COMMUNITY
Our goal is to challenge the culture of isolation, pain, and comparison that characterizes dissertation writing. Instead, we will create a "community of practice" in which we learn from one another, share our struggles, and provide mutual support, rather than competing with each other. The philosophy of this writing group is that creative work is a communal process, and dissertations and academic work are no exception. We need each other for companionship, to learn about ourselves and our work, and to remember that we are all in this together.
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1. WRITING PARTNERS
You will be assigned to a smaller group of three for a two-month cycle. Check in with this group regularly (weekly at a minimum) to support each other or, better yet, set up times to write together. You should help each other think about and revise your dissertation outlines and plans and work through daily writing goals and struggles. At the end of the two-month cycle (in January, these will become one-month cycles), you will share a substantive piece of writing for peer review.
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September–October Groups:
Group 1: Vicente, Nathan, Elizabeth
Group 2: Mauricio, Andrea and Ricardo
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November–December Groups:
Group 1: Nathan, Vicente, Mauricio
Group 2: Ricardo, Andrea, Elizabeth
January-February Groups:
Group 1: Vicente, Mauricio, Andrea
Group 2: Nathan, Elizabeth, Ricardo
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March-April Groups:
Group 1: Andrea, Elizabeth, Vicente
Group 2: Ricardo, Nathan, Mauricio
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2. PEER REVIEWS
You will share your writing at least four times over the course of the fellowship year in your rotating small groups of three listed above (each of you read two and receive two reviews). You can skip one peer review submission, but let your partners know in advance and do not skip reviewing their work on time. Peer review submissions are due on the dates below and reviews are due one week after. Please try to stay on schedule and write these dates into your dissertation plan.
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For detailed instructions on how to do your peer reviews, click here.
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Submission Dates (subject to change):
Peer Review #1: October 29th (reviews by partners due Nov, 5)
Peer Review #2: December 10th*
Peer Review #3: January 28th
Peer Review #4: February 25th
Peer Review #5: March 31th
Peer Review #6: ?
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*Because of the holidays, we are combining our Nov and Dec meetings and peer reviews into one meeting in mid-December.
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3. MONTHLY COHORT CHECK-INS
Once a month (with the exception of the holiday season), we will schedule a Zoom call to check in with the entire cohort and program staff. These meetings will usually be on the first or last Friday of each month starting in October, but they will change depending on holidays and other things that will inevitably come up. They will include some kind of focus regarding writing and then will serve mainly as a place to come together for support and advice. Peer reviews are due to your partners on the same dates at our check-ins.
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Read/listen in advance: Why We Procrastinate and Quiet the Noise
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Podcast: "This Conversation will Change How You Think About Thinking"
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Turn in abstracts for LASA
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Turn in peer review to your group and return in a week's time
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DECEMBER 10, 12:00 EST
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Read/listen in advance: "This Conversation will Change How You Think About Thinking" (if you didn't listen last time); "Imposter Syndrome: A Buzzword with Damaging Consequences"; Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome" (there is also a great podcast with the authors if you want to listen to that instead); and "No, You're Writing's not Efficient and That's OK"
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Turn in peer review and return in a week's time (don't forget to schedule times to check in with your group during the month!)
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Have a plan ready to show directors
JANUARY 29th
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Turn in peer review and return in a week's time.
FEB 25
Turn in peer review and return in a week's time.
MARCH 31
Turn in peer review and return in a week's time.
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APRIL 29
No peer review required
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JUNE 15
Final Reports Due to Mellon and IUPLR Centers