{"id":16288,"date":"2026-04-14T08:01:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T13:01:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/?p=16288"},"modified":"2026-06-16T21:59:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T02:59:40","slug":"how-to-discuss-genai-in-writing-consultations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/how-to-discuss-genai-in-writing-consultations\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Discuss GenAI in Writing Consultations"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>By Brady Hall and Emma Bapst, Miami University of Ohio<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Generative 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 \u201chidden curriculum,\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst1-1024x305.png\" alt=\"pull quote reads, &quot;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.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-16302\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst1-1024x305.png 1024w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst1-300x89.png 300w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst1-768x229.png 768w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst1-1000x298.png 1000w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst1.png 1070w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This post presents questions for consultants to reflect on their experiences discussing GenAI in consultations, introduces frameworks to aid in these discussions, and relays some consultant experiences from the 2026 ECWCA writing center conference. We hope this will help consultants feel better prepared to address GenAI use in consultations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:22px\">A Reflective Framework<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Guided questions can be useful to help consultants reflect on their experiences and to aid in continuing training so that their insights may be applied to future practices. The questions below are based on Brady and Emma\u2019s roundtable presentation held at the 2026 ECWCA conference. The questions encouraged participants to draw from their experiences of discussing GenAI in consultations and co-create responses that may have better served the writers in that situation. In the process of telling stories, affective consultant responses were recognized and often shared by other participants, leading to moments of catharsis. These moments of catharsis, we think, are important for consultant wellbeing and might be replicated by giving consultants shared space to reflect on the following questions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst2-1024x305.png\" alt=\"pull quote reads, &quot;In the process of telling stories, affective consultant responses were recognized and often shared by other participants, leading to moments of catharsis.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-16303\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst2-1024x305.png 1024w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst2-300x89.png 300w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst2-768x229.png 768w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst2-1000x298.png 1000w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst2.png 1070w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following are the slides from the presentation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pdfemb-pdf-embedder-viewer\"><a href=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Brady-Hall-and-Emma-Bapst-_Discussing-GenAI-in-Writing-Consultations_-ECWCA-Slide-Deck-.pdf\" class=\"pdfemb-viewer\" style=\"\" data-width=\"max\" data-height=\"max\" data-toolbar=\"bottom\" data-toolbar-fixed=\"on\">Brady-Hall-and-Emma-Bapst-_Discussing-GenAI-in-Writing-Consultations_-ECWCA-Slide-Deck-<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This first set of questions asks consultants to reflect on their past experiences in consultations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If you have discussed GenAI use in consultations or with other consultants, what affective responses did you have?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In what ways have you seen writers use GenAI? Share a story?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Did you feel comfortable addressing or responding to the GenAI use? Why or why not?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Would you have responded differently looking back?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How should consultants talk to writers about varied perspectives from instructors, staff, etc?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"841\" src=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1350-1-1024x841.jpg\" alt=\"Brady Hall and Emma Bapst Presenting at the East Central Writing Centers Association.\" class=\"wp-image-16296\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1350-1-1024x841.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1350-1-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1350-1-768x630.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1350-1-1536x1261.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1350-1-2048x1681.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1350-1-365x300.jpg 365w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case Scenarios<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This set of case scenario questions asks consultants to put themselves in another consultant\u2019s shoes, to consider other experiences. Try to answer the questions based on your institution&#8217;s policies and your own practices and perspectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A consultant who is anti-AI has to work with a writer who discloses AI use in their composing process. What might a consultant say to that writer? What kind of training might prepare that consultant?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An ESL student comes to your writing center to discuss a final draft and states that they have used AI heavily for grammar, tone, and phrasing. How would you address this use in a consultation? How might an anti-AI policy or preference limit the ESL student?