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 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

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

    • Summer 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.

January 2026 Writing Retreat

This event welcomes Senate Faculty from across UC Berkeley's campus to write in community before the Spring 2026 semester begins. The retreat includes space for 35 participants and is open to all disciplines and ranks across campus. 

  • When: Thursday, January 15th, 2025, 9am–4pm
  • Where: The Venue at Anchor House, 

    1950 Oxford Street
    Berkeley, California 94704

  • The retreat includes:
    • A short workshop by academic writing expert, Elena K. Abbott, PhD
    • 5 hours of uninterrupted writing blocks
    • Catered breakfast, lunch, and snacks 
  • The application will open Monday, November 3rd, and close Friday, November 14th. Space is limited, so please apply soon!

Spring 2026 Writing Cohorts

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

  • When: Monthly 3-hour writing sessions, plus optional peer accountability groups
  • Where: Academic Innovation Studio (AIS) in Dwinelle Hall with delicious refreshments and strong coffee
  • The program offers two cohorts: 
    • Monday afternoon cohort: (2–5pm): 1/26, 2/23, 3/30, 4/27
    • Thursday morning cohort: (9am–12pm): 2/12, 3/12, 4/9, 5/7
  • The application will open Monday, November 3rd, and close Friday, November 14th. Space is limited, so please apply soon!
This program was a huge highlight of my semester
Spring 2025 Writing Collective 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 the Spring 2025 Cohort

The Spring 2025 participants reported greater writing productivity, stronger campus connections, and a deeper sense of community. 

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

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

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

“The Berkeley Faculty Writing Collective was a wonderful experience. The organizers created a supportive and warm space to write. It was inspiring to be surrounded by colleagues typing away and making progress, I certainly did.”

“[The] format has helped me to appreciate the value of 3-hour chunks of dedicated time which make a disproportionately huge difference.”

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

Lorena Oropeza, a Professor of Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley and incoming Chair of the department as of July 1, 2025, 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.