The news of NCTE’s de-chartering of CCCC has led many in writing studies to strategies for organizing the future of the field. Following the suggestion of Elizabeth Wardle (Miami University), we are organizing a one-day hybrid symposium for our colleagues in the Michigan region, titled “Preferable Futures for Writing Studies.”
August 12th, 2026 9:30am-2:30pm – In-Person @ University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (224 Gorguze Family Laboratory, 2609 Draper Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109); Online via Zoom.
The day’s activities are as follows, with a more detailed outline linked here:
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9:00-9:30 — Coffee and Welcome
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9:30-10:15 — Part 1: Introductions and Community Building
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10:30-12:00 — Part 2: Exploring Possible Futures
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12:00-12:45 — Lunch (details to follow)
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12:45-1:30 — Part 3: Reflections on the Field’s Strengths and Areas for Growth
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1:45-2:30 — Part 4: So What? Who Cares? What Do We Do?
Please register to indicate your in-person or online attendance by 5 p.m. EDT, Monday, August 10, 2026, using this RSVP link.
We ask you to share this information with your colleagues in writing studies. We will follow up with in-person registrants regarding lunch details.
Sincerely,
Adrienne Jankens (Wayne State University) and Clay Walker (University of Michigan)
Clay Walker, PhD
Lecturer III, Program in Technical Communication
College of Engineering at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
o: 5512 Engineering Research Building
e: cledwa