Making Administrative Work Visible: Data-Driven Advocacy for Understanding the Labor of Writing Program Administration

Making Administrative Work Visible is a collection of essays that explore the challenges and contributions of writing program administrators (WPAs) in higher education. The book highlights the lived labor experiences and research methodologies of WPAs, and advocates for recognizing and accounting for their work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 322 pages
Publication date: 01 April 2023
Publisher: University Press of Colorado

Making Administrative Work Visible is a groundbreaking collection that brings together diverse voices from graduate students, associated faculty, administrative staff, and tenured and tenure-track faculty at community colleges, regional state universities, liberal arts colleges, private colleges, and research-intensive institutions across the United States. The book aims to shed light on the challenges, both named and unnamed, faced by those who undertake writing program administration work.

The authors of this collection explicitly highlight the importance of this work and delve into the lived labor experiences and research methodologies of WPAs to gain a comprehensive understanding of the scope of their contributions to administration, labor in higher education, and the broader disciplines' collective obligation to promote social justice and advocacy.

The book is organized into three parts, each focusing on the most confounding challenges facing WPAs as well as the most compelling sites of their contributions. The first part, titled "Advocating through Representations of WPA Labor," explores how WPAs advocate for their work and the challenges they face in representing their contributions to administration, labor in higher education, and the disciplines. The authors use data to share and track various aspects of WPAs' administrative work, including job titles, functions, grand narratives, program assessments, tenure and promotion, email practices, and more. The chapters also surface narratives for future data and studies to be done by other scholars.

The second part, titled "Advocating by Accounting for Time and Labor," emphasizes the need to account for the time and labor invested by WPAs in their administrative roles. The authors argue that the invisibility of much of this work perpetuates stereotypes and biases and hinders the recognition and appreciation of WPAs' contributions. They suggest that accounting for time and labor can help to create a more equitable and sustainable work environment for WPAs and promote data-driven strategies needed to sustain this foundational area of higher education.

The third part, titled "Advocating in and through Complex Institutional Contexts," explores the complex institutional contexts in which WPAs operate and the challenges they face in advocating for their work. The authors discuss the ways in which WPAs navigate the politics, policies, and power dynamics of their institutions to promote social justice and advocacy. They also highlight the importance of building alliances and networks with other stakeholders to amplify their voices and impact.

Contributors to the book include Kamila Albert, Brooke Anderson, Sheila Carter-Tod, Amy Cicchino, and Ana . Each contributor brings their unique perspectives and experiences to the table, contributing to a rich and diverse collection of insights and perspectives.

In conclusion, Making Administrative Work Visible is a vital contribution to the field of writing program administration. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, the book sheds light on the challenges faced by WPAs and advocates for their recognition, appreciation, and support. The collection offers valuable insights into the lived labor experiences and research methodologies of WPAs, providing a deeper understanding of their contributions to administration, labor in higher education, and the broader disciplines. Through its advocacy for accounting for time and labor and promoting data-driven strategies, the book contributes to creating a more equitable and sustainable work environment for WPAs and promotes the collective obligation to advance social justice and advocacy.

ISBN-13: 9781646423637