Berkeley Faculty Writing Collective

The Berkeley Faculty Writing Collective is a cohort-based writing program to support faculty productivity and success through monthly writing sessions and yearly writing retreats. Participants also have the opportunity to join weekly small-group accountability groups if desired. 

The production of original scholarly research, in the form of articles, books, grants, or creative works, is essential for faculty success. Yet, too often, the time for intensive thinking and writing shrinks as faculty strive to meet myriad other commitments. Senate faculty at all ranks and steps, and across all fields and disciplines, are encouraged to join this endeavor along with like-minded colleagues who seek to move their scholarly and creative pursuits forward.

The program consists of the following components:

    • Writing Cohort: Participants attend four three-hour monthly sessions for dedicated writing, with optional weekly accountability groups

    • January Writing Retreat: One-day writing retreat, featuring a short workshop to organize your thoughts and significant dedicated writing time. 

    • August Writing Retreat: Two-day writing retreat, including significant dedicated writing time, and the option to attend workshops with guest experts on topics such as writing productivity, grants, and book publishing.

It was the single best faculty support event/initiative that I have experienced in my time at Berkeley.
August 2025 Retreat Participant

January 2027 Writing Retreat

A full-day writing retreat for UC Berkeley Senate Faculty across all disciplines and ranks. Space is limited to 45 faculty. 

  • When: Thursday, January 14, 2027, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Where: The Venue at Anchor House
  • The retreat includes:

    • A full day of protected writing time before the semester begins

    • A 30-minute mini-workshop with Elena K. Abbott, PhD, a professional developmental editor, on the four stages of writing

    • Delicious breakfast, lunch, coffee, refreshments, and snacks throughout.

    • Time to write alongside faculty from across campus in a focused, supportive environment
  • Applications open the week of November 2, 2026
    • Application deadline: November 17, 2026 
    • Applicants will be notified after the deadline.
    • If accepted, participants must confirm their place by December 11, 2026.
    • If applications exceed capacity, priority will go to faculty who have not previously participated in a January Writing Retreat.

Spring 2027 Writing Cohorts

A cohort-based writing program to support Senate Faculty productivity, connection, and success. The program includes three cohorts of up to 24 faculty each, open to all disciplines and ranks across campus.

  • Monthly 3-hour writing sessions with delicious refreshments and strong coffee, plus optional peer accountability groups 
  • The program offers three separate cohorts: 
    • Monday morning cohort: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. — Jan. 25, Feb. 22, Mar. 29, Apr. 26
    • Tuesday afternoon cohort: 2–5 p.m. — Feb. 2, Mar. 9, Apr. 6, May 4
    • Thursday morning cohort: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. — Feb. 11, Mar. 18, Apr. 15, May 6
  • All sessions take place in California Hall.
  • Use the application to indicate which cohort schedules you are available for. If accepted, you will be assigned to one cohort based on your availability and available space.
  • Applications open the week of November 2, 2026 
    • Priority application deadline: November 17, 2026 
    • Cohort assignments will begin November 18.
    • We will prioritize applicants who can attend all four sessions.
    • If space remains after the initial review, applications will remain open and be reviewed on a rolling basis until all cohorts are full.
    • If accepted, participants must confirm their place by the deadline provided in their acceptance email.
It was the first time that I felt the institution was truly trying to help my scholarship.
August 2025 Retreat Participant

Benefits of Joining

  • Carve out dedicated, distraction-free time for your writing

  • Join a community of like-minded faculty members who, amidst the multiple demands all professors face, are making the same decision to create protected writing time

  • Get to know your fellow professors across ranks and across campus: this program is open to all

  • Enjoy delicious snacks and drinks (coffee/tea/sodas) during our gatherings 

  • Learn of resources on campus and beyond aimed at supporting your productivity as a scholar and career succes

  • Leave each session with renewed momentum and a clearer sense of direction in your writing

Feedback from past participants

“This program was a huge highlight of my semester.”

"This program has helped me cultivate writing as a regular practice (for the first time in my life!) rather than a task that I do in ‘binges.’"

Writing Productivity

“The program allowed me to make substantive progress on my scholarship—including the successful submission of a manuscript for publication!”

“It’s helping me to finish work that has been on my desk for a long time.”

“I started my next book in this program and am three chapters in. Not sure I could have done that without this help!”

Sense of Community and Belonging

“This program provided me with the first steps to integrating into the UC Berkeley community.”

“I appreciate the sense of cross-campus community […] I can connect with colleagues in different disciplines who are navigating similar challenges and opportunities.”

"I’ve benefited greatly from having structured time dedicated to specific projects and writing in community with others, given the isolating nature of academic writing."

Connections and Collaborations across Campus

“I met wonderful people from across campus I wouldn’t have met otherwise.”

“This has allowed me to connect with other faculty and share motivation and excitement for writing.”

“As an assistant professor in my first year at Berkeley, this space offered me an important opportunity to meet and interact with other faculty at all levels and across departments.”

Who is a writer?

Everyone. By writing, we mean engaging in a specific research or creative project that demands writing in support of your success as a faculty member. As long as you think this opportunity for quiet and dedicated writing time will serve you, you are encouraged to apply. 

This program was a huge highlight of my semester
Spring 2025 Writing Collective Participant

Faculty Lead

Lorena Oropeza

Lorena Oropeza, Chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies and Professor in the Chicanx Latinx Studies Program, was trained as a historian of American foreign relations. While her long-standing research interest in race and U.S. empire prompted two books about the Chicano Movement, among other works, her intellectual trajectory was always matched with a determination to make academia a more welcoming place for all. While serving as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Diversity at her former institution, she discovered the value of faculty writing groups. She is currently serving as the co-PI of two UCOP-funded initiatives to offer this sort of opportunity to faculty across the UC system. At Berkeley, she is delighted to serve as the faculty lead for the newly launched Berkeley Faculty Writing Collective.

Coordinator

Tessa Scott

Tessa holds her PhD in linguistics from UC Berkeley and serves as the ARCS (Academic Advancement, Recruitment, and Career Success) Project Coordinator in the Office for Faculty Equity & Welfare. In this role, she develops, implements, and evaluates several programs, including the Berkeley Faculty Writing Collective and Mentoring Reimagined, a campus-wide program to shift mentoring culture across the academic arc.