Third Spaces Writing Collaboratives
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg used the term “third space” to refer to those places away from home and work that are neutral and non-hierarchical. Homi K. Bhabha argued that third spaces allow the marginalized to imagine liberation. The Faculty Diversity Writing Program embraces the idea of “third spaces” as a means of cultivating physical, mental, and institutional space to discuss shared challenges and aspirations, and to advance our professional and personal goals.
The Third Spaces Writing Program offers faculty of color a space to gather and interact while pursuing writing goals. Intended as supportive, participant-driven spaces, these writing sessions offer dedicated time and support for faculty to focus on scholarly writing and connect with colleagues around goals and challenges.
These virtual sessions create spaces for faculty of color to gather and interact while pursuing writing goals. Sessions begin with a small group 15-minute check-in, with each participant introducing themselves, their writing project, and specific writing goals. Participants will then work independently on their writing goals, reconvening in the final 15 minutes to discuss their progress, challenges, and to set writing goals.
Joining us as group facilitators for the spring semester are Judyie Al-Bilali, Kiran Asher, Sonya Atalay, Cathy Luna, and Caroline Yang.
Spring Semester Sessions meet 9am-12pm (M-F) and 3-5pm (M-Th), Feb. 1 through May 7.
Join as many sessions as you’d like.
Mondays, 9-12 AM: Cathy Luna, Facilitator - Register
Mondays, 3-5 PM: Caroline Yang, Facilitator - Register
Tuesdays, 9-12 AM: Kiran Asher, Facilitator - Register
Tuesdays, 3-5 PM: Caroline Yang, Facilitator - Register
Wednesdays, 9-12 AM: Sonya Atalay, Facilitator - Register
Wednesdays, 3-5 PM: Caroline Yang, Facilitator - Register
Thursdays, 9-12 AM: Judyie Al-Bilali, Facilitator - Register
Thursdays, 3-5 PM: Kiran Asher, Facilitator - Register
Fridays, 9-12 AM: Sonya Atalay, Facilitator - Register
Workshops - Spring 2021
Third Spaces Workshop: Writing and Planning through Uncertain Times
Friday, February 12, 3-5pm - Register
In the first half of this ninety minute, ‘hands-on’ workshop, writing coach Cathy Luna will facilitate a conversation about strategies and resources we can use to begin, sustain, and finish our scholarly writing projects this semester. In the second half of the workshop, Cathy will share a process and some activities and guidelines for planning in these unusual times. Whether or not you plan to participate in the spring semester Virtual Community Writing sessions, this workshop will be an opportunity for you to cultivate effective writing strategies and develop a strategic plan.
Tenure/Promotion to Associate Professor: Opportunities and Challenges
Friday, February 19th, 2-3pm - Register
Dr. Lorraine Cordeiro, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, and Dr. Darrel Ramsey-Musolf, Associate Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning
For BIPOC faculty earning tenure/promotion to Associate Professor or NTT faculty going for promotion to Associate Professor. Enhancing tenure rates is central to remedying the shortage and retention of faculty of color in higher education. The objective of this workshop is to provide scholars with some of the information, strategies, and skills needed to facilitate the transition from junior faculty status to tenured associate professor, or in the case of NTT faculty for promotion to associate professor.
Workload Accommodation Session
Thursday, May 13 – 1:00-2:00 pm - Register
Facilitated by Dr. Lorraine Cordeiro, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition
Interested in working in a group format to complete your workload accommodation report for Spring 2021? Join us for this accountability session to draft your report and get it ready for submission on APWS at the end of spring semester.
Spring Semester Forums
Presumed Incompetent: Experiences of Women of Color in Academia - A Session for BIPOC Faculty
Friday, March 5th, 12-1pm - OPEN TO BIPOC FACULTY - Register
Facilitated by Dr. Lorraine Cordeiro, Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition
Panelists: Dr. Mari Castañeda, Dean, Commonwealth Honors College, Dr. Whitney Battle-Baptiste, and Dr. Miliann Kang
We will explore race, gender, and class through personal narratives that reveal both the privileges and challenges faced by academic women of color as they navigate various stages of their career in higher education, including hiring, promotion, and tenure. Our panelists will share their wisdom, humor, and recommendations for academic women of color.
Native American/Indigenous/First Nations Faculty – Risk, Resilience, and Finding Your Peace in Academia
Friday, April 2, 11am-1pm - OPEN TO INDIGENOUS/NATIVE AMERICAN/FIRST NATIONS FACULTY - Register
A special forum for Native American/Indigenous/First Nations Faculty facilitated by Dr. Michelle Jacob, Professor and member of the Yakima Nation
Dr. Michelle M. Jacob is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and is Professor of Indigenous Studies and Director of the Sapsik’ʷałá (Teacher) Education Program in the Department of Education Studies at the University of Oregon. Michelle also serves as Affiliated Faculty in the Department of Indigenous, Race, and Ethnic Studies, and Affiliated Faculty in the Environmental Studies Program. Michelle engages in scholarly and activist work that seeks to understand and work toward a holistic sense of health and well-being within Indigenous communities and among allies who wish to engage decolonization.
Black Faculty – Determination, Talent, and Triumphs
A special forum for Black Faculty - Friday, May 21 – 1:00-2:30 pm - Register
This session will be led by Dr. Jessica Graham-LoPresti and Dr. Tahirah Adullah-Swain, renowned faculty and co-founders of BARE Mental Health & Wellness. Facilitated by Dr. Lorraine Cordeiro.
The presence, value, research, teaching, service, and DEI contributions of Black faculty is essential to university students, as well as colleagues in higher education. Yet, Black faculty are disproportionately underrepresented as professors in academia and at the top ranks of the higher education system. The experiences of Black faculty are rarely topics of discussion in higher education, despite research indicating that college/university environments present structural barriers to advancement, particularly as Black faculty face institutional and person racism. Black scholars have linked these experiences to their attrition.
- Dr. Graham-LoPresti is co-founder of BARE Mental Health & Wellness, and an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Suffolk University. Dr. Graham-LoPresti graduated from Williams College with a B.A. in Psychology and American Studies and received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She has focused her career on promoting the resilience, health, and well-being of people and communities of color and has published extensively on the multi-level impact of racism on mental health as well as barriers to quality and effective mental healthcare for underserved and underrepresented communities.
- Dr. Abdullah-Swain is co-founder of BARE Mental Health & Wellness, and an Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She received her B.A. in Psychology and Africana Studies from the University of Miami, and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Kentucky. Dr. Abdullah-Swain's research focuses on the impact of racism and discrimination on mental health, barriers to help-seeking for mental health problems, mental illness and mental health treatment stigma, and understanding Black Americans' therapy experiences.
Other Upcoming Events from the UMass Amherst Office of Equity & Inclusion:
https://www.umass.edu/diversity/events
