Exploring the Research of Dr. Brene Brown: Leadership in the Writing Center

The University Writing Center’s staff of 20 to 25 undergraduate and graduate consultants complete weekly professional development (PD), reading about strategies to best support students and discussing them together as a staff. Every semester, the PD centers on a particular theme, and during Fall 2023, the student staff of the UWC chose to focus on leadership. The UWC student staff not only cared about writing, but were also passionate about advocating for fellow students and other community members. 

At the beginning of the semester, University Writing Center consultants explored different leadership styles and reflected on the ones that resonated with them the most. They then used this information to identify their own personal values and connect them to the UWC’s mission statement. 

However, the UWC consultants spent much of the fall unpacking research by Dr. Brene’ Brown, a social work professor at the University of Houston. One book in particular, 

Daring Greatly, was the main topic of conversation in professional development. It explores the idea that many of us operate within a scarcity mindset, believing that we are never enough for the people in our lives. Brown argues that this shame can be countered by practicing vulnerability, which she defines as taking “emotional risk” or sharing authentic parts of oneself, even in unpredictable situations. She also discusses ways people can be vulnerable with each other, both one-on-one and in organizations such as schools. 

The student staff and administrators also examined other research by Dr. Brown, including her work on building brave spaces. While “safe space” is a common term used to describe inclusive and welcoming environments, it doesn’t fully account for the complexity of power dynamics in real-world settings. In reality, no place ever feels completely safe, as multiple factors shape individual experiences. Conversely, the term “brave space” has become more popular in recent years to express the idea that even safe spaces need ongoing work and reevaluation, a topic which Dr. Brown explores in her podcast Dare to Lead, named after one of her bestselling books. As she argues, people have to be able to share with each other openly to do the work of actually making a place welcoming, and shame around making mistakes is one of the biggest obstacles. Her podcast outlines strategies for creating a culture where people feel comfortable sharing with each other openly, fostering more vulnerability as a result. 

How does Dr. Brown’s research on vulnerability and brave spaces apply to the University Writing Center? Students sometimes feel intimidated to make appointments at the UWC because they feel shame about their writing. By exploring Dr. Brown’s work, UWC consultants learned how to further invite vulnerability and foster more authentic connections with their peers. By doing so, they helped create a space where student writers feel like they could speak freely and effect change on campus and in the community. 

To learn more about Dr. Brown’s research, visit her website or listen to one of her podcasts.