Dissertation Writing Retreats

A student in a baseball cap and glasses gesticulates while speaking to classmates who are seated at a table with him, looking at their laptops.

The Writing Studio offers Dissertation Writing Retreats throughout the year during breaks. These 2 and 4-day intensive writing retreats offer space for sustained dissertation progress over a short period as well as opportunities for accountability through community building. 

While the main goal is to provide dissertation writers ample time to write, brief goal setting meetings help frame the day’s work. We also offer strategies for navigating common dissertation writing challenges during optional workshops and other afternoon activities. In-person retreats are held in our two fully-resourced work spaces in Lehman Library, the Seminar Room and Studio Mezzanine. To aid focus, we provide participants with a light breakfast and lunch each day as well as coffee and tea throughout the retreat.

Remote Writing Retreats
Thursday–Friday, July 9–10, 9:00 am–4:00 pm (Online)
Thursday–Friday, August 6–7, 9:00 am–4:00 pm (Online)
Registration is now open for the Writing Studio's two-day Remote Writing Retreats in July and August. Modeled after our popular Dissertation Writing Retreats, these two-day remote retreats are designed to support thesis and dissertation writers aiming to make significant writing progress from anywhere. Local writers are free to work in-person in the mezzanine, though the retreat will be facilitated remotely on Zoom. Learn more and register here.

Dissertation Writing Retreat: Dissertation Fellowship Focus
Monday–Friday, August 24–27, 9:00 am–4:00 pm (In-person)
The application is now open for the Writing Studio's August Dissertation Writing Retreat. The August retreat is designed to support GSAS PhD students entering their Dissertation Fellowship year. However, all eligible dissertation writers are welcome to apply. While the main goal is to provide ample time to write, brief goal-setting meetings will help frame the day’s work. We will also offer a slate of afternoon workshops and activities to complement and explore a variety of writing practices. The August retreat will feature our workshop series "Surviving Your First Chapter," which was developed for writers beginning the dissertation, but supports writers at all stages. Learn more and apply here.