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This voluntary forum allows academics to
collaborate electronically for feedback and mutual accountability during
the long, unstructured summer months. Many participants are working on
their prospectuses, but others are doing pre - prospectus research, field
exam reading, dissertation chapters, lab or archival research, or
working/conference papers. Participants are divided into clusters of
4 - 6 individuals in the same academic division (social sciences,
humanities, natural sciences, etc.), who post work in progress on a
regular basis and provide each other with feedback. Participants from
all fields of academia and all institutions are welcome. Feel free to
forward this page to friends at other universities or in other fields.
The site is hosted on the CTools course and project management
platform at the University of Michigan. It allows users to upload
documents, have online discussions and chats, conduct dialogues via
email, and more. This is a secure and protected site, with access by
authorization only. See below for FAQ.
Ready to register? Click
here to go to the new registration form!
FAQ:
How much work do I have to do?
The site’s general rule is that each member is expected to post
at least once every two weeks, and to review and comment on all posts by
others. The expected length/magnitude of post or of comments is
determined by the cluster. Clusters may choose to expect posts
more frequently if the members desire it. Members who fail to post for
more than a month will be removed – free riding is not tolerated.
Is this for PhD students only?
No. A majority of us are, but Masters' students are welcome, as
are faculty -- anyone in academia or a similar situation who wants
accountability and support is welcome, regardless of rank or status.
Is my work secure?
Yes. The group uses the
University of Michigan’s
CTools course and project management platform as its host. Access is
restricted to those individuals participating in the work group. Some
groups have elected to share work only by email rather than posting, but
this is a group decision - the posting site is fully secure.
Do I have to go to UM to use
this?
No.
Non-University
of Michigan users
should create a ‘Friend’ account at
http://ctools.umich.edu/portal/login . (Bookmark that site for later
use.) Participants will receive an email from the coordinator with
further instructions on using the system once clusters are created.
When does it start? When does it
end?
The initial set of clusters will be formed by June 14, 2008,
from all responses received by that date. Participants should expect an
email from the coordinator shortly after this date containing cluster
assignments and access instructions. Additional clusters can be formed
during the summer as needed. The first posting will be due June 20,
2008. Clusters should expect to persist until
late August; some may choose to continue beyond that.
What if a bunch of us from my
department join? Can we be in a cluster together?
A major part of this site’s goal is to help participants obtain
external and, to the greatest extent possible, interdisciplinary
feedback – feedback from people you wouldn’t normally get
feedback from in the normal course of work. Depending on interest,
clusters may form for specific subfields – American history, ancient and
medieval literature – but in general we aim to have interdisciplinary or
at least inter-institutional clusters.
What if my work isn’t in English?
Non-English-language clusters are possible if interest exists;
please note your interest in your registration email, along with your
working language.
What if I’m doing primarily lab
work or field research?
If interest exists, clusters can be created to facilitate
postings of field/lab notes. While these documents themselves may not be
useful for obtaining feedback, posting will create an accountability
mechanism among the cluster’s members. Please note your interest in your
registration email.
What if my work is creative
rather than scholarly?
Poetry and fiction clusters are also possible. Other forms of
creative work such as music composition and studio art can also benefit
from feedback and accountability groups; clusters will be created if
interest exists. Please note your interest in your registration email,
along with an indication of the type of creative work involved.
What if I’m out of contact for an
extended period of time, say, doing field research or moving?
A hiatus for legitimate reasons is possible. Coordinate this
with your cluster to avoid being removed for inactivity.
My question’s not on here – but I
still want to know something.
Email the coordinator, Leanne Powner, at
LPowner@umich.edu.
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