Retreats are offered throughout the year and provide faculty an opportunity to set aside time for their writing, and write in the company of others in a comfortable, relaxed space.
Academic year retreats are typically offered in August, December, and February, and focus on dedicated writing time, strategies for sustaining writing momentum, and goal setting discussions.
The summer retreat and workshop is a four-day immersive writing retreat and includes writing time, workshops, and feedback on works in progress.
Learn more about faculty experiences in the summer retreat in the Duke News article At summer retreat, faculty brush up on their writing.
Writing retreat facilitators include Jennifer Ahern-Dodson (Duke), Monique Dufour (Virginia Tech), Leslie Garvin (Elon), and Sarah Wilbur (Duke, Dance).
Upcoming Retreats
End-of-Semester Writing Retreat
Tuesday, December 13, 2022 | 9-3:30
Duke Integrative Medicine Center
Make progress on a project and write alongside colleagues as we close out the fall semester. Retreat includes structured writing time and strategies for sustaining writing momentum over break. Open to faculty in any discipline. Space is limited. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Trinity College and the Thompson Writing Program. Facilitator: Jennifer Ahern-Dodson
RETREAT IS FULL. Email Michelle.gregersen@duke.edu to add your name to wait list.
North Carolina Campus Engagement Writing Retreat
Friday, March 3, 2023 | 9:30-3:30
Duke Office of Durham and Community Affairs - NC Mutual Life Building
Gather with other community-engaged scholars across North Carolina to set aside time for writing, in community. This retreat will include directed writing time, optional individual breakout consultation sessions, and mini-workshops on writing strategies. Registered participants will have an opportunity to sign up for a consultation session a few days before the retreat. Space is limited. This event is part of the Community Engaged Scholarship@Duke series and is co-sponsored by Duke Civic Engagement, a unit of Durham and Community Affairs. Facilitator: Jennifer Ahern-Dodson
Learn more about the retreat on the North Carolina Campus Engagement website.
Regularly Offered Retreats
End-of-Summer Writing Retreat
Want one last writing burst before fall semester begins? Would you like to reconnect with other writers? Each day of this writing retreat includes time to write independently and optional workshops on strategic planning and balancing life & work for the academic year.
Fall and Spring Break Retreats
This writing retreat is designed to help you keep (or get) your writing moving during break. Provides a communal and supportive space to make progress on writing during the retreat, strategies to support your writing over break, and consultations.
Summer Scholarly Writing Retreat & Workshop*
Want to jump start your summer writing? Interested in learning how to be a more productive and engaged writer this summer? Would you benefit from writing and learning alongside others who also are committed to making progress on a scholarly writing project? Each day of this four-day scholarly writing retreat includes both hands-on workshops and time to write independently in a comfortable, relaxed space. Learn practical skills about productive writing habits, make progress on a writing project, and participate in a writing community. This retreat is designed to help you to reconnect with yourself, your work, and one another. If you want to spend some time with your writing, the retreat can help you to figure out the best way forward for you.
*Celebrating 10th annual retreat in Summer 2022
Scholarly Writing Retreat: ALUMNI EDITION
Advanced writing retreat designed for writers who've participated in at least one summer retreat.
Tenure Track Women Writers
This retreat provides women faculty working toward tenure a communal and supportive space to make progress on their writing. Includes independent writing time, consultations, and workshops on writing and improving work/life integration.
Writing, Mindfulness, and Movement
In this retreat, writers dedicate time to writing, quietly but also in community. Participants will have an opportunity to engage in activities designed to awaken awareness of physical habits and renew commitment to their writing as a fundamentally embodied practice.
