Introducing the Faculty Writing Program

Writing is a critical part of the research process. Developing productive writing skills and securing dedicated writing time is vital to our faculty’s success. We created the College of the Liberal Arts Faculty Writing Program as an accountable space for faculty members across the College to join in building a sense of community outside their home departments while engaging in dedicated writing practices. Now in its fourth year, the Faculty Writing Program has engaged over 90 members of the College of the Liberal Arts.

How is the program structured?

The Faculty Writing Program coordinates weekly groups that focus on the writing needs of faculty throughout the College. These are not peer review groups for sharing work, but accountability groups aimed at supporting the writing process, the campus community, and scholarly productivity.

Our writing groups meet three hours per week during the Penn State Fall and Spring semesters.

Each group begins with a 20 minute discussion led by a faculty co-facilitator. Our discussions focus on different topics such as goal setting, writing strategies, and professionalization. Group members then spend the rest of the session, about two-and-a-half hours, writing. Writers set goals for their structured writing time and report on their progress at the end of each session.

What is expected of group members?

Accountability writing groups require commitment. Participating faculty members select a time slot and group at the beginning of each semester. We ask that group members commit to attending all of their sessions and registering potential absences in advance.

Writing group time is for research-related activities only. We will ask participants to avoid teaching or service-related writing during this time.

Writers have the option to choose between in-person or virtual groups.

Who is eligible?

Groups are open to faculty with full-time Penn State appointments at any rank, including teaching faculty.