An Ecology of Feedback: On Non-Circular Work-in-Progress Groups (guest post)

“What might an ‘ecology’ of work-in-progress reading groups look like?” In the following guest post, Georgi Gardiner (Tulane), who has spent some time thinking about novel forms of academic get-togethers (for example), explores the idea of “non-circular work in progress groups”. You can check out some of her other thoughts on the art of academic gatherings here. This is part of a series of guest posts by different authors at Daily Nous this summer. An Ecology of Feedback: On Non-Circular Work-in-Progress Groups by Georgi Gardiner My research has benefitted enormously from various ‘work in progress’ (WIP) research circles over the years. These groups have always had a reciprocal circle structure: We read each other’s drafts, or hear each other’s embryonic ideas, in turn. These various WIP gatherings have been either weekly or monthly, comprising between four and nine people, depending on the group. Some are in-person, others online. Ernie Sosa’s student group is a well-known and long-running example. It has spanned decades. I have organized many of these research circles. I recently wondered whether my assumption that work-in-progress groups should be a circle (i.e., reciprocal) is mistaken and limiting. Colloquia attendance is not a circle. We do not organize philosophy talks on the expectation that all talk attendees will, at some point, hear each other’s talks. Instead, talk attendance occurs within a broader research ecology: We all, at some point, have opportunities to hear talks and give talks. No direct reciprocity is expected. Can read-ahead sessions and embryonic idea-airing groups also work this way? That is, what would happen if people held read-ahead WIPs, or idea-airing WIPs, outside of an established research circle or department? (‘Embryonic idea airing’, or ‘popcorn talks’ are a very short—10 to 15 min—informal sketch of a new idea, followed by discussion. Well-developed ideas or polished talked are discouraged.) Would people attend and benefit? I think they would: People could attend topics they are most interested in or want to learn about. Many researchers love reading groups and discussing ideas, and would happily do so without expecting that the author being workshopped will ‘return the favour’ directly. And even if people viewed attending as ‘work’ or donating their time, they might still attend. We all give time and..
The post https://dailynous.com/2024/08/07/an-ecology-of-feedback-on-non-circular-work-in-progress-groups-guest-post/
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https://dailynous.com/2024/08/07/an-ecology-of-feedback-on-non-circular-work-in-progress-groups-guest-post/