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 March, 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.
Summer 2026
Summer Scholarly Writing Retreat and Workshop
Wednesday, May 13 - Friday, May 15 | 9:00am—4:00pm
Rubenstein Arts Center
Want to jump start your summer writing? Interested in learning how to be a more effective 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? Learn practical skills about writing habits, make progress on a writing project, and participate in a writing community. Open to faculty in any discipline. The retreat cohort will include writers from different disciplines and career phases.
RETREAT IS FULL. Waitlist only registration: Register here.
Writing & Renewal Retreat for Summer Retreat Alumni
Wednesday, August 12 - Thursday, August 13 | 9:00am—4:00pm
Reconnect with fellow writers, get a retreat curriculum refresh, and immerse in your writing. Each day includes plenty of independent writing time and opportunities to talk with fellow writers. Close out your summer by making progress on a writing project and participating in a supportive writing community.
RETREAT IS FULL
Regularly Offered Retreats
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. Facilitators: Jennifer Ahern-Dodson and Monique Dufour.
*Celebrating 15th annual retreat in Summer 2026
Scholarly Writing Retreat: ALUMNI EDITION
Advanced writing retreat designed for writers who've participated in at least one summer retreat.
Engaged Scholar Writing Retreat (state-wide retreat)
Gather with other community-engaged scholars across North Carolina to set aside time for writing, in community. This retreat includes directed writing time, optional individual consultation sessions, and short workshops on partnership networks and publishing community-engaged scholarship.
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.
Spring and Winter Retreats
Provide a chance for writers to reset after fall semester and recharge midway through spring in a supportive community. Retreat includes structured writing time, optional workshops, and opportunities to share progress and challenges with fellow writers.
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.
