Overview
Writing has long been more than recording finished thoughts. It is a tool for thinking. Research on learning shows that writing remains one of the most powerful ways to develop understanding: it slows us down, requires us to structure ideas, and helps us discover what we actually mean. In the age of generative AI, however, this role of writing for learning is under pressure. It is tempting to outsource not only the formulation and proofreading of sentences, but also parts of the intellectual work that writing traditionally supports: selecting, ordering, testing, and refining ideas.
This workshop takes Jack Goody’s idea of writing as a «technology of the intellect» as its starting point. Rather than treating AI simply as a threat or as a productivity tool, we will ask how writing practices can help us think more clearly in an AI‑saturated environment.
Drawing on methods from creative writing, participants will explore writing as a practice of invention, clarification, and argumentation. We will use techniques from creative writing to generate ideas, sharpen perspectives, structure arguments, and rediscover writing as an intellectually demanding and enjoyable activity.
The workshop is aimed at university lecturers from all disciplines who want to reflect on the role of writing in higher education and gain fresh ideas for using writing as a tool for thinking in their courses.
