Writing workshop

“When taking the role of co-reader or co-supervisor, I can pass on some encouragement to more junior supervisors. The way to get them into a different mindset is to expose ourselves with our own work. One practice, that I fostered, was called “The Writing Workshop”. In these writing workshops, we invited everyone to come and subject their papers to discussion. There were no presentations; the only ground rule was that whenever you attend a workshop, you must have read in advance the paper to be discussed. Second, you must come with your written comments on the paper. The author gives a few sentences of introduction, and then it is open for discussion. Everyone contributes their comments and discusses the paper in a very honest way—obviously in the anticipation that their own paper may be next in line. Afterwards, all the workshop participants hand over their comments to the author of the paper discussed. So, as an author, you get a stack of papers with others’ comments. Essentially, this is a frank review for the author. It doesn’t matter who you are, what matters is the discussion. You step out of the role of an accomplished professor. You are just an author. This is very beneficial and motivating. And so, the writing workshop creates a huge boost of energy. It always involves doctoral students, and you can simulate it at the MA level as well by bringing together your mentees and letting them learn from each other. This is a way to create more opportunities at our institutions. We should take these opportunities, and we have the freedom to do this.”

(Ansgar Richter)