Faculty Writing Retreats

A wooden sign in a wooded area. The sign reads: "University of Minnesota Biological Station and Laboratories"

The Center for RIDGS (Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender, and Sexuality) Studies is hosting a writing retreat for faculty members and postdocs engaged in RIDGS work for one week of concentrated writing time. We will prioritize faculty and postdocs in RIDGS departments/units. We encourage applications from faculty members working towards publication.

Deadline

The RIDGS Faculty Writing Retreat submission deadline is May 15. Applicants will need to complete the online Application Form. For questions, please email [email protected].

Retreat Description

The writing retreat will span Monday, August 17 – Friday, August 21, 2026, and will take place at the University of Minnesota’s Itasca Biological Station on Lake Itasca. We will work on our writing projects, 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. The Biological Station is very remote, which often aids in the writing process, but also means that participants must prepare themselves well and collaborate effectively.

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

Faculty Experiences

Read about faculty experiences from the 2023 retreat. 

Participant Experiences

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 with sustained writing time
  • Actively participate in writing warm-ups and facilitation

Application Requirements

The application deadline is Friday, May 15. We will notify applicants of their status by Wednesday, May 27.

To apply, complete the online Application Form. The form consists of general questions and also requires:

  1. One-page abstract or description of your current writing project.
  2. ~500 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 selected to participate in the Retreat, you will be required to complete an additional form with logistical questions and terms and expectations.