What are Interdisciplinary Writing Groups?
Interdisciplinary Writing Groups are comprised of Northwestern PhD students who meet for two hours on a weekly basis to discuss and provide feedback on their own and fellow group members’ writing and writing processes. Groups are comprised of 5-6 members, and while no group contains more than one student from a single department/program, each group will be comprised of members who share either a qualitative or quantitative research focus. The groups are facilitated by Graduate Writing Fellows—advanced PhD Candidates from across the university.
Why should I apply to join an Interdisciplinary Writing Group?
Writing groups are an excellent place to get feedback on your writing and your writing process, as well as to practice providing effective feedback to other writers. Writing groups (and the deadlines associated with them) can also help you to maintain productivity and accountability, providing you with ongoing input on writing from the early stages of planning and drafting to the later work of revision and editing. Finally, interdisciplinary writing groups can provide you with new perspectives on your writing and research.
What happens during an Interdisciplinary Writing Group meeting?
Each group will be responsible for determining exactly how group meetings will run (e.g., how often each member will share writing, how feedback will be provided, etc.), and your group will make these decisions collectively during your first group meeting. Regardless of specifics, however, you can expect that each group meeting will involve some discussion of writing, as well as some group accountability/goal setting work.
Where and when do Interdisciplinary Writing Groups meet?
In winter 2025, we are hoping to have groups that meet both in person and online. In-person groups will meet on the Evanston campus. The exact day and time you meet will be based on all group members’ availability (you will indicate your availability as part of your application).
Who is eligible to apply?
You are eligible to apply if you are a PhD student who has (1) completed your coursework; (2) are working on writing associated with your research (e.g., dissertation chapters, articles, conference papers); (3) do not anticipate needing to miss more than one group meeting over the course of the fall quarter.
How do I apply?
Complete this online application by Thursday, December 5.
Questions?
If you have any additional questions, please contact Elizabeth Lenaghan, the Graduate Writing Place Director.