Transferring Social Writing Practices to Our Communities in Finnish Universities

Abstract

In Finnish universities, social writing practices are not yet mainstream. In recent years in the Finnish academic community, however, scattered initiatives that promote social writing have emerged, such as collegial writing sessions using the Shut Up and Write model and writing retreats. We view social writing as a way to develop the academic community in Finland: writing is not a secret, solitary activity, but a legitimate action involving peer support and collegial relationships, benefitting both university institutions and their staff. In this chapter, we describe how we are transferring social writing practices to our communities. First, we describe how we introduce social writing at various levels, targeting master’s students, PhD candidates, and faculty during virtual weekly structured social writing groups and writing retreats. Second, we summarize the feedback we received and the challenges we have faced. In doing so, we consider how social writing can be used to create wellbeing during a pandemic and beyond. Finally, we reflect upon how research can be used to develop social writing practices.