The UW–Madison Writing Center and the Graduate School sponsor two Dissertation Writing Camps in winter and spring. Acceptance in the program is competitive, and participation is limited to 20 dissertators per camp.
Facilitated by senior Writing Center staff, this week-long camp provides participants with intensive, focused time to write and revise their dissertation chapters in a supportive atmosphere alongside other writers.
The Dissertation Writing Camps focus on three core components:
- They provide participants with intensive, focused time to write in a supportive atmosphere amid other writers. Those selected to participate must attend the entire camp and should plan to write for at least five hours every day.
- Since research shows that successful research writers talk about their work and that talk is essential for effective writing, participants have multiple opportunities to discuss their work. Writing support is provided in the form of one-to-one conferences, in which participants can discuss any aspect of their dissertation writing process with Writing Center instructors. Participants may be expected to occasionally share their writing with other camp participants.
- Dissertation writing camps offer brief daily writing exercises and workshops on topics such as setting realistic goals, managing one’s time, organizing a major project, obtaining useful feedback, and staying motivated.
For more information and additional support for dissertators, please visit the Graduate School’s web page on “Dissertation Help.”
Camp 1: Jan. 6-10, 2025
Time: Monday (1/6) to Thursday (1/9) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday (1/10) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. CT
Modality: Online
Apply for Dissertation Writing Camp
Camp 2: May 2025
Modality: In person at the Writing Center in Helen C. White Hall.
Application: Opening Spring 2025
