Reading Stories: curiosity in action

Abstract

Reading is undoubtedly integral to the development of knowledges and ideas, and a vital foundation of much research and writing activity. There are many facets to the effective reading-writing relationship including information literacies, evaluative and reflective abilities. In Academic Support we know that support for writing is the highest demand, although reading is often the block to progressing writing. So, just as we support many aspects of writing, we wanted to explore the diversity of reading that abounds in our practices, whether creative, professional or academic, and surface the extraordinary range of approaches that demonstrate curiosity in action, to help build students’ reading confidence.

Reading Stories was inspired by the Aram book collection exhibited in the CSM Library: each book had been selected and given by an (often creative) associate, exemplifying a text that had been seminal for them. The captions were fascinating, explaining what had been crucially helpful or influential. We were also encouraged by Professor Chris Wainwright to ask our Research staff to share their reading experiences in person.

Academic Support has developed Reading Stories as a seminar-style event where invited staff share key texts and discuss their significance as well as exploring reading practices. We have also developed a series of recorded interviews with research-active and other colleagues as an Academic Support Online resource.

Our poster session will launch this, inviting your feedback, on-the-spot contributions, and further proposals - perhaps expanding the idea to other kinds of ‘reading’ (e.g. images) or equally to ‘stories’ (e.g. research).