Established in the summer of  2014, the Maynooth University Summer Writing Institute For Teachers (SWIFT) draws from the US National Writing Project model and is designed to provide an opportunity for dedicated teachers, from all education levels, to meet, share good practice, write, and learn more about writing and supporting the development of writing and writers.  Approximately 100 participants have attended the summer institutes to date with many of them noting the profound impact that being a part of SWIFT had on them as writers and teachers.  Maynooth University Writing Centre staff and SWIFT participants have researched perceptions of the institute and have communicated their findings in an article entitled ‘SWIFT beginnings – exploring the effectiveness and transformative character of a Summer Writing Institute For Teachers (SWIFT)’ in Innovations in Education and Teaching International  This article highlights participants’ reactions to the institute, which are overwhelmingly positive, and notes the transformative potential of the initiative.  In addition, there is an ongoing longitudinal study which is designed to capture the medium term impact of the work. 
     
    Due to a variety of circumstances the institute itself will be suspended for the summer of 2019 and instead a reunion of previous SWIFT fellows will take place on the 11th July.  The purpose of this event is threefold: to allow all previous SWIFT Fellows to meet and share practice, and to write; to hear participants’ stories about the impact that being a SWIFT Fellow has had on their practice and on their students' learning; to seek advice from Fellows about 'where to next' for SWIFT.  It is anticipated that SWIFT will resume in summer 2020 in its original week-long format.  In addition, the processes associated with becoming an international associate site of the US National Writing Project are being explored at present.
     
    The summer institute would not be possible without the generosity of the academics, teachers and writers who contribute their professional expertise on a voluntary basis as facilitators and advisors.  Similarly, the institute relies on support from Maynooth University year-on-year through the Centre for Teaching and Learning, and the University Writing Centre budgets. 
     
    If you would like to learn more about SWIFT please do not hesitate to contact us on writingcentre@mu.ie