Based on successful programs at the University of Wisconsin Madison, Baylor University, and Texas Tech, the Faculty Writing Initiative offers weekly writing sessions during the spring semester 2020. The focus of each session is devoted to structured writing time so that faculty can make substantial progress on writing projects, and ideally feel free of writing-guilt going into the weekend. Each session begins with goal setting and ends with progress check-ins and brief discussions about writing strategies to bring structure and a sense of community to the solitary work of writing. Many faculty who have participated in similar projects noted that there is a sense of camaraderie that forms through individual writing in a group environment. The Faculty Writing Initiative is different from a typical writing group in that it supports faculty in building writing time consistently into their weekly work schedules. Facilitators and participants will not be reading and responding to each other's writing; rather, they will encourage each other in building their writing practices.

Faculty across all ranks, including non-tenure track, are encouraged to apply. FWI will meet via Zoom until the public health situation is sufficiently resolved to make meeting on campus feasible. Participants will be expected to attend weekly writing sessions throughout the semester.

If you're interested in participating in the UMKC Faculty Writing Initiative, complete the online applicationby January 4 Applicants will be selected to ensure that the Faculty Writing Initiative serves writers from all disciplines and across all ranks in the university.

Facilitators for the Faculty Writing Initiative are Dr. Antonio Byrd, Assistant Professor of English, and Dr. Jane Greer, Curators' Distinguished Teaching Professor of English and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Both Drs. Byrd and Greer focus their research and scholarship on Writing Studies and Rhetoric. They have enjoyed considerable success as writers as well as their fair share of writerly frustrations, anxieties, and disappointments.They have both participated in a variety of initiatives and workshops designed to support faculty writing, and they are eager to help launch this new initiative.

If you have any questions, please email  Dr. Byrd (antoniobyrd@umkc.edu) or Dr. Greer (greerj@umkc.edu).

Faculty across all ranks, including non-tenure track, applied. Congratulations to the faculty participants!