Student Writer-in-Residence

Position Title: Western Student Writer-in-Residence

Remuneration: Honorarium $1500.00 ($750 in December, $750 in April)

In addition, the SWIR will have an events budget of a maximum of $500.00 to pay for refreshments or supplies to support SWIR-led events.

Hours of Work: 5 hours per week on average

Term: September - April

The mandate of the Western Student Writer-in-Residence (SWIR) program is to provide support for an accomplished undergraduate writer while enabling other students to benefit from the writer’s creativity, mentorship, and organizational skills. The SWIR will support and foster exchange among aspiring student writers and contribute to the culture of creativity across campus. The SWIR program is reserved for students in their fourth year of their undergraduate degree.

The SWIR is expected to provide mentorship for student writers, to take a leadership role at a variety of literary and cultural events on campus, and to develop and present their own writing. The responsibilities of the SWIR include:

• Holding regular office hours for 2 hours per week to consult with and mentor other student writers;
• Visiting writing classes/workshops, campus clubs, the Coterie, AHSC publication meetings, or other relevant organizations, and through social media to make the SWIR position known to students;
• Providing opportunities for student writers to present and develop their work, eg., sponsoring readings, hosting workshops, poetry slams, etc.
• Attending and encouraging student participation at creative writing and arts events across campus;
• Meeting with and providing support for editorial boards and writers of various student publications, including online blogs and magazines such as Occasus, the Arts and Humanities Students’ Council publications Semicolon, Symposium, etc.
• Consulting and/or collaborating with the Western Writer-in-Residence on their activities;
• Maintaining an activity log, including the names and dates of meetings with peer writers as well as participation in events and class visits;
• Submitting a reflection piece / final report of approximately 1000 words describing their accomplishments and contributions during the residency to the Department of English and Writing Studies at the completion of their term in April.

The SWIR position is reserved for undergraduate students entering their fourth or final year at Western. The application and selection process for the next Student Writer-in-Residence position takes place between February and April, in preparation for the following academic year. For more information about the position or how to apply, please contact Professor Aaron Schneider at aschnei4@uwo.ca.