Professionalising the Writing Tutor role through research-informed practice

The aim of this session, led by a panel from Coventry University’s Centre for Academic Writing, is to offer both practice- and research-based reflections on the challenges in contemporary academic writing tutor development, and create a space for an interactive discussion to share practices and find solutions to emerging issues.

Initially, the discussion will focus on the challenges of enculturating writing tutors into their relevant communities of practice, discourse communities, and research networks.

In a second area of focus, the panel will consider what it is that constitutes a ‘writing tutor’ in contemporary contexts. This will involve an overview of the range of identities and roles present in academic writing support, and will offer perspectives on reconciling these apparently disparate roles. 

In a third and final discussion, the panel will focus on the role of technology in not only revolutionising academic writing support, but also the roles and practices of academic writing tutors. Issues of digital pedagogies, technologies, and digital literacies will permeate this final discussion with a view to offering a number of guidelines, suggestions, and solutions.