@MikeR
You can first create topic list in one place. Once done you can download your topic library. Click on the 3 dots beside "All topics" at the top and you can see export option. You need to be in edit mode to get the option available.
You can then import it to any other survey or dashboard. To import, click on edit button at right side and then the import option will be visible at bottom-left.

Hi MikeR
Text iQ in Dashboards are completely separate from Text iQ in surveys. While you can map Text iQ results from a specific Survey’s Text iQ, the Dashboard’s Text iQ is unique in that it allows you to analyze any open-ended field mapped to the Dashboard. This means you can analyze five different surveys text responses and report them all in one dashboard!
Regardless of which method you use, each will show the same text analyses you’ve conducted in the dashboard previously.
I am a great fan of setting up Text iQ on dashboards than on surveys because when you start performing text analysis in CX Dashboards, the topics and sentiments will map onto your dashboard automatically and be assigned the best field type for their data, whereas if you do it on the surveys it needs to be mapped from Embedded data fields.
https://www.qualtrics.com/support/vocalize/dashboard-settings-cx/text-analysis-cx/#AboutTextAnalysisinVocalize
Regards
Abhi

Abhi,

Yes, I'm aware. Which is precisely my point and my issue...they should NOT be separate. If I can map all the fields from the same data source into a dashboard from the survey, I should be able to use that data just as if I did the text analysis in the dashboard. As it is, if I want to use my text analysis for reports AND dashboards, I have to do the work twice. There is no good explanation for why this is the case.

Wondering if there is any update on improved flexibility with textIQ. 

I also have to manage the same data set in two separate dashboards (two distinct audiences) and it is an incredible waste of time.