Edited by Mauricio Pérez-Abril and Gloria Rincón Bonilla
This book presents the results of the inter-institutional research project, “What do people read and write for in Colombian universities? A contribution to the consolidation of academic culture in the country”.
The research project was implemented between 2009 and 2011; however, the research design began unfolding in 2008 and the editing of this book took place during 2012.
The research was co-funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (Colciencias) and the seventeen universities participating in the study. The research team was coordinated by Mauricio Pérez-Abril and Gloria Rincón Bonilla. This experience also benefited from the dialogue with international scholars like Ana Camps, from Universidad de Barcelona, ??Spain; Paula Carlino, from the Argentinian National Council of Science and Universidad de Buenos Aires; and Luiz Percival Leme Britto, from Universidad do Oeste do Pará, Brazil.
The work presented in this book aims to describe the reading and writing practices, and the learning experiences within undergraduate programs or “licenciaturas” across disciplines in the participant universities. The study gathered quantitative and qualitative data and involved the participation of a variety of actors (including students, teachers, and administrators).
This research has constituted a preliminary step forward in the formulation of guidelines for public policies regarding writing in Colombian higher education. The project is also notable as it has promoted the creation of a professional network of over 50 reading and writing researchers and instructors, shaping an emerging field in Colombian higher education.
