Image: Arlene McComas
If you would like structure and support to move you forward with your writing and scholarship, please consider joining a Faculty Writing Group. Empirical evidence shows that faculty are more productive in their research and writing when they write daily, keep track of time spent writing, and hold themselves accountable to others—and Writing Groups help you put this into practice (Boice 1989, 1997).
Writing Groups Launch Meeting
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 | 12:30-1:50 p.m. | Casey Commons | Lunch provided
At this meeting, we'll explain the structure and process of Faculty Writing Groups, discuss why this process works, and organize groups.
Jointly sponsored by the Center for Faculty Development and the Office of Research Services and Sponsored Projects (ORSSP).
If you would like to attend the informational meeting on April 15, please register here.
Background
It can be hard to get writing and research done for any number of reasons. One obstacle that many of us face is that we find it hard to make time for writing— juggling scholarship with our teaching responsibilities and our lives outside of Seattle U can be difficult. Others find that they can make the time, but they have trouble finding their voice or gaining confidence in that voice. It's easy to assume that writing and research come easily to everyone but you. It's not true. Many of us struggle with it.
Proposal
What do we propose? We're offering a model that's been developed in the UK and that has worked well for SU faculty since 2007. It's known in the research literature as "Action Learning Sets" (McGill & Beaty 2001; Brockbank & McGill 1998). We prefer to call them "Faculty Writing Groups."
How it works
If you want to participate, you'll be working in an interdisciplinary group with 3–4 other faculty members, meeting on a monthly or bimonthly basis, setting scholarship goals, and holding one another accountable to those goals. The peers in your group will challenge and support you as you structure your time, brainstorm how to overcome obstacles, meet your deadlines, and find confidence in your voice. You'll provide the same kind of supportive challenge to them in return.
If you would like to join a Faculty Writing Group but can't attend the next informational meeting, please contact the Center for Faculty Development at faculty-development@seattleu.edu. Depending on the number of inquiries, we may be able to organize groups for faculty who are not able to attend the meeting.
References
- Boice, R. (1989). Procrastination, busyness and bingeing. Behavior Research Therapy 27, 605-611.
- Boice, R. (1997). Strategies for enhancing scholarly productivity. In J.M. Moxley & T. Taylor (Eds.), Writing and publishing for academic authors (pp. 19-34). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
- Brockbank, A., & McGill, I. (1998). Facilitating reflective learning in higher education. Buckingham, UK: Open University Press.
- McGill, I., & Beaty, L. (2001). Action learning : A guide for professional, management and educational development (2nd Ed.). London: Kogan Page.