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Case Study:
Sloan Scholars Network Dissertation Retreat

Dissertation Writing Retreat Overview

The dissertation retreat provided STEM doctoral candidates from seven universities with expert guidance, dedicated writing time and a supportive scholarly community.

Participants were introduced to a project management framework for completing the dissertation, from proposal to defense. The retreat balanced focused writing time, workshops and individualized and group-based coaching. The retreat provided academic writing skills and an approach for managing the multiple components of a dissertation study. Scholars were equipped with information to maintain writing momentum and productivity beyond the retreat.

Throughout the experience, participants benefited from an environment centered on accountability, mentorship, academic skill-building, encouragement and connection with fellow scholars.

Doctoral scholar participating in a dissertation retreat discussion during a group writing and coaching session.

94%

of participants completed the evaluations.

100%

of participants accomplished their retreat goal(s).

100%

of participants agreed that the facilitator "fostered an environment for supportive community, structure and accountability.”

100%

of participants agreed that the facilitator "provided valuable strategies and information for improving my academic productivity.”

Smiling doctoral scholar seated near large green plants during a dissertation retreat.

University Participants

Retreat participants were enrolled in STEM doctoral programs at:

Cornell University
Duke University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Pennsylvania State University
University of California at San Diego
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of South Florida

The Purpose

The purpose of this dissertation writing retreat was to facilitate dissertation completion for doctoral candidates. The retreat provided participants:

A project management framework for proposing, writing and defending dissertation research
Focused time to write with individual and group-based dissertation/writing coaching
An academic environment of supportive accountability, mentorship and community

The Challenge

One of the most common challenges identified by participating scholars was a lack of consistent accountability throughout the dissertation process. Although each scholar entered the retreat with individual goals and priorities, many shared the difficulty of maintaining momentum, managing competing responsibilities and creating a structured writing routine.

Without regular accountability and dedicated time to focus, dissertation progress can easily become inconsistent or overwhelming. The retreat was designed to address this challenge by providing scholars with focused writing time, clear project management strategies, individualized and group coaching and a supportive academic community committed to helping them to maintain writing momentum.

Dissertation retreat participants laughing together during a small group discussion.

Academic Retreat Approach

Individual Writing Coaching

One-on-one support gave scholars personalized feedback, guidance, and strategies based on their specific dissertation goals and challenges.

Dissertation Project Management Strategies

Participants learned practical methods for breaking large dissertation projects into manageable tasks, setting priorities and creating realistic timelines.

Group Coaching

Collaborative coaching sessions allowed participants to learn from shared experiences, ask questions, and work through common dissertation obstacles together.

Peer Accountability

Scholars worked alongside others with similar goals and challenges, creating an environment that encouraged consistency, motivation and follow-through.

Dedicated Writing Sessions

Protected writing time helped scholars step away from everyday distractions and focus intentionally on making progress on their dissertations.

Mentorship & Community

The retreat created a supportive academic space where scholars could receive encouragement, build connections and feel less isolated throughout the dissertation process.

The Results

1. Greater Accountability
Scholars left the retreat with a stronger sense of accountability and a clearer structure for maintaining consistent dissertation progress.

2. Meaningful Writing Progress
Dedicated writing sessions gave participants uninterrupted time to work in a distraction-free environment.

3. Clearer Next Steps
Through coaching and project management strategies, scholars gained greater clarity around what scholarly tasks to prioritize and how to break larger goals into manageable tasks.

.

4. Increased Confidence
Individualized guidance, workshops and focused writing time helped participants feel more confident in their ability to navigate the dissertation process and write in a scholarly manner.

5. Stronger Writing Habits
Through workshops and seminars, scholars were introduced to practical strategies for building more consistent, sustainable writing routines beyond the retreat.

6. A Supportive Academic Community

Participants benefited from connecting with other scholars facing similar challenges, creating a sense of encouragement, mentorship and shared accountability.

Graudate student focusing on writing a dissertation

100%

of participants agreed that the facilitator "fostered an environment for supportive community, structure and accountability."

94%

of participants agreed with the statement: "I have more clarity, confidence and motivation to finish my dissertation."

94%

of participants agreed with the statement: "I overcame my current challenges."

Participant Feedback

“The most valuable part of the retreat was being in a room full of my peers with similar goals and aspirations. Since I started graduate school I knew that a time would come when I would need to write my dissertation but that's it. No one has ever talked to me about what needs to go into my dissertation, or how to plan for it, nor how to go about thinking about it. Writing my dissertation has been an ever-present black box. Dr. Mosely [sic] made writing my dissertation feel more approachable. I am a writer now!”

“The sessions were great. I think it helped to break down the writing process making it more manageable, easy, and achievable without feeling like its suffering. Having out [sic] own room was also beneficial as a place to return to write in a focused environment and also having others around to work in common spaces was beneficial.”

Key Takeaways

Accountability was a major need. Scholars benefited from having dedicated structure, clear expectations and consistent support.
Focused writing time helped create momentum. Removing everyday distractions gave participants space to make meaningful progress.
Coaching provided direction and clarity. Individual and group coached from an experienced writing and dissertation coach helped scholars work through challenges and identify practical next steps.
Project management strategies made the dissertation process feel more manageable. Breaking larger goals into smaller tasks helped participants approach their work with greater organization.
Community reduced the isolation of dissertation writing. Peer support, mentorship and shared experiences created a more encouraging academic environment.