Research at the University Writing Center

University Writing Center Research

The University Writing Center is an active research site on Writing Center theory and practice. Below is a list of research and publication that has taken place at the University Writing Center. In addition to publications, our staff regularly present at national and international conferences and are committed to being part of ongoing scholarly conversations about the teaching of writing.

Publications

2024

English, English A. (2024). Hospitality in the Writing Center: A Conceptual Framework for Tutors. Journal of College Reading and Learning, 1-18.

2023

Adepoju, Olalekan T.  (In Press) "Discursive Practices in Recurring Asynchronous Writing Center Consultations" Writing Center Journal.

Williams, Bronwyn T. "Writing Centers, Enclaves, and Creating Spaces of Change Within Universities," Writing Center Journal: Vol. 40 : 3,:2. (2022) 7-20.

Williams, Bronwyn T.  "Making Sense of How Things Feel: Attending to the Emotional Experiences in Writing Programs. in Sensemaking for Writing Programs and Writing Centers. Rita Malenczyk, Ed. Utah State University Press. (2023). 85-106.

2021

Williams, Bronwyn T. "Writing Center Consultations as Emotional Experiences: How Different Learning Experiences Shape Student Perceptions of Agency." In Pedagogical Perspectives on Cognition and Writing. J. Michael Rifenburg, Patricia Portanova, and Duane Roen, Eds. Parlor Press. (2021) 303-322.

2020

Adepoju, Olalekan. “Rethinking Tutor-Writer Engagement in Asynchronous Consultations: A Conversational Approach to Recurring Witten Feedback Appointments” The Dangling Modifier. (2020) Fall.

2019

Nichols, Amy McCleese and Bronwyn T. Williams. "Centering Partnerships: A Case for Writing Centers as Sites of Community Engagement," Community Literacy. (2019) 13.2. 88-106.

Bender Smith, Ashly, Tika Lamsal, Adam Robinson, and Bronwyn T. Williams. "Find Something You Can Believe In": The Effect of Dissertation Writing Retreats on Graduate Students' Identities as Writers." in Re/Writing the Center: Approaches to Supporting Graduate Students in the Writing Center. Susan Lawrence and Terry Myers Zawacki, Eds. Logan: UT: Utah State University Press. 204-222. (2019). 204-222.

Gordon, Layne Porta. “Genre Theory.” Theories and Methods of Writing Center Studies: A Practical Guide, edited by Jo Mackiewicz and Rebecca Babcock. Routledge, 2019.

2018

Book, Cassandra. "Is This Your First Visit?: User-Experience and Writing Centers' Online Presence. Southern Discourse in the Center. Vol. 22. Issue 2. (2018).

Williams, Bronwyn T. Literacy Practices and Perceptions of Agency: Composing Identities. London: Routledge. (2018).

2017

Brydon-Miller, Mary; Gayá, Patricia; Noone, Paul; Willatt, Alice; Book, Cassandra; Cohen, Stephen; Nichols, Amy; Tetrault, Laura; Williams, Bronwyn. "Pass the Parcel: The Ever Expanding Impact of Critical Utopian Action Research." In: Gleerup, Janne; Egmose, Jonas; Hansen, Hans Peter; Clausen, Laura Tolnov: Change and Knowledge.Science for People and With People. Department for People and Technology. Roskilde University (2017). Roskilde. pp 9-20 

2015

Book, Cassandra and Maureen McCoy “Tutor Observations as a Tool for Creating a Supportive and Productive Tutoring Environment” in Communicating Advice: Peer Tutoring and Communication Practice. Wendy Atkins-Sayre and Eunkyong L. Yook, Eds. New York: Peter Lang. 301-306. (2015).

2014

Gordon, Layne M.P. “Beyond Generalist vs. Specialist: Making Connections between Genre Theory and Writing Center Pedagogy.” Praxis 11.2 (2014): n.p.

2012

Olson, Barrie E. “Learning to Appreciate the Faculty Consultation.” Writing Lab Newsletter 37.1-2 (2012): 14-15.

2010

Rosner, Mary, and Regan Wann. “Talking Heads and Other Body Parts: Documenting Writing Center Interactions.” Writing Lab Newsletter 34.6 (2010): 7-11.

2009

Neaderhiser, Stephen, and Joanna Wolfe. “Between Technological Endorsement and Resistance: The State of Online Writing Centers.” Writing Center Journal 29.1 (2009): 49-77.

2007

Griffin, Jo Ann. “Making Connections with Writing Centers.” Multimodal Composition: Resources for Teachers. Ed. Cynthia L. Selfe. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press, 2007. 153-165.

