DDGC Writing Support Groups
DDGC has run virtual writing support groups three times a year since May 2018. The goal of the groups is to organize a forum in which people working in German Studies (and sibling disciplines) can support one another's research, share writing tips, discuss pitfalls, and thereby stimulate intellectual work while building community.
How It Works
The setup is simple with the aim of producing big results: in a 18-week writing group, group members check in twice each week (beginning and end of week). During the first check in, members articulate clear and measurable writing goals. During the second check in, members confirm if they met their goals, what went well, and what they hope to improve the following week. We use Slack, an online app/tool specifically designed for collaborative endeavors, to organize group communication.
DDGC Writes: May-September 2024
Conveners: Nicole Coleman, Hannah Eldridge, Ervin Malakaj, Ben Schofield, and Holly Yanacek.
We welcome anyone working in German studies and sibling disciplines to join our writing community, including graduate student colleagues and faculty at any career stage and of any employment status.
Group sign-up runs for a couple of weeks prior to the start of the group. The dates for the group are May 20-September 13, 2024 (18 weeks). Those who work on different semester, term, or quarter systems can adjust the dates to serve their own context better.
To sign-up period for the group has passed. You are welcome to join the group at any point. To do so, reach out to any one of the conveners.
DDGC Remote Write On Site: May-September 2024
Convener: Holly Yanacek
The DDGC Remote Write on Site aims to support scholars through a remote write-on-site venue for reflection and deeper collective intellectual engagement.
The upcoming session will feature a mix of daily writing sessions and mini writing boot camps. The session will run May 20-September 13, 2024. To join, please email the convener: Holly Yanacek (yanaceha[at]jmu.edu).
DDGC Supports the Formation of Clusters of Writing Groups
The writing group brings scholars from different stages in their career together. As such, it is a great venue to connect with people and to engage in discussion about a fundamental component of intellectual work in the academy: writing. Currently, there are two groups (one asynchronous and one synchronous) in the books. However, we recognize that not all spaces are made equal and that power informs all we do. One venue does not suffice in helping advance writing projects for people who fundamentally don't feel welcome and safe in some spaces.
To this end, we are happy to facilitate the creation of additional groups. We will help set up the structure for the group and will help advertise for it. If you are willing and interested to start such a group with a specific focus on helping advance the writing of a target group of scholars in DDGC, please send an email to Hannah Eldridge (heldridge[at]wisc.edu). If you are interested in such a group but can't serve as facilitator of the group, reach out anyway. We will work hard to make sure to connect you with others.