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 and strategies for sustaining writing momentum.
The summer retreat and workshop is a multi-day immersive writing retreat and includes writing time, workshops, strategic planning, and feedback on works in progress. It is the signature event of the Faculty Write Program.
Learn more about faculty experiences in the summer retreat in the Duke News article At summer retreat, faculty brush up on their writing and academic year retreats in For weary scholars: A moment to regroup, reconnect, and write.
Fall 2023 Semester Retreats
Writers Kickoff
Friday, September 1 | 9am-4pm
Set aside time to focus on your writing in a supportive community as we begin fall semester. Retreat includes structured writing time and opportunities to share progress and challenges with fellow writers. Open to faculty in any discipline. Space is limited. Registration ends 8/25 or when retreat is full. Facilitator: Jennifer Ahern-Dodson.
NC Engaged Scholar Writing Retreat
Friday, October 27 | 9-3:30
NC Mutual Life Building, Durham, NC
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 to help you create and sustain momentum. Registered participants will have an opportunity to sign up for a consultation session during the retreat. Sponsored by NC Campus Engagement. This event is also part of the Community-Engaged Scholarship@Duke series and is hosted by Duke Civic Engagement, a unit of Durham and Community Affairs. Co-sponsored by Duke Service-Learning.
Learn more about North Carolina Campus Engagement Writing Retreats here.
Questions: Contact jahern@duke.edu or lgarvin@ncengage.org
End-of-Semester / Winter Retreat
December 14 & 15 | 9am-4pm
Duke Integrative Medicine Center
Set aside time and space to focus on your writing in a supportive community as we close out fall semester. Retreat includes structured writing time, opportunities to share progress and challenges with fellow writers, and optional workshops. Open to faculty in any discipline. Priority registration for writing group participants through 11/27. Space is limited. Sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Trinity College and the Thompson Writing Program. Facilitators: Jennifer Ahern-Dodson and Monique Dufour. Questions? Contact Jennifer Ahern-Dodson, jahern@duke.edu
Regularly Offered Retreats
Retreats During Breaks
Provide a chance to reset and are designed to help you keep (or get) your writing moving during break.
Summer Scholarly Writing Retreat & Workshop - Signature Event*
Each day of this multi-disciplinary retreat includes 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. If you want to spend some time with your writing in the summer, the retreat can help you to figure out the best way forward for you.
*Celebrating 11th annual retreat in Summer 2023
Scholarly Writing Retreat: ALUMNI EDITION
Advanced writing retreat designed for writers who've participated in at least one summer retreat.
Pre-Tenure Women Writers
This retreat provides a supportive environment for writers working toward tenure and promotion. Includes individual writer consultations and discussions on writing practices, strategic planning, and building and sustaining momentum.
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.
