The Humanities Center launched the Faculty Writing Workshop in Winter 2024. It was coordinated in 2024 by Professor Erik Jensen (History).
The program aimed to help participants improve a current academic writing project—such as an article, a chapter, a book prospectus, or a review essay—and to gain insight into the writing process, learn about the work of colleagues, and form long-term writing partnerships. Small group work alternated with large group sessions and time for individual work. Over the course of two days, participants received at least one detailed peer review of a work-in-progress, and they had focused time to write, revise, brainstorm, process feedback, and problem-solve. Small groups within the workshop equalized the amount of reading and written feedback required of each participant, with the goal of making everyone’s active engagement manageable and productive.
Participants agreed to share a draft of 2,000-10,000 words; write and share a detailed reader’s report for at least one other colleague; read the work of group participants; and participate energetically in workshop activities. Drafts were due January 18; peer reviews were due January 22. The workshop ran from 9 a.m.- noon and 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on January 23 and January 24, 2024, with an open hour for lunch. Participants were expected to keep January 25 free in case a snow day was needed. Breakfast, lunch, coffee, tea, water, and snacks were provided. Participants received $300 in research funding.
