Writing Support

Dedicated Writing Space
Writing Retreats
HSI Mini Writing Retreats
Eloquenti

Dedicated Writing Space

Dedicated Writing Space (DWS) provides a community of practice to support research and scholarship productivity.

Every semester, DWS meets each week for four 1-hour sessions. Some faculty use one hour; others stay for all four hours. DWS time is unstructured and yours to command - no programming or presentations. Faculty come to the virtual Dedicated Writing Space, share their goal for the hour, and then focus on their writing.

The sessions also provide faculty with an opportunity to connect with grant writers and grant support staff from the Division of Research and Innovation.

Fall 2026 Dedicated Writing Space (DWS) Schedule

Mondays 1 - 3 p.m.
Thursdays 10 a.m. - noon

Writing Retreats

The Research Advancement team sponsors an overnight writing retreat once per year, providing scholars unstructured time and freedom to work on their research and scholarly works. The retreats include optional opportunities to socialize and network during meals, coffee breaks and evening gatherings.

Scholars from across campus apply for the two-day, all-expenses-paid stay at an offsite location.

Applications are due approximately one month before each retreat. Retreats have historically been offered in mid-January and late May, with applications due in December and April.

Priority is given to scholars who have not attended a past writing retreat and are still working toward tenure. A limited number of additional spots are available via lottery.

I loved the retreat and it far surpassed my expectations. It gave me the space and time to make a major breakthrough in my research, and left me feeling refreshed and more confident going into the spring semester.

Writing Retreat Participant

January 2024

Office of HSI Affairs - Mini Writing Retreats

The Office of HSI Affairs is happy to host monthly in-person writing retreats in the BREAK room (PSFA 100 space). Attendees will be treated to coffee and will have the opportunity to set their writing intention for the session. All SDSU Faculty, Staff, and Graduate Students are welcome. Please fill out the interest form to join the HSI Mini Writing Retreats.

There is robust evidence that writing retreats and other dedicated writing spaces increase academic output (both short-term and long-term), facilitate creativity, increase motivation, and facilitate the creation of community. The aim of HSI Affairs writing retreats is to allow faculty, staff or graduate students to use dedicated writing time to progress any project in a supportive environment. These writing projects can range from manuscripts, or grant applications, to proposals or reports. Most of the time is dedicated to quiet writing on a laptop, with a welcome at the outset and an opportunity to set a specific writing intention or goal.

Eloquenti Services

The Division of Research and Innovation has contracted with Eloquenti to support proposal submissions.

Eloquenti offers a range of invaluable services, including grant writing, editing, and more, all tailored to meet the unique needs of SDSU scholars across various disciplines. Whether you require grant writing support, meticulous editing, or specialized assistance, Eloquenti can help.