Spring Dissertation Writing Retreat - On-Campus

Spring Dissertation Writing Retreat

Announcement and Call for Applications
March 4-7, 2024

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.

The application deadline is Friday, February 16. We will notify applicants of their status by Wednesday, February 21.

  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: 200-400-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 be in-person Monday, March 4 to Thursday, March 7, 2024 in-person in Hanson Hall room 111. We will have warm-up activities and writing prompts to facilitate writing. RIDGS will provide a light breakfast and lunch for each day of the retreat. And, during each lunch, we will have faculty-led discussion on a particular writing topic and/or challenge. 

Retreat Expectations

  • Attend the retreat for all four days
  • Avoid the internet or email during the hours of the retreat
  • Acutely focus on writing your dissertations with sustained writing time
  • Actively participate in writing warm-ups and discussions
For questions, please email ridgs@umn.edu.