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reflections on personal and shared consultant experiences of discussing GenAI can be important for preparing future responses and encouraging consultant wellbeing. The questions above can help guide these reflections. Much can also be learned from examining the experiences of consultants in our writing center scholarship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:22px\">Perspectives from Consultants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2024, four Tutors\u2019 Columns in <em>WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship<\/em> have been dedicated to consultants questioning the role of GenAI in consultations (Patchen 2024; Lester 2024; Neves 2025; Hall 2025). This number alone says something about the urgency of the issue to consultants. Their experiences have run the gamut, expressing excitement, curiosity, confusion, nervousness, hesitancy, and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In research for our roundtable discussion, Brady and I analyzed these four tutor columns from <em>WLN: A Journal for Writing Center Scholarship<\/em>. Each column features personal stories from writing center consultants who navigated working with writers who use generative AI in their writing processes. Fascinatingly, the columns feature four unique perspectives on how GenAI should (or should not) be used or addressed. This current writing center scholarship shows how consultants are addressing AI use in student writing as well as using AI to help students with their writing processes. Engagement with the range of consultant perspectives and experiences can be helpful to consider how we might engage these discussions should they occur in future consultations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><em>Brady Hall<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I had my own experience as a consultant with confusion, nervousness, and curiosity with GenAI in a writing center appointment. This led me to write a Tutor\u2019s Column for <em>WLN<\/em>. As an undergraduate at Northern Kentucky University, I had a multilingual biology student come into the center. She was tasked with writing an essay, and brought pages of bullet points answering the necessary questions. Though the bullet points were difficult to read, she expressed an understanding of the course content verbally. She asked me if I would help her put the content into a chatbot and refine her work into a cohesive draft. First, I asked about the course policy; there was none. It seemed like her struggle came with expressing herself in Standard American English (SAE) and not with her understanding of the material.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Guided by the concept of linguistic equity, I decided to help her do it (more details included in article). I helped her examine the rubric for the assignment and we worked to prompt the chatbot in ways that would help construct the essay she was to write. At that moment, I felt uneasy. My training hadn\u2019t prepared me to address the situation, and so I had to rely on my understanding of writing, my ethics, and my evaluation of the student\u2019s content knowledge to proceed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><em>Dani Lester<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dani Lester\u2019s column addresses how generative AI use in writing processes can diminish authorial voice. After asking ChatGPT to analyze \u201cGlory of Women,\u201d a poem by Siefried Sassoon, Lester found the literary analysis insufficient and lacking. She suggests that writers who use AI \u201cfilter their authentic voices through a sieve that removes diversity and personal flair in favor of language partial to its creators\u201d (Lester).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">She also provides a story of a consultation in which she suspected a student had used AI in her writing. She noted the writing felt \u201cdisconnected\u201d (Lester). Instead of accusing the student of using AI, Lester asked the student why they picked the topic, and then she used speech-to-text tutoring to jot down the student\u2019s responses. Lester decided that \u201cwhether or not she used GenAI,\u201d the student was \u201ccapable of writing the paper and had something worthwhile to say\u201d (Lester). Throughout the column, Lester emphasizes that tutors and faculty can collaborate to ensure that students use AI in an effective and ethical manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><em>Timoteo Neves<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Timoteo Neves shifts from Lester\u2019s perspective of AI and claims that it is a tool that can positively enhance creativity and critical thinking skills in writing consultations. He shares a story about a writing consultation that he facilitated with a student who was experiencing writer\u2019s block.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neves originally recommended that the student freewrite about his topic, but throughout the appointment, he realized that he might \u201cbenefit from both human encouragement and technological aids\u201d (Neves). The student seemed excited to engage in the task, and Neves concluded that writing centers need to promote \u201cboth digital and human connection\u201d (Neves). While writing center tutors offer an \u201cessential human element,\u201d incorporating digital technologies such as GenAI can \u201cenhance, rather than detract, from creativity in the writing process\u201d (Neves).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ultimately, Neves concludes that \u201cusing GenAI tools to facilitate brainstorming and enhance the writing process is another way to develop writers\u2019 critical thinking during consultations\u201d (Neves).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:18px\"><em>Abigail Patchen<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In her column, Abigail Patchen argues that consultants provide essential scaffolding skills and supplemental knowledge that GenAI lacks. Patchen values the unique experiences and development that students find in writing center consultations, and she claims that by using GenAI, students may be shortcutting the writing process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tutors can \u201cdetermine\u2026gaps in student knowledge,\u201d and \u201cgenerative AI does not have this same ability to pivot\u201d (Patchen). Tutors can also support the long-term development of the writer, another ability that AI does not possess.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patchen does not dismiss AI as a tool that should be shunned in writer centers\u2014instead, she identifies one positive use of AI: L2 learners (Patchen). She suggests that a collaboration between tutors and digital technologies can allow tutors to \u201cplay a key role in promoting language diversity while students use AI tools to learn\u201d (Patchen). However, it cannot scaffold and develop a writer as a writing center tutor can. Patchen ultimately concludes that \u201cwe can do everything that AI can do, but AI cannot do everything we can\u201d (Patchen).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"349\" src=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst3-1024x349.png\" alt=\"pull quote reads, &quot;From discussions at the 2026 ECWCA conference, our roundtable participants kept coming back to how the consultant role stays the same throughout these seemingly existential changes brought about by AI.