Dissertation Writing Groups

In collaboration with the Rackham Graduate School, the Sweetland Center for Writing coordinates several student-led writing groups for graduate students writing their dissertations. These interdisciplinary writing groups provide structured support in a facilitated peer-based setting to aid dissertators working through long-term projects.

Dissertation Writing Groups place writers from various disciplines but in similar stages of their dissertation projects together to share work in-progress and encourage ongoing writing production. Groups will also be organized based on student meeting mode preference (in-person or remote).

Dissertation Writing Groups consist of four-five members including a group leader. Participants must be in the writing phase of their dissertations and available to meet at least eight times per semester to workshop group members’ writing on a rotating basis. Each group will determine meeting schedules and expectations.

Dissertation Writing Group Leaders

Those interested in becoming group leaders must provide additional information with their applications. Dissertation Writing Group Leaders’ duties include:

  1. Participating in two mentoring sessions with the DWG coordinators
  2. Managing the logistics of the writing group;
  3. Facilitating group sessions and coordinating correspondence among group members.

Leaders earn a $600* stipend for their services. If you would like more information about the group leader position before applying, contact April Conway (arconway@umich.edu) or Stephanie Moody (slmoody@umich.edu).

Application

Application due by Sunday, April 19, 2023.
Leaders and participants will be notified of acceptance by April 24.

 

Please contact Laura Schuyler if you have questions.  scw-executiveassistant@umich.edu

A note on continuing groups: Dissertation Writing Groups may continue to receive support from Sweetland for one additional semester, with a new group leader. If your group would like to continue for a second term, each member must reapply and list the new group leader and the other group members. The new group leader must answer the leader application questions.

*Leader compensation pending per new Rackham graduate student 12 month funding.