Sustaining writing-for-publication practices during COVID-19: Online writing groups at an Ecuadorian University

Abstract

his chapter presents how online peer-feedback writing groups (WGs), composed of participants coming from a multidisciplinary research team at an Ecuadorian public university, provided their members with the support necessary to advance with their publication writing projects during the Covid-19 pandemic. After reviewing ten semi-structured interviews conducted with the participants and reflecting on her role as a coordinator, the author considers the aspects that seem to have positively influenced the implementation and continuation of these online WGs in comparison to her previous experience with their face-to-face counterparts. In this sense, three important themes that sustained participants’ scientific writing endeavors in these groups are presented: structure and consistency through WG functioning rules, the coordinator’s role enhanced by shared experiences and trust, and the role of digital technology and its influence on members’ interactions. Although there were also some challenges associated with the change to an online environment, for the most part, members seem to have experienced a positive pressure to focus more time on their writing, thus making their participation in the online WGs worth their time and effort. To conclude, the chapter offers some advice on strategies that can be implemented in similar contexts and situations in the future.