Dissertation Writing Retreats

"Wall of Accomplishments" written onto a whiteboard

 

Spring Break Writing Retreat Announcement and Call for Applications
March 10-13, 2025

The Center for RIDGS (Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender, and Sexuality) Studies is hosting a writing retreat for graduate students for four days of concentrated writing time (applicants working on projects other than their dissertation will still be considered). We encourage applications from UMN graduate students who are broadly engaged with and/or committed to addressing in their research some of the most pressing socio-economic issues and inequalities of our time.

Retreat Description

The writing retreat will span Monday, March 10- Thursday, March 13, 2025 (over spring break). From Monday through Thursday, we will meet in-person, at Hanson Hall Room 111 from 9:00am-4:00pm. We will have warm-up activities and writing prompts to facilitate writing. RIDGS will provide a light breakfast and a catered lunch each day of the retreat. And, during each lunch, we will have faculty-led discussion on a particular writing topic and/or challenge. 

Application Requirements

The application deadline is Friday, February 14 at noon. We will notify applicants of their status by Wednesday, February 19.

  1. Graduate Student Signed Application Form, which you can download and sign.
  2. . Prepare an approximately one-page abstract or description of your current writing project.
  3. Prepare a 200-400 word plan of what you intend to accomplish during the retreat. Be as specific as possible. Include details about which sections of your writing you will work on, what exactly you will do as part of that work, and what quantitative changes you intend to have made by the end of the retreat. If you are unable to attend one of the Retreat days, please let us know here; we may be able to arrange exceptions.
  4. Please combine all of these documents into one PDF in the following order:
    1. Application Form
    2. Abstract
    3. Plan

Name the file according to this naming convention: lastname_RIDGS Writing Retreat Application 2025. Email that PDF to [email protected] by Friday, February 14 at noon.

Retreat Expectations

  • Attend the retreat for the entire week
  • Avoid the internet or email during the working hours of the retreat
  • Acutely focus on writing your dissertations with sustained writing time
  • Actively participate in writing warm-ups and discussions
  • Engage in community-building activities

 

 

 

A person canoeing on a lake at sunset

 

Summer Writing Retreat at Itasca Biological Station
Announcement and Call for Applications

August 4-8, 2025

The Center for RIDGS (Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender, and Sexuality) Studies is hosting a writing retreat for dissertation writers for one week of concentrated writing time (applicants working on projects other than their dissertation will still be considered). We encourage applications from UMN dissertation writers who are broadly engaged with and/or committed to addressing in their research some of the most pressing socio-economic issues and inequalities of our time.

  1. Graduate Student Signed Application Form, which you can download and sign.
  2. Application, which consists of the following items:
    1. Dissertation Abstract: 1 single-spaced page dissertation summary
    2. Plan for Retreat: 500-word description detailing which part of your dissertation you will focus on during the retreat
    3. Optional Feedback from Past Retreats

More detailed instructions are found on the Graduate Student Signed Application Form.

Retreat Description

The writing retreat will span Monday, August 4- Friday, August 8, 2025 and will take place at the University of Minnesota’s Itasca Biological Station on Lake Itasca. We will work on our dissertations, sleep in comfortable cabins, and participate in recreational activities. We will have warm-up activities and writing prompts to facilitate writing. RIDGS will provide all meals for each day of the retreat and will cover all transportation and lodging expenses.

For more information about the lodging at the Biological Station, visit this website. The cabins are nice and comfy, although please be advised that participants may have to sleep two to a room. 

Application Requirements

The application deadline is Friday, May 9. We will notify applicants of their status by Wednesday, May 21.

  1. Graduate Student Signed Application Form, which you can download and sign.
  2. Prepare an approximately one-page abstract or description of your current writing project.
  3. Prepare a 200-400 word plan of what you intend to accomplish during the retreat. Be as specific as possible. Include details about which sections of your writing you will work on, what exactly you will do as part of that work, and what quantitative changes you intend to have made by the end of the retreat. If you are unable to attend one of the Retreat days, please let us know here; we may be able to arrange exceptions.
  4. Please combine all of these documents into one PDF in the following order:
    1. Application Form
    2. Abstract
    3. Plan

Name the file according to this naming convention: lastname_RIDGS Summer Retreat Application 2025. Email that PDF to [email protected] by Friday, May 9.

Retreat Expectations

  • Attend the retreat for the entire week
  • Avoid the internet or email during the working hours of the retreat
  • Acutely focus on writing your dissertations with sustained writing time
  • Actively participate in writing warm-ups and discussions
  • Engage in community-building activities and assist with logistics
For questions, please email [email protected].