Our team began collaborating in 2019 at the Elon University Center for Engaged Learning summer research seminar titled “Writing Beyond the University: Fostering Writers’ Lifelong Learning and Agency.” When applying to become seminar participants, we each answered the question, “Which research area above are you most interested in examining, and why?” but we also had to “keep in mind that accepted participants… collaborate on developing shared research questions for their research seminar study.” Therefore, our collaborative research and writing with Kathleen Blake Yancey (hereafter, Kathi) was “more opportunistic and intentional coming out of a research project.” That being said, we all applied to the seminar because we were interested and eager to embark on a collaborative project (Teams Meeting Recording 0:22 - 2:40) because we were aware of the benefits, and ready to address some of the challenges. And, as we describe more in our section about process, the majority of our collaborations with Kathi looked like this because the COVID-19 pandemic moved our team’s work online :
As our research team reflected on the role of collaboration in our work with Kathi, as well as Kathi’s commitments and contributions to the field of rhetoric and composition related to collaboration, the six themes listed below emerged; we invite readers to explore these themes in any order:
| Process | Integrating the Personal with the Professional |
Collaboration Complexities |
| Navigating Differences | Collaboration with Students |
Playfulness |
Across these six themes listed above, our team has sought to highlight the central role and complex processes of collaboration in Kathi’s work across her decades of contributions to research in rhetoric, composition, and writing studies. Drawing examples from our multi-year collaboration with Kathi, as well as our understanding of her many other collaborative research and writing projects, this collection of memories, goals, and strategies are intended to both accentuate Kathi’s valuable approach to collaboration and, drawing inspiration from these cases, provide pathways for current and future scholars to continue the important work of collaborative research and publication.