your understanding of the ways that the livelihood and practice of writers can be impacted by developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and online platforms. Today's large language models can generate writing in seconds, and the course will investigate what this means for human writers. You will explore the development of these models and the bias and ethics that underlie their training, using queer and anti-racist approaches. You will push at the parameters of digital technology and challenge the creativity of mainstream language models to better understand your own, questioning their patterning, vocabulary and syntax.
The Craft of Writing in a Digital Age course will focus on several key areas of digital writing, such as:
- developments in online platforms and AI
- writing for podcasts and social media platforms
- using blogging platforms such as Substack to develop readership and income
- using and critiquing large language models (AI).
This course aims to reframe the relationship between technology, attention, creativity and authorship. Whilst the course will engage with the history and context of the technology behind today's algorithms, this course does not intend to build technical knowledge in AI or coding.
As a learner on this course, you will study alongside fellow professionals wishing to enhance their knowledge in the subject area, giving you the opportunity to make connections with like-minded colleagues and network.
You will also receive a Birkbeck certificate of participation upon completion of the course.
This course is non-credit bearing, so carries no credit points.
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Most of our short courses have no formal entry requirements and are open to all students.
This short course has no prerequisites.
As part of the enrolment process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.
International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.
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How to apply
How to apply
You can book directly onto the short courses you would like to take, using the Register button above which will direct you to the relevant booking page. Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis - so apply early if you're interested.
We offer a 20% discount to those who are members of Birkbeck’s alumni, as well as the student and staff community. If you are eligible to claim this discount, please contact the Innovation Support Unit so that we can process your booking.