Academic Writing

Years ago, in a pub dating back to 1003 AD in Winchester, England — you know, the kind with well-worn carpets and smoke-stained low ceilings — I shared an after-conference pint with an author in the field of restorative justice. I was a wet-behind-the-ears grad student doing research fieldwork, eager to publish. He was assembling a handbook on restorative justice and needed a chapter on the principles of engagement and empowerment. My grad school advisor, also in the mix that day, partnered with me on the piece. Kind as he was, he also gave me lead billing on authorship. (Isn’t it amazing when people root for your success? Honestly, he’s the best.)

The thing about academic writing — those of you who’ve been in the trenches can surely attest — is that it’s a straight-up slog. (No offense, all you journal editors out there.) Important information, new research, and well-cited content can take months or years to see the light of day. In this case, I was invited to co-author a peer-reviewed piece in cooperation with Duke University for the journal Health Equity. My earlier professional background in the field of restorative justice was my ticket to join this whip-smart team. Shout outs to my co-authors who put in the sweat equity to make it happen. They walk the talk.

Dr. Howard Zehr, best-selling author and “grandfather” of the restorative justice field, had written a new book. He and his publishers needed to develop an accompanying discussion guide. Fast. The book was out in a month. Dr. Zehr and I first met when he was my graduate advisor; later, he was my wise mentor while I was a restorative justice practitioner and nonprofit director. (Long story…visit my LinkedIn). My familiarity with the discourse, plus my writing skills, landed me top-of-mind when this project came about.

With alacrity, I wrote the discussion guides, which the publisher made available as free downloads on its website. Drawing from a range of topics — e.g., systemic racism, abuse in faith institutions, dismantling stereotypes — the guides successfully broadened the appeal and application of the book’s content to coincide with the book drop. Zehr reflects, “[Jennifer] is gifted, intelligent, creative, dependable, highly competent, fun to work with, and an excellent writer and editor. She delivered a top-notch product in record time.” Moral of this story: always say “yes” when the guru calls.

A Discussion Guide for Restorative Justice Practitioners, Peacebuilders, and Students (excerpt, p. 9)

“Systemic racism is an old issue that has received new attention after the killing of George Floyd and Tyre Nichols at the hands of police. Too many others have suffered similar unjust and agonizing fates. Zehr wonders what it might look like to apply an RJ lens to systemic racism, and to police brutality and misconduct (p. 180). What do you think? Whose voices would need to be at the table? What spaces do you see being open to provide a safe exchange? What are the power dynamics to consider? What might be a first step? What are the risks? What might be some unintended consequences? Is it even an appropriate use of RJ principles? Why or why not?”