Category: AI Writing

How to Discuss GenAI in Writing Consultations

AI Writing, Graduate Students, Tutor Publications, Tutorial Talk and Methods, Writing Center Research, Writing Center Tutors, Writing Centers

By Brady Hall and Emma Bapst, Miami University of Ohio—AI has become part of our writing center ecosystems. Whether we like it or not, students use it in their processes. Some professors require it in their courses; others ban it completely. This leaves students caught in the middle, trying to satisfy competing interests. As students perform to try to satisfy their instructors, they are learning a “hidden curriculum,” or knowledge that travels behind the network of traditional classroom education with regard to AI. These contexts permeate writing center experiences as well. With coexisting perspectives of AI refusal and acceptance, it can be difficult for writing center consultants to feel comfortable addressing AI use with students at all. 

April 14, 2026
Yellow dandelions growing between gray pavement stones.

Supporting Tutors and Writers Amid Heightened Risk: Navigating Writing Center Work in the U.S., 2026

AI Writing, Higher Education, Tutorial Talk and Methods, Undergraduate Students, Writing Center pedagogy, Writing Center Tutors, Writing Centers

By Anonymous—The field has long emphasized the collaborative ethos of writing center work (Harris, 1988; Lunsford, 1991). Within this framework, writing centers are often positioned as “safe” or “low-stakes” environments where writers can experiment, explore identities, and develop confidence in their voices (McNamee & Miley, 2017). But the ability of writing centers to function as “low-stakes” environments depends on the broader social conditions in which writers and tutors live. […]

March 24, 2026
A human shaped robot with its hand on its chin with mathematical equations in the background

ChatGPT and Writing Center Tutors: Establishing a “both/and” Relationship

AI Writing, Multilingual Writers, Peer Tutoring, Technology, Writing Center pedagogy, Writing Center Tutors, Writing Centers

By Jun Akiyoshi, The Pennsylvania State University, and Rajwan Alshareefy, University of Delaware—Both of us, Jun and Rajwan, have similar backgrounds. We worked as EFL/ESL teachers, studied in an interdisciplinary area of Composition and Applied Linguistics, enjoyed talking about research and practice of writing education, and most importantly, we worked together at the same writing center when we were graduate students. Even after we earned our Ph.D.s, we continued to engage with, learn about, and research (writing) education. Throughout the years, we often talked about the theory and praxis of (college) writing, second language education, among many others. Our conversations became more heated when […]

August 13, 2024
Laptop on desk showing Open AI website and text “Introducing ChatGPT”

AI in the Writing Center: Small Steps and Scenarios

AI Writing, Peer Tutoring, Tutor Publications, Tutorial Talk and Methods, Writing Center pedagogy, Writing Centers

By Thomas Deans, Noah Praver, and Alexander Solod, University of Connecticut—Even those far from college writing programs are talking more about writing these days, and we all know why: AI. Some disciplinary associations, including CCCC, MLA, and AWAC, have formed task forces on AI, posted working papers, or issued position statements (nothing yet from IWCA). Some writing centers have started creating materials to guide tutors. And all of us will be mulling over how to handle […]

August 1, 2023