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European Writing Centre Summer Institute 2019

The European Writing Centers Association is pleased to announce the first Writing Centre Summer Institute (SI) in Europe. The event is modeled after the Summer Institute of the International Writing Centers Association in the United States of America, which, since 2003, brings new and experienced writing centre professionals together with leaders from the field for a week of whole-group workshops, small-group discussions, and one-on-one conversations on a range of writing centre topics. The EWCA SI is meant to guide current or would-be writing centre directors and assistants, writing program administrators, writing tutors and writing teachers who work in writing centres or want to found writing centres in European higher education. The SI will offer two tracks: one for experienced writing centre professionals and one for new and future writing centre professionals.

Topics of the European Summer Institute will include:

  • Introduction to the field of writing centre work
  • Peer writing tutor education
  • Working with faculty and administration
  • Demonstrating impact: Writing centre assessment and more
  • Grant writing for writing centre projects
  • Possible exchange programs (e.g. Erasmus)
  • Working with multilingual students
  • Writing centre research and publication
  • Writing centre sustainability

Leaders of the SI will be:

  • Pamela Bromley, Pomona College, USA
  • Shareen Grogan, University of Montana, USA
  • Katrin Girgensohn, European University Viadrina, Germany
  • Franziska Liebetanz, European University Viadrina, Germany
  • Íde O’Sullivan, University of Limerick, Ireland

Venue:The SI will take place at the European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany. Frankfurt (Oder) is located at the German-Polish Border close to Berlin (a one-hour train ride from Berlin).


Date: August 19th-23rd 2019 (starting Monday, August 19th at 1 pm, closing Friday, August 23rd after lunch)


Fee: The cost for the SI is 380 €, including accomodation at a student dorm at the Polish side of the border (single bedrooms with own bathroom), workshop materials, as well as lunches, coffee breaks, and an opening networking dinner.


Application: The SI is strictly limited to 12 participants in each track. Because we seek to convene a group of practitioners from diverse regions, institutional contexts, and experience, selection of participants will take into consideration 1) where the participant is from, 2) their writing centre experience, and 3) their motivation for attending as elaborated in the application letter.


Applications should include a motivation letter (one-page), a C.V., and a short description of their own writing centre or vision of a writing center at their home institution. Applications, and any questions, should be sent via e-mail to si@writingcenters.eu.


Deadline for applications: January 14th 2019  --  extended till January 21st