Abstract
“The Breathing Space” is symbolic of the living, dynamic context in which we work together. Spaces within academia, much like living organisms, breathe and evolve. These spaces are not fixed, but are shaped by the actions, interactions, and collaborations of those within 18 them. We are an all-female writing collective inspired by slow academia and rest as resistance. We share personal narratives illustrating how we mould our environments to foster collaboration, support, and empowerment, thereby shaping the space to contain the dynamism of our collective selves. We embellish our space in ways that make it more hospitable and conducive to enlightenment, personal enrichment, and shared wisdoms. We invite conference participants to engage by contributing to our collective vision of academia as a living, breathing space, where voices are heard, and every contribution valued. This vision challenges the status quo, redefines the boundaries of academic workspaces, and reimagines the potentials within them