It is with great excitement that To Improve the Academy (TIA), in association with the POD Scholarship Committee, announces the launch of the POD Academic Writing Scholars.

TIA is committed to diversifying the pool of writers who contribute to educational development scholarship to include new educational developers, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) authors, and members of groups historically underrepresented in educational development scholarship (e.g., educational developers at community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)). We know that scholarly writing takes time, cultural capital, and financial resources, and that institutions vary on available resources. Therefore, the POD Academic Writing Scholars pilot will support up to eight writers from identity groups and/or institutions that are historically underrepresented in educational development scholarship. 

From June- November 2023, up to eight participants with writing projects at any stage of development (e.g., an idea, data collected; a full draft, etc.) will meet twice per month to receive feedback from peers and former TIA editors, and receive support and guidance on the writing, review, and publication process. 

Please see the full program description below. For full consideration, please apply by May 1, 2023, 11:59pm ET.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] or reach out to any member of the TIA editorial team. 

Kind regards,

Lindsay, Michael, Marina and Derisa

TIA Editorial Team 

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POD Academic Writing Scholars

Participant Outcomes:

  • Navigate the academic writing process. 
  • Identify pathways to contribute to educational development journals, such as writing, serving as a reviewer, contributing editor, etc. 
  • Develop and/or expand a professional writing network and community, including peers, journal editors, former journal editors, and journal reviewers. 
  • Further develop an idea or manuscript draft in educational development scholarship to submit for the review process.

Participants receive:

  • Monthly feedback on writing from a Writing Scholars peer;
  • Feedback from a former TIA editor on a writing project; 
  • Monthly conversations with discussants who have experience in academic publishing, including journal editors, reviewers, and writers who have published in a variety of journals;
  • Resources to create a structured writing practice and research agenda. 

Participants commit to…

  • Plan for and engage in regular (daily, weekly) writing practice;
  • Starting in June, meet once per month with a Writing Scholar peer to give and receive feedback (at a mutually convenient time);
  • Starting in July, meet the last Friday of each month at 11am ET with the whole group for a discussion on scholarly publishing featuring a facilitator with experience in academic publishing;
  • In November, submit a document (e.g., a draft, outline, or even an expanded sketch of an idea) for feedback by former TIA editors.

Eligibility:

  • Individuals with a writing project in any stage of development–from an idea to article draft.
  • Individuals who meet any of the following criteria:
    • Individuals from historically underrepresented groups in higher education including, but not limited to individuals who identify as racial and/or ethnic minorities (as defined within the U.S. context); LGBTQIA+ individuals; and individuals with disabilities.
    • Individuals working at institutions historically underrepresented in POD including, but not limited to: Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Native American Tribal Colleges, Hispanic-Serving Institutions or Hispanic Area Colleges and Institutions, Minority-Serving Institutions (or those aspiring to become MSI’s), and community colleges. 
    • Applicants who will join the POD Network or who are current POD Network members who will contribute to POD’s mission over the long term with particular interests related to social justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (writ large) in educational development.

Please Note: 

Participation in the writing group does not guarantee acceptance of your work in TIA. All manuscripts must go through the formal, anonymous review process. 

To Apply:

Please submit this form by May 1, 2023, 11:59pm ET. Decisions will be announced by early June. 

On the application form you will be asked to provide:

  • A brief overview (1-2 paragraphs) of your article idea 
  • A description of the stage of development of your project (e.g., just an idea; a rough draft; a few sentences; etc.)
  • A brief discussion (1-2 paragraphs) of what you hope to get from the group and what you hope to contribute
  • A brief discussion of the way(s) in which you meet any of the above eligibility criteria
  • Your POD Network membership status (We encourage applications from those eligible to apply regardless of membership status)
  • Any commitments or conflicts that would prevent you from fully participating in the group. (If you already know that you are unable to attend 2 or more sessions, we encourage you to apply in a future semester.)
  • Any topics not listed that you would be interested in exploring
  • Anything else you would like us to know