2006

Griffin, Jo Ann, Daniel Keller, Iswari P. Pandey, Anne-Marie Pedersen, and Carolyn Skinner. “Local Practices, National Consequences: Surveying and (Re)Constructing Writing Center Identities.” Writing Center Journal, 26.2 (2006): 3-21.

2002

Ervin, Christopher. “The Writing Centers Research Project Survey Results, Academic Year 2000-2001.” Writing Lab Newsletter 27.1 (2002): 1-4.

Dissertations

2023

Adepoju, Olalekan. "Difference in/at the Center: A Transnational Approach for Mobilizing International Multilingual Graduate Writers' Writing Assets During Writing Instruction." Diss. University of Louisville. 2023

2021

English, Edward. "Imagination in Practice: Writing Studies and the Application of Hospitality." Diss. University of Louisville. 2021

Newman, Jessica. "The Space Between: Listening Within Difference in Writing Center Consultations." Diss. University of Louisville. 2021.

2020

Book, Cassandra. "Students at a Crossroads: TA Development Across Pedagogical and Curricular Contexts." Diss. Old Dominion University. 2020

2010

Block, Rebecca. “Reading Aloud in the Writing Center: A Comparative Analysis of Three Tutoring Methods.” Diss. University of Louisville, 2010.

Egnew Smith, Allison. “Writing in/on the Borderlands: (Basic) Writers and the Writing Center.” Diss. University of Louisville, 2010.

2008

Brown, Kate. “Breaking into the Tutor’s Mailbox: An Investigation into Strategies Used in Writing Center Tutorials.” Diss. University of Louisville, 2008.

Griffin, Jo Ann. “Distance Learning Technologies and Writing Center Conferences: A Comparative Analysis of Three Methods for Delivering Consultations at a Distance.” Diss. University of Louisville, 2008.

2007

Smitherman, Carrie. “Oral Histories of the National Writing Centers Association: A Look at Group  Dynamics.” Diss. University of Louisville, 2007.

M.A. Theses and Culminating Projects

2021

Harmeling, Kendyl. "Circumventing Self-Destruction: A Study on Imposter Syndrome, Affect Dissonance,and the Power of Hospitality in a First-Year Graduate Program." Culminating Project. 2021.

2020

Soule, Elizabeth. "The Infrastructure for Student Success: The University Writing Center and Student Services. Culminating Project. 2020.

2019

Dugan, Nicole.“Writing the Self: First-Generation Students, Personal Statements and Textual Authority.” Culminating Project. 2019

Hall, Taryn. "Gendered Microagressions and Navigation of Consultant Authority in Writing Center Sessions. Culminating Project. 2019

2018

Coles, Carrie. "Encouraging Atmospheres of Collaboration:A Study of the University of Louisville and Lindsey Wilson College Writing Centers. Culminating Project. 2018.

2017

Wasson, Alex. "The Writing Center Pitch: Investigating the Institutional Dynamics of the In-Class Informational Presentation." Culminating Project. 2017.

2016

Babcock, Deanna. “From Center to Classroom: How Writing Center Pedagogy Shapes First Year Teachers.” Culminating Project. University of Louisville, 2016.

Douglas, Mariah. “An Examination of Three Strategies for Addressing Student Concerns about Grades and Authority Figures during Writing Center Consultations.” Culminating Project. University of Louisville, 2016.

Gathof, Taylor. “Inclusivity in the Writing Center: (Re)Examining the Role of Foundational Writing-Center Scholarship.” Culminating Project. University of Louisville, 2016.

2015

Johnson, Carly. “Community College Writing Centers: Exploring Practices and Ideas for the Future.” Culminating Project. University of Louisville, 2015.

2014

Boyett, Megen. “‘Learn Me the Best Way’: Benefits and Challenges of Working with ELL Students in the Virtual Writing Center.” Culminating Project. University of Louisville, 2014.

2012

Hallman, Rebecca: "'It's not what you say its how you form it': Investigating Commenting Formats and Content in FYC and Virtual Writing Center Responses." Thesis. University of Louisville, 2012.

2010

Bone Wiser, Melissa. "Gendered Gestures: Nonverbal Communication and Gender in the Writing Center." Thesis. University of Louisville, 2010.

2007

Cigelske, Azor: "An Addendum to Tutor Training: Negotiating Reading Out Loud in Writing Center Sessions.” Thesis. University of Louisville, 2007.

2005

Ragland, Nathan: “Writing Center Tutorials and Sex Differences in Nonverbal Communication." Thesis.  University of Louisville, 2005.