The Editing for Justice Program: Piloting a Community-Based Learning Social Justice Project in Technical and Professional Communication

Authors

  • Laura Gaisie Authors Inside
  • Krista Speicher Sarraf California Polytechnic State University
  • Patrick Ashman California Polytechnic State University
  • Elizabeth Brown California Polytechnic State University.
  • Janae Pabon California Polytechnic State University
  • Shanae Martinez California Polytechnic State University

Keywords:

community-based learning, Editing, Social Justice, Academic-industry Collaboration, Client-based Projects

Abstract

This FOCUS piece highlights the Editing for Justice (E4J) program, a collaboration between Authors Inside and [University's] Technical and Professional Communication (TPC) Certificate and English Department that implements Clem and Cheek's (2022) inclusive editing paradigm (IEP) to educate students about recidivism while cultivating their professional communication skills. It concludes with recommendations for TPC programs interested in adapting similar projects into their curriculum on nonprofit or civic writing, editing, and publishing.

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Author Biographies

Laura Gaisie, Authors Inside

Laura Gaisie is the Executive Director and co-founder of Authors Inside, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that offers writing resources and publishing opportunities to incarcerated authors, aiming to empower them through the art of writing. Holding a master's degree in public administration, with a specialization in nonprofits, Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. In addition to her leadership at Authors Inside, she actively coaches aspiring writers through The Writing Room, a program designed to nurture and guide emerging literary talents. Moreover, Laura is the proud owner of Purple Pearls Publishing, an independent publishing company that promotes diverse voices and narratives. With a passion for literature and a commitment to social justice, she continues to make significant contributions to the literary community, fostering creativity, empowerment, and positive change through her various endeavors.

Krista Speicher Sarraf, California Polytechnic State University

Dr. Krista Speicher Sarraf is an Assistant Professor and Director of Technical and Professional Communication at California Polytechnic State University. Her research explores how technical and professional communicators use creative thinking to address wicked problems.

Patrick Ashman, California Polytechnic State University

Patrick Ashman is a student at California Polytechnic State University. In Spring 2024, he will receive a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Technical and Professional Communications certificate. His varied involvement within the English department has drawn him to engage in opportunities promoting storytelling and linguistic diversity.

Elizabeth Brown, California Polytechnic State University.

Elizabeth Brown is a student at California Polytechnic State University. In Spring 2024, she will receive a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Technical and Professional Communications certificate. She looks forward to pursuing a career in editing or technical writing and plans to earn her MA in a related field.

Janae Pabon, California Polytechnic State University

Janae Pabon is finishing her last year studying English at California Polytechnic State University. She will receive her Bachelor's degree in the spring of 2024 and is looking to pursue a career in writing and editing.

Shanae Martinez, California Polytechnic State University

Dr. Shanae Martinez is a scholar of Indigenous Literatures in the English Department at California Polytechnic State University. She holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2012 & 2019) and the University of California at Davis (2008).

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Published

2025-01-17

How to Cite

Gaisie, L., Speicher Sarraf, K., Ashman, P., Brown, E., Pabon, J., & Martinez, S. (2025). The Editing for Justice Program: Piloting a Community-Based Learning Social Justice Project in Technical and Professional Communication . Programmatic Perspectives, 15(2). Retrieved from https://programmaticperspectives.cptsc.org/index.php/jpp/article/view/93

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 2 (2024): Programmatic Perspectives

Section

FOCUS

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Laura Gaisie, Krista Speicher Sarraf, Patrick Ashman, Elizabeth Brown, Janae Pabon, Shanae Martinez

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.