The Pedagogy of Creative Writing

This Research & Knowledge Exchange Doctoral Project brief summarises our priority areas of research interest under the heading of: The Pedagogy of Creative Writing

We welcome all research degree applications aligned with and in response to this brief.

Creative writing’s growing prominence in higher education, community programs, and lifelong learning initiatives necessitates a rigorous examination of its pedagogical approaches.  

The evolution of creative writing as an academic discipline has been marked by various pedagogical debates. Early models centered on the Iowan “workshop” method, emphasizing peer critique and faculty guidance. While highly influential, the workshop has been the subject of criticism or interrogation regarding its potential to homogenize styles and reinforce power dynamics. More recently, discussions have emerged around digital tools, interdisciplinary perspectives, and trauma-informed practices into creative writing instruction; however, a comprehensive and systematic analysis of these diverse pedagogical strategies, their effectiveness, and their theoretical underpinnings is still developing. 

Potential Research Questions/Topics 

• What are the theoretical underpinnings of effective contemporary writing pedagogy?  
• How do different pedagogical models impact student learning, creative development, and authorial identity? 
• What role do feedback mechanisms (e.g., peer critique, instructor feedback, self-reflection) play in the revision process and the development of writing craft? 
• How can creative writing pedagogy foster diverse voices, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds within the classroom? 
• How can technology and digital tools enhance creative writing instruction and expand the possibilities of creative expression? 
• How do institutional contexts (e.g., university programs, community workshops, primary/secondary education) shape and influence creative writing pedagogy? 
• How does the community of learners impact the development of the student writer, and what role does the teacher/programme play in that? 

The pedagogy of creative writing is moving from being a field historically guided by tradition to one increasingly shaped by rigorous inquiry. By systematically investigating the "how" and "why" of teaching creative writing, this doctoral brief proposes a path toward more effective, inclusive, and informed practices.  

Projects deriving from this brief are expected to sit within the Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy and the following Department.

All successful research degree project proposals must emphasise a clear alignment between the project idea and our Research & Knowledge Exchange strategy.