The Elm

Are you struggling to find time to dedicate to your scholarly writing projects? Making time to write papers can be a challenging task as it competes with other faculty demands. To help UMB junior faculty meet this challenge, the Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) provides a peer accountability/support program designed to increase writing productivity. This program is called Scholarly Writing Accountability Group (SWAG).

Fall SWAG Opportunities:

Tuesdays, 8-9 a.m. (Oct. 4-Dec. 6)

Wednesdays, 2-3 p.m. (Oct. 12-Dec. 14)

Fridays, 9-10 a.m. (Sept. 30-Dec. 9)

To join any of these groups, please complete the following request form online: https://umbforms.wufoo.com/forms/request-to-join-swag

What is a SWAG?

A SWAG is an active peer-led writing group for UMB junior faculty who meet virtually for one hour, once a week over a 10-week period. Groups follow a structured agenda including 15 minutes of updates and goal-setting followed by 30 minutes of individual writing and then 15 minutes of reporting and wrap-up. Each group is limited to four to eight members who must commit to attending at least eight out of the 10 weekly sessions. In a SWAG, there is no peer review of writing; SWAGs focus on the process of writing, not the content. The purpose of SWAG is to help junior faculty get in the habit of 1) writing in short blocks of time daily or almost every day and 2) identifying and prioritizing feasible writing goals each week.

What Are the Benefits of Joining a SWAG? 

Faculty who join SWAG will:

• Develop new writing habits to achieve writing goals
• Improve time management skills
• Gain a greater sense of control over the writing process
• Build a small community of support/social network

A recent survey of former SWAG participants indicated 70 percent submitted one manuscript, while 50 percent submitted two or more manuscripts while participating in a SWAG group.

Want to Participate?

New SWAGs at UMB are being formed on a rolling basis. If you’re interested in participating but the aforementioned groups do not work with your schedule, please use the following request form to submit your availability: https://umbforms.wufoo.com/forms/request-to-join-swag

What are you waiting for? Join a SWAG and finish your manuscript!