Spring Dissertation Writing Retreat

The University Writing Center, with support from the Graduate School, will host its fourteenth annual Dissertation Writing Retreat in person May 12-16, 2025. We encourage all writers currently working on their dissertations to apply. In past retreats, we have worked with writers representing a range of disciplines from Public Health to Engineering to Social Work to Humanities. Some of these writers had just begun writing, some were in the middle of drafting chapters, and others were getting close to completing and defending their dissertations. Regardless of where they were in the process, all the participants made progress on their dissertations and left with a set of writing strategies that would help them maintain their momentum on their projects. Learn about the experiences of participants from past retreats. 

This year's retreat will occur May 12-16 daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm in the University Writing Center in Ekstrom Library (room 132). Each day writers will write for several hours, take part in short, writing-focused workshops, enjoy lunch, and meet with a writing consultant. The University Writing Center consultants who work during the retreat are experienced writing consultants and teachers; many are also PhD students currently working on their own dissertations. Each participant in the retreat will be paired with the same consultant for the entire week. There is no fee for participating. Participants must be willing and able to participate for the full retreat. 

Application information

Applications for Spring 2025 are currently closed.