Connections & Conversations: Building and Sustaining Community in Writing Centers

With words like mutual, shared, and common frequently used to describe it (Severino, 2023), the concept of community is often represented as an ideal. However, our lived experiences speak to the complex and challenging nature of community. In fact, many scholars have suggested that inherent in the idea of community is plurality and difference (Fitzgerald, 2006), “both consensus and conflict” (Harris, 1989, p. 20), as well as both shared commitment and individual voice (hooks, 1994). These more nuanced perspectives on community are ripe for dialogue and collaboration, which those of us who do writing center work are both inclined and well suited to engage in. Therefore, with this conference we invite writing center practitioners of all identities and lived experiences, geographic or work locations, years of experience, modalities in which they work, or employment statuses to engage in dialogues and collaborative interactions around the complex idea of community in writing center work. 

By focusing on these ideas, we aim to gain insights into the ways in which writing centers can build, engage, and support diverse communities while recognizing and valuing differences. 

Because communities are stronger when they are more diverse, our goal for this conference is to be as broad and inclusive as possible, welcoming all writing center practitioners and encouraging presenters to submit a 250-word proposal addressing varied ways in which we enact community through our work and/or other related ideas. 

Proposal Topics Might Include

Building and Enacting Community: How can writing centers foster a sense of community among their staff and students? What strategies can be used to cultivate relationships with various stakeholders in the writing center's community/ies (e.g., students, faculty, staff, administration)? How can writing centers adapt to the needs of the changing community/ies? 

Community Engagement and Outreach: What programs and events can writing centers create or participate in to strengthen ties with the broader community? What kinds of partnerships can writing centers develop with external organizations to support and promote community-based initiatives? How can writing centers actively involve students in community outreach efforts?

Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: What are effective ways to acknowledge and address cultural and linguistic diversity in writing centers? How can writing centers create a welcoming environment for international and multilingual students? What kinds of training can be provided to writing center staff and tutors to better support diverse student populations? 

Technology and Online Communities: How has technology impacted the concept of community within writing centers? How might generative AI impact our enactment of community in writing centers? What strategies can be used to build an online writing center community? How can writing centers leverage social media and other online platforms to create a sense of belonging and connection? 

Community-Focused Pedagogies: What are some innovative pedagogical approaches that writing centers can use to foster a sense of community? How can writing centers incorporate community-based learning and participatory practices into their services? What lessons can be learned from existing community-focused writing center initiatives? 

Accessibility and Inclusivity: How can writing centers ensure that their services are accessible to all members of the community? What are best practices for accommodating writers with disabilities in writing centers? How can writing centers promote equity and inclusivity in their practices? 

To promote innovative thinking and foster a greater understanding of the ways in which writing centers enact community, options for session types are diverse, maybe even a little quirky, and we are open to other session types beyond these:

Synchronous Session Types

Ignite Talk (5 minutes): Speaker shares their experience and perspective on a specific topic and is scheduled with other similar presentations, followed by a Q&A session. This presentation type generally uses 20 slides with about 15 seconds per slide.

Individual Presentation (10-12 minutes): Speaker shares their experience and perspective on a specific topic and is scheduled with other similar presentations, followed by a Q&A session.

Panel Presentation (45 minutes): Diverse group of speakers share their experiences and perspectives on a specific topic, followed by a Q&A session.

Workshop (45 minutes): Hands-on, interactive session that actively engages participants

Collaborative Writing Workshop (45 minutes): Hands-on, interactive session in which participants collectively create content.

Round-table Discussion (45 minutes): Small group discussion with attendees on a specific topic. Presenter creates the questions for and facilitates the discussion.

Storytelling Circle (45 minutes): Speaker creates a space for participants to share personal narratives, anecdotes, or community stories, fostering active listening, empathy, and connection among participants.

Asynchronous Session Types

Multi-modal Gallery Display: Posters, comics, photos, video essays, podcasts, etc., to be displayed at the conference. Submissions should include interactive elements, such as QR codes linking to digital content, as conference attendees will engage with these displays asynchronously.

Community Art Project: Collaborative art activities, such as mural painting or collage creation, that encourage participants to visually represent their understanding of community in writing centers. 

Community Writing Showcase: Highlight, discuss, and provide examples of successful community writing projects, publications, or initiatives. 

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References

Fitzgerald, L (2006). The idea of a writing center community. The Writing Center Journal, 26(1), 27-32.

Harris, J. (1989). The idea of community in the study of writing. College Composition and Communication, 40(1), 11-22. 

hooks, b. (1994). Teaching to transgress. Routledge.

Severino, C. (2023). Notions of writing center community and some challenges to them. Writing Center Journal, 41(2), 75-86.

Proposals are due Friday, November 15, 2024. (deadline extended from Nov. 1)