AERA Writing & Literacies SIG
@writinglit.bsky.social
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This becomes most important at the point of campus visits. Start your talk w/ a brief introduction to who you are. Not only in terms of your research & scholarship, but in regards to what you value, your axiological commitments. For some, this is the only time they'll interface w/ you #literacies
Q6: How can you best communicate who you are as a person/researcher to different audiences and contexts with integrity (staying true to yourself)? #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 2:06 AM
This becomes most important at the point of campus visits. Start your talk w/ a brief introduction to who you are. Not only in terms of your research & scholarship, but in regards to what you value, your axiological commitments. For some, this is the only time they'll interface w/ you #literacies
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For sure- What do you mean there is only a limited window and chance to get a job for the next academic year? What do you mean, your current institution won't just hire you? What do you mean, they are only looking for a very specific, narrower skill set? This list goes on......
January 28, 2026 at 1:59 AM
For sure- What do you mean there is only a limited window and chance to get a job for the next academic year? What do you mean, your current institution won't just hire you? What do you mean, they are only looking for a very specific, narrower skill set? This list goes on......
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I think this question is a great reminder that even when you don't "get the job," being on the market can be a great way to meet people that you'll possibly reconnect with at places like AERA or other conferences.
January 28, 2026 at 1:34 AM
I think this question is a great reminder that even when you don't "get the job," being on the market can be a great way to meet people that you'll possibly reconnect with at places like AERA or other conferences.
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Yes! I highly encourage everyone to attend these practice talks (as well as actual job talks for positions at your institution). They're great learning opportunities.
January 28, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Yes! I highly encourage everyone to attend these practice talks (as well as actual job talks for positions at your institution). They're great learning opportunities.
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I think that's great advice. I think demystifying the process is helpful for all of us, including our loved ones.
January 28, 2026 at 1:45 AM
I think that's great advice. I think demystifying the process is helpful for all of us, including our loved ones.
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If hearings/defenses are closed, it’s also a culture in my department to be intentional about choosing a notetaker who is a year or two behind us so they can see and learn from the process #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:54 AM
If hearings/defenses are closed, it’s also a culture in my department to be intentional about choosing a notetaker who is a year or two behind us so they can see and learn from the process #literacies
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A6: This is on my mind a lot! Both committee and interviewee are vetting each other ➡️ "What would it be like to work at this place, with these people?" #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:57 AM
A6: This is on my mind a lot! Both committee and interviewee are vetting each other ➡️ "What would it be like to work at this place, with these people?" #literacies
Join us Tuesday, February 24th for our next #literacies chat with Dr. Raúl Alberto Mora @elpatronhimself.bsky.social !
January 28, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Join us Tuesday, February 24th for our next #literacies chat with Dr. Raúl Alberto Mora @elpatronhimself.bsky.social !
For those joining us at a later date, there is so much practical and uplifting wisdom throughout the chat! We hope everyone is taking away something new! #literacies
Thank you for inviting me. Best of luck to those on the market (or preparing to go on the market)! It was wonderful to engage with everyone.
January 28, 2026 at 1:59 AM
For those joining us at a later date, there is so much practical and uplifting wisdom throughout the chat! We hope everyone is taking away something new! #literacies
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Community! Fortunately, I had a wealth of folks who were committed to my success - both near peers who were learning and watching me navigate a tenuous job market as well as senior mentors who were cheering me on from the sidelines (and writing lots of rec letters). Also, stay hydrated. #literacies
Q5: What resources did you draw upon to sustain yourself through the emotional experience of the job market? #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Community! Fortunately, I had a wealth of folks who were committed to my success - both near peers who were learning and watching me navigate a tenuous job market as well as senior mentors who were cheering me on from the sidelines (and writing lots of rec letters). Also, stay hydrated. #literacies
Using the job talk as a bridge for how you fit an institution and its context! #literacies
For my job talk, the heart of my presentation didn’t change. I did though spend a lot of time researching the university and state/local contexts so I could speak to how my work might look in those contexts. I tried to make a case for how my research might support local, state, institutional needs.
January 28, 2026 at 1:55 AM
Using the job talk as a bridge for how you fit an institution and its context! #literacies
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A5: I'm leaning heavily on my fellow academic friends (also on the job market, recently on the job market) because it really is difficult to explain everything [gestures wildly around] to our friends/families outside academia #literacies Also, analog hobbies help distract me from my Inbox!
January 28, 2026 at 1:52 AM
A5: I'm leaning heavily on my fellow academic friends (also on the job market, recently on the job market) because it really is difficult to explain everything [gestures wildly around] to our friends/families outside academia #literacies Also, analog hobbies help distract me from my Inbox!
