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 multi-day writing retreats. Participants will 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 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: Four three-hour monthly sessions for dedicated writing each semester, with optional weekly accountability groups 

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

Spring 2025 Writing Cohort

  • Approximately 20 faculty from across campus (all disciplines and all ranks)
  • Monthly writing sessions on Mondays in February, March, April, and May 2025 (timing and dates to be determined, according to cohort availability)
  • Location: on campus, room to be determined
  • Delicious refreshments and strong coffee

Fall 2025 Writing Retreat

  • August 19 & 20, 2025, 9am - 5pm, 5 - 6pm social hour
  • Catered breakfast, lunch, snacks, and a cocktail hour at the end of the day
  • UC Berkeley Botanical Garden, Julia Morgan Building
  • Registration opens in April 2025 
  • Writing cohort participants will receive priority registration 

Benefits of Joining

  • Carve out a time and space to prioritize 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 success

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. 

Faculty Lead

Lorena Oropeza

Now a professor of Ethnic Studies, Lorena Oropeza 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. 

SEA Change Bronze Award seal

This program is part of the UC Berkeley SEA Change Bronze Award Initiative