Faculty Writing Initiative

Looking for dedicated time and space to write this semester?

FWI is designed to support faculty in achieving their academic and creative goals through work on writing projects of any kind—such as grant applications, book chapters, articles, essays, creative work, conference presentations, etc.

Launched in Spring 2020, the Faculty Writing Initiative (FWI) offers weekly online writing sessions so that faculty can make substantial progress on their writing projects. Each session begins with goal setting and ends with progress check-ins and brief discussions about writing strategies, to bring structure and a sense of community to the solitary work of writing. Many faculty who have participated in the FWI have noted that there is a sense of camaraderie that forms through individual writing in a group environment. The Faculty Writing Initiative is different from a typical writing group in that it supports faculty in building writing time consistently into their weekly work schedules. Facilitators and participants will not be reading and responding to each other’s writing, rather you will encourage each other in building sustained writing practices.

Faculty across all ranks, including non-tenure track, are encouraged to apply, and applicants can apply to participate in either a Tuesday or a Friday morning session. Both sessions will meet via Zoom. The weekly meetings will begin the second week of classes, and participants will be expected to attend these weekly writing sessions throughout the semester.

If you’re interested in participating in the UMKC Faculty Writing Initiative, apply online before the beginning of the semester. Applicants will be selected to ensure that the Faculty Writing Initiative serves writers from all disciplines and across all ranks in university.

Apply to participate in the Spring 2025 Faculty Writing Initiative

Facilitated By Faculty, For Faculty

Facilitators for FWI are Dr. Antonio Byrd, Assistant Professor of English, and Dr. Jane Greer, Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor of English and Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies.

Both Drs. Byrd and Greer focus their research and scholarship on Writing Studies and Rhetoric and have enjoyed considerable success as writers as well as their fair share of writerly frustrations, anxieties, and disappointments. They have both participated in a variety of initiatives and workshops designed to support faculty writing, and they are eager to write with other faculty.

If you have any questions, please email Dr. Byrd (antoniobyrd@umkc.edu) or Dr. Greer (greerj@umkc.edu).

Participant Feedback

• "I really do write more if I schedule time for it!"
• "I have learned several organizational strategies as part of this initiative that is helping me as a writer. Also the connection to the group is helping me with motivation."
• "I found 'Nothing will work unless you do.' Since English is not my first language I always had some sociological barrier that this writing practice helped me to overcome that barrier (not 100% and still need to work on it)."
• "I've learned that I love to write but I need accountability to improve my productivity."
• "I like the accountability! It's helpful to see others in the same boat and I appreciate the fellowship."
• "I work better in chunks of time larger than 2 hours, but the 2 hours are still helpful."