Thank you all for joining tonight! Please keep in touch and explore Dr. Hedrick-Shaw's upcoming work! #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Thank you all for joining tonight! Please keep in touch and explore Dr. Hedrick-Shaw's upcoming work! #literacies
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Anchor your interests & lines of inquiry in broader, field-specific problem-spaces, but also help the committee understand how you will contribute to its many programs, initiatives, & offerings! Always ask the following: "What would a successful first year look like for this position" #literacies
Q3: What is your best advice for approaching the first round interview? #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:48 AM
Anchor your interests & lines of inquiry in broader, field-specific problem-spaces, but also help the committee understand how you will contribute to its many programs, initiatives, & offerings! Always ask the following: "What would a successful first year look like for this position" #literacies
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Love the idea of storytelling as a practice that can ground many different audiences in why a topic matters! #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Love the idea of storytelling as a practice that can ground many different audiences in why a topic matters! #literacies
The mental reframe to focus on 'telling the story of who we are' feels particularly empowering, especially as we think about giving (potential) colleagues glimpses of what it would mean to work together! #literacies
A6. This can be challenging. We can be so close to our work and forget that others might not be as interested. We have to take a step back and tell the story of who we are, how we came to our work, and why the topic we’re sharing matters (or should matter to others not in our field). #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:50 AM
The mental reframe to focus on 'telling the story of who we are' feels particularly empowering, especially as we think about giving (potential) colleagues glimpses of what it would mean to work together! #literacies
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It depends. I knew I wanted to mentor PhD students. That was a critical criterion for me when looking for jobs, so small liberal arts schools that focused solely on the undergraduate experience did not offer that dimension of work 🤷♂️ My take? Make a pro/con list about what you love to do #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:44 AM
It depends. I knew I wanted to mentor PhD students. That was a critical criterion for me when looking for jobs, so small liberal arts schools that focused solely on the undergraduate experience did not offer that dimension of work 🤷♂️ My take? Make a pro/con list about what you love to do #literacies
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Keeping myself in a state of "I'm excited about the possibilities but not too excited about any one in particular to protect my peace" is a fun rollercoaster to be stuck on 🙃 #literacies
I often say, you need to bring your best self- because getting a job has so much to do with you- AND also, there are so many things that have nothing to do with you (the esoteric notion of 'fit').
January 28, 2026 at 1:44 AM
Keeping myself in a state of "I'm excited about the possibilities but not too excited about any one in particular to protect my peace" is a fun rollercoaster to be stuck on 🙃 #literacies
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Apart from submitting the applications, search committees move at different timelines. The key for me was learning to be patient. Some committees moved fast, others took 1 month+ to get back to me, many I never heard back from.
January 28, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Apart from submitting the applications, search committees move at different timelines. The key for me was learning to be patient. Some committees moved fast, others took 1 month+ to get back to me, many I never heard back from.
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I guess I should add: Preparing applications meant drafting my base documents (cover letter, CV, research/teaching/mentoring statements) and getting LOTS of feedback.
January 28, 2026 at 1:23 AM
I guess I should add: Preparing applications meant drafting my base documents (cover letter, CV, research/teaching/mentoring statements) and getting LOTS of feedback.
Q6: How can you best communicate who you are as a person/researcher to different audiences and contexts with integrity (staying true to yourself)? #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Q6: How can you best communicate who you are as a person/researcher to different audiences and contexts with integrity (staying true to yourself)? #literacies
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I heard a piece of advice recently to not be afraid to tell friends about the jobs, fellowships, scholarships we apply for, even as we worry about getting our hopes up or “jinxing” it…transparency helps us get the emotional support we need! I definitely struggle with this! #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:43 AM
I heard a piece of advice recently to not be afraid to tell friends about the jobs, fellowships, scholarships we apply for, even as we worry about getting our hopes up or “jinxing” it…transparency helps us get the emotional support we need! I definitely struggle with this! #literacies
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Ooof! Folks are navigating new realities concerning institutional budget 🫠 Typically, first-round notifications go out around 3 weeks after the close date, w/ many on-campus invitations happening about 2-3 weeks after Zooms. Of course, w/ conferences or others searches, timelines differ #literacies
Q2: What should you expect for job application timelines? #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:42 AM
Ooof! Folks are navigating new realities concerning institutional budget 🫠 Typically, first-round notifications go out around 3 weeks after the close date, w/ many on-campus invitations happening about 2-3 weeks after Zooms. Of course, w/ conferences or others searches, timelines differ #literacies
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Being concise to complete strangers is tough when we're trying to communicate enough but not too much—drafting some (brief! bulleted!) talking points helps me prep in a focused way #literacies
January 28, 2026 at 1:41 AM
Being concise to complete strangers is tough when we're trying to communicate enough but not too much—drafting some (brief! bulleted!) talking points helps me prep in a focused way #literacies