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Faculty Summer Writing Retreats

The Faculty Summer Writing Retreats provide uninterrupted time and space for writing free from distractions. The weeklong daily retreat offers blocks of time for writing, an opportunity for individual writing consultations, take-home meals support, and caregiving stipends to eligible faculty.    

July 20-24 and July 27-31, 2026 (choose one to attend)
Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Organized by Joan Johnson, Senior Director for Faculty, with writing workshops and consultations facilitated by Elizabeth Lenaghan, Director, Cook Family Writing Program, Director, The Writing Place, and Professor of Instruction 

Dates: The retreat will be offered twice, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., July 20-24 and July 27-31, 2026 

Faculty can attend only one of the two weeks and must be able to attend all five days from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Location: Guild Lounge, Scott Hall, Evanston Campus. Please note that the retreat will be held in-person only.  

Schedule:  

  • 10 a.m.-noon: Independent writing 
  • Noon-1 p.m.: Lunch and optional Writing Workshop 
  • 1-3 p.m.: Independent writing  

Caregiving Stipend: Caregivers of dependent children and/or senior adults are eligible to receive a caregiving stipend if they will need to make special caregiving arrangements in order to attend the retreat. Applicants will be asked to attest to caregiving status, provide a brief statement of need and plans for childcare or adult/senior care arrangements, and an estimated budget up to a maximum of $1,000. See the online application for examples of needs and budget plans. The stipend will be paid as additional compensation, considered taxable income, and included in the monthly paycheck. Payments will be grossed up to cover the applicable taxes, but other deductions may still apply, such as retirement contributions. 

Take-Home Family Meals Support: All participants will receive a take-away family dinner meal for each afternoon to bring home with them.   

Eligible Faculty:  

  • Pre-tenure assistant professors and tenured associate professors in all schools;  
  • Full-time teaching track/clinical/NTE assistant professors and teaching track/clinical/NTE associate professors at the following schools Bienen, Kellogg, McCormick, Medill, Pritzker, SESP, SoC, and WCAS.  
  • Priority given to faculty who have not attended more than one previous retreat.  

Application: Applicants will be selected for proposed plans for writing during the weeklong retreat and impact on career development. The brief online application asks faculty the following questions: 

  1. In 150 words or less, describe your writing goals for the summer writing retreat (paper, article, grant application, book chapter, etc.) 
  1. In 150 words or less, explain why you want to participate in this writing retreat including the potential impact on your career development. 

Deadline to apply: April 3, 2026 

Questions: Please contact Joan Johnson, Senior Director for Faculty, at joanmjohnson@northwestern.edu