Creative Writing in Higher Education

This wing of NAWE supports all those who teach and study on Creative Writing programmes throughout the UK. We maintain the UK’s only Directory of Writing Courses, and offer e-bulletins, events and publications. We have also published (for members only) a new Directory of External Examiners.

We aim to raise the profile of the excellent research and teaching taking place throughout the UK, and to support the further professional development of the diverse creative voices both driving and emerging from British universities.

Our specific aims are:

• to consolidate the standing and reputation of Creative Writing in HE, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level
• to campaign for the representation of Creative Writing on research bodies, such as the Arts and Humanities Research Council, the British Academy, and the Research Assessment Exercise
• to promote cultural diversity within Creative Writing in HE, helping to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds
• to collaborate with - and complement the work of - the English Subject Centre
• to provide a forum for debate on theory, pedagogy and research
• to offer professional development opportunities for students and teachers of creative writing

The network will be addressing current issues such as: the nature of practice-led research in creative writing; the contractual and career opportunities afforded HEI Creative Writing staff; the factors constraining professional development provision within university creative writing courses.

Further initiatives will include: liaison with other networks internationally, such as the AWP in the States and the AAWP in Australia; regional events promoting creative writing courses to schools and careers services; expanding the HE coverage within Writing in Education; developing new publishing opportunities for students and graduates; maintaining a central database of research.

For the network to operate to the best of its potential, we do need all institutions to join what we believe will be an exceptionally valuable, creative collaboration. We are urging everyone involved to join the network by registering as an Institutional Member of NAWE. Institutional membership can be tailored on request to the number of staff and students represented by contacting Sophie Flood.