Dear Writing Studies Colleagues,
Last year, we presented a workshop titled “Cultivating Quiet Resistance in/through Writing Center Spaces in an Anti-DEI Climate” at the IWCA conference. We were struck not only by the large attendance at this session, but also by the wide range of stories participants shared about how writing centers are responding to the current political climate. These conversations made clear that this is a rapidly evolving moment for writing centers, and one that warrants closer attention and ongoing conversation.
To continue that conversation, we invite you to participate in an IRB-approved research study (IRB-FY27-13) investigating how writing centers are navigating institutional and legislative challenges related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) related work. The purpose of this study is to better understand the experiences of writing center professionals across a range of institutional contexts and to identify both the challenges they are facing and the strategies they are using to respond.
Participation in this phase of the study involves completing an anonymous online survey, which should take approximately 15 minutes. The survey includes questions about your writing center role, institutional context, perceived challenges and risks related to DEI-related work, and any changes your writing center may have experienced or implemented in response to institutional or legislative pressures.
The survey can be accessed at this link: https://jmu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_exhlb2S12veSVH8
We recognize that discussing the ways your writing center might be actively resisting DEI-related federal laws and institutional policies may involve professional risk for some participants. You can read more about the ways we have worked to mitigate that risk in the consent form on the first page of the survey, but know that we have designed the survey to collect no identifiable information, including IP addresses. In addition, demographic information will only be reported in aggregate form, and demographic trends will only be discussed when at least five participants share a particular demographic characteristic. Additional information about the study and its protections for participants can be found in the consent form.
At the end of the survey, participants will have the option to provide contact information if they are interested in participating in future phases of this research project. Providing contact information is entirely optional and will not be linked to your survey responses.
Thank you for considering this invitation, and for the important work you do to support writers in your center.
Dr. Emily Bouza, James Madison University
Dr. Keli Tucker, St. Catherine University
Kelsey Hawkins, Syracuse University
Emily Bouza, Ph.D. (she/her)
Disciplinary Writing Coordinator Learning Centers – University Writing Center
Lecturer, School of Writing, Rhetoric and Technical Communication
James Madison University
Student Success Center| SSC 1126