Challenges Unite Us: Developing Doctoral Students’ Polyvocal Writing Community

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Teacher Leadership and Faculty Learning Communities (Table 13)

Abstract

The purpose of this polyvocal self-study is to investigate how academic and personal experiences of nine doctoral students’ online writing community enhance our writing practices. We articulate our findings through narratives with metaphors of participants' choice. Within a small community, we support each other and co-create a new learning space with creativity. Data includes nine short narratives. We created matrix sheets for color-coding words. Two themes appeared: Supporting and inclusive community to enhance our sense of security, and Sharing emotions and inspirations for (creative) writing. Results revealed that respect for diversity and mutual support within the community are key to achieve our goal of completing doctoral dissertations. Our polyvocality adds rich meanings for our writing community.

Authors

• Megumi Nishida, University of Iceland

• Guðlaug Erlendsdóttir, University of Iceland

• Ruth Jörgensdóttir Rauterberg, University of Iceland

• Meghan Catherine Orman, University of Pittsburgh

• Jónína Sæmundsdóttir, University of Iceland

• Ásta Möller Sívertsen, University of Iceland

• Cynthia Trililani, University of Iceland

• Soffía Valdimarsdóttir, University of Iceland

• Anna Katarzyna Wozniczka, University of Iceland