Reflections on the Inaugural EuroSoTL Collaborative Writing Group Experience – Getting It “Write” in Groningen

by Professors Earle Abrahamson and Dawne Irving-Bell

As the EuroSoTL 2025 Conference set out to explore the theme “Making Connections through the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL),” few initiatives embodied this vision more profoundly than the inaugural EuroSoTL Collaborative Writing Groups (ESCWG). Inspired by the ISSOTL writing groups model, this innovative initiative brought together a vibrant mix of scholars, students, and disciplinary experts across borders and contexts to co-create scholarly outputs rooted in collaboration, reflection, and shared passion.

Convened by Professors Earle Abrahamson and Dawne Irving-Bell from the UK, the ESCWG began its journey online in January 2025, growing momentum and depth as six diverse groups tackled key SoTL themes. These included “Becoming in SoTL,” “Contextual Identities,” “Non-Traditional Teaching,” “Access and Digital Literacies,” “Hope Circuits,” and “Decoding and Disrupting the Disciplines.” Each group was led by one or two facilitators who not only set the scholarly tone but also cultivated an environment of trust, openness, and curiosity. Participants were invited to draw from personal experiences, institutional practices, and cultural lenses, enriching the collaborative writing process with nuance and authenticity ESCWG 2025

On June 17th, the ESCWG experience reached a meaningful crescendo with an in-person gathering in Groningen, a city renowned for its academic heritage and youthful energy. The writing groups convened in the Harmoniebuilding, part of the University of Groningen’s historic Faculty of Arts—just steps from the iconic Academy Building. The setting, steeped in intellectual tradition and architectural charm, provided a deeply inspiring backdrop for scholarly engagement.

More than just a meeting of minds, the ESCWG became a celebration of scholarly community. The energy in Groningen was electric—conversations flowed, connections deepened, and creative ideas blossomed. Whether groups are crafting journal articles, developing wikis, or shaping other scholarly artefacts, the outputs already reflect a synergy that transcends geography and discipline.

The day was further enriched by thoughtfully curated social and educational experiences—quizzes, storytelling, and shared meals—which fostered a spirit of camaraderie and playfulness. This human dimension reminded us that scholarship is not only about output, but also about the people, relationships, and moments that make the process meaningful.

What began as a digital dialogue has now transformed into an enduring scholarly network, with work continuing online beyond Groningen. The ESCWG has proven to be a model for what collaborative SoTL can achieve—blending rigorous inquiry with inclusive, relational pedagogy. As we look ahead to future iterations of the ESCWG, one thing is clear: in Groningen, we didn’t just get together—we got it write.