For Summer 2024, we will be offering a virtual retreat in June and an in-person retreat later in the summer.
June virtual retreat dates: June 17-June 27, 9am-12pm
August in-person retreat dates: August 5-August 16, 9am-3pm
All PhD candidates at any stage in the dissertation process are eligible to participate. For more information, see below.
To request a spot: Email Rob Patterson, director of The Writing Center at rhpatter@wustl.edu. Please include information regarding your program, where you are in the dissertation process, and a timeline for the work you hope to complete this summer. Please be sure to indicate whether you’re applying for the virtual retreat in June, the in-person retreat later in the summer, or both.
Deadlines to apply: The deadline to apply for the June retreat is April 30. The deadline to apply for the August retreat is June 30.
Cost: The retreat is free to participants.
What: Dissertation writers from across the university coming together for two weeks of concentrated dissertation-writing time each morning in a supportive group setting:
- Morning meeting with brief warm-up activities designed to jump start writing
- Focused, sustained work on dissertations in scheduled blocks of writing time
- Two workshop discussions on issues and strategies related to dissertation writing (each Wednesday around lunchtime)
- Priority access to one-on-one dissertation consultations with Writing Center staff
- Advice and support from fellow graduate students
- Brief cool-down activities designed to facilitate the next day’s writing
- Goal-setting and supportive accountability
Why: To help dissertation writers
- Maintain their writing momentum over the summer, OR
- Gain momentum from a less-than-productive spring and head into the summer having produced quality writing
- Build supportive, interdisciplinary relationships among dissertation writers
- Learn balanced and effective writing strategies and habits that continue post-degree
- Learn how to provide productive feedback to peers
Virtual Retreat in June: Monday, June 17-Thursday, June 27 (except Saturday and Sunday). We begin each day at 9 a.m. central time and end at noon. One-on-one support available each afternoon. This option will take place online via Zoom.
In-person Retreat in August: Monday, August 5-Friday, August 16 (except Saturday and Sunday). We begin each day at 9 a.m., break for lunch, and resume for afternoon writing sessions until 3 p.m.. One-on-one support is also available each afternoon. This option will take place in The Writing Center on the lower level of Mallinckrodt.
Questions: Email rhpatter@wustl.edu