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-16304\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst3-1024x349.png 1024w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst3-300x102.png 300w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst3-768x262.png 768w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst3-879x300.png 879w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst3.png 1070w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:22px\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From discussions at the 2026 ECWCA conference, our roundtable participants kept coming back to how the consultant role stays the same throughout these seemingly existential changes brought about by AI. We still have students come in that feel inadequate, that feel they are \u201cbad writers.\u201d We have students that have been told they need to \u201cfix up\u201d their work. We have students who are told their Englishes aren\u2019t appropriate for an academic setting. These are age-old issues that writing centers and consultants have had to contend with.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The introduction of AI only makes a quick fix more appealing. A chatbot conversation becomes less intimidating than sharing work with a peer. A simple prompt is easier than fighting for linguistic equity or critically revising a draft.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst4-1024x305.png\" alt=\"pull quote reads, &quot;Preparing consultants to discuss the affective responses, composing processes, and experiences of writers in the age of AI is how we can convey our value.&quot;\" class=\"wp-image-16305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst4-1024x305.png 1024w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst4-300x89.png 300w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst4-768x229.png 768w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst4-1000x298.png 1000w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/pull-quote-Hall-Bapst4.png 1070w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now more than ever, we must make clear the value of peer collaborations, of the writing center, and of writing. We must advocate for the human benefits of critical reflection and engagement with writing. Preparing consultants to discuss the affective responses, composing processes, and experiences of writers in the age of AI is how we can convey our value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:22px\">Works Cited<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hall, Brady. \u201cGenerative AI and Linguistic Equity for EL Writers Across Disciplines.\u201d <em>WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship<\/em>, vol. 50, no. 1, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lester, Dani. \u201cGenAI in the Writing Center.\u201d <em>WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship<\/em>, vol. 48, no. 3, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neves, Timoteo. \u201cHarnessing the Power of GenAI.\u201d <em>WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship<\/em>, vol. 49, no. 4, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Patchen, Abigail. \u201cThe People Make the Place: Reminding Tutors of Their Value in a World of Artificial Intelligence.\u201d <em>WLN: A Journal of Writing Center Scholarship<\/em>, vol. 49, no. 1, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Brady Hall <\/strong>is a graduate student in rhetoric and composition at Miami University of Ohio. He has a background in Economics and English from Northern Kentucky University. For his thesis, he is studying the impact of AI technologies on reading and literacy practices across disciplines. As a graduate writing consultant, Brady is working to develop programs that integrate writing support in regular course activities. He often finds his work at the intersection of writing center practice, literacy studies, technical communication, law\/legal rhetorics, and writing technologies.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"694\" height=\"694\" src=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/brady-hall.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/brady-hall.png 694w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/brady-hall-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/brady-hall-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 694px) 100vw, 694px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:30%\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/emma-bapst-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16298\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/emma-bapst-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/emma-bapst-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/emma-bapst-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/emma-bapst-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/emma-bapst.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:70%\">\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Emma Bapst <\/strong>is a graduate student in rhetoric and composition at Miami University of Ohio. She has a background in English and Biblical studies from Cedarville University. For her thesis, she is studying writing transfer pedagogies and writer identity across disciplines. As a graduate writing consultant, Emma is dedicated to supporting writers in their endeavors to embrace the process of writing. She often finds her work at the intersection of writing center practice, literary studies, writing technologies, and writer identity.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Brady Hall and Emma Bapst, Miami University of Ohio\u2014AI 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 \u201chidden curriculum,\u201d 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":180,"featured_media":16321,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[330,28,187,52,42,35,13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai-writing","category-graduate-students","category-tutor-publications","category-tutorial-talk-and-methods","category-writing-center-research","category-writing-center-tutors","category-writing-centers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to Discuss GenAI in Writing Consultations - Another Word<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dept.writing.wisc.edu\/blog\/how-to-discuss-genai-in-writing-consultations\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Discuss GenAI in Writing Consultations - Another Word\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Brady Hall and Emma Bapst, Miami University of Ohio\u2014AI 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 \u201chidden curriculum,\u201d or knowledge that travels behind the network of traditional classroom education with regard to AI. These contexts permeate writing center experiences as well. 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