University of Wisconsin-Superior professor Jayson Iwen published his first textbook this year. “You Contain Multitudes” draws on Iwen’s knowledge in poetry, creative writing and psychology to tackle the topic of unconscious bias. It acts as both a textbook and a self-development guide that helps students examine aspects of their identity and perspectives.

The textbook encourages readers to question and, “Identify your fundamental understandings of the world,” says Iwen, “What we understand about the world, what we don’t understand. When someone does something that we just don’t get, why don’t we get it? Why does it seem natural for them and not for us?”

Iwen teaches in the Writing, Language, and Literature Department. He sought to use his expertise as a creative writer and college professor to fill a literature gap about unconscious bias in society that he found through teaching one of his courses at UW-Superior.

An accomplished writer and teacher, Iwen continues to build upon his ideas to help others. He dedicates the textbook to his students and now incorporates the book in his current classes.

“Teaching it is helping me to come to new ideas,” says Iwen, “I’m hoping that using this book, in addition to the old textbooks that most of us use, will make for better persuasive writers.”

Through the textbook, students can begin to understand unconscious biases; creating opportunities for deeper discussions and connections. It opens the doors for creativity and new ways of thinking within their writing.

“In order to come up with anything surprisingly new and that really opens up the reader’s imagination, that gives them these ‘aha’ moments, you have to be able to get out of your habitual ways of thinking,” Iwen said.

His colleagues at UWS offered their support in his work. From offering their expertise in their fields to words of encouragement; Iwen had a community willing to support him in his goals.

Visual Arts Department professor Gloria Eslinger acted as a consultant for Iwen. She looks back at the experience with fondness.

“He is a really great writer,” says Eslinger, “It was a pleasure to work with him.”

By Olivia Fleming, English major and student writer for UWS.