Taft Writes
The Taft Research Center is committed to supporting faculty, student, and postdoctoral scholars with the structure and community they need to advance their writing goals.
From retreats and write-on-sites to workshops and writing accountability groups, we offer several stand-alone and partnered programs.
For Faculty & Postdoctoral Fellows
Taft Faculty Write
Open to all UC faculty, Taft Faculty Write retreats provide the space, time, and structure to accelerate your writing!
Join Dr. Laura Micciche for a full or half day; attend all four sessions, or only what your schedule allows. Participants will work on independent writing projects alongside one another. In addition to writing, we’ll take short breaks to set goals, report progress, and move around. Sessions run once a month on Friday 10am–3pm.
Co-sponsored with the Faculty Enrichment Center who will provide light refreshments during each session. Join in-person at FEC or online via Zoom. Register via Faculty OneStop.
Fall 2026 Sessions: August 28, September 25, October 23, November 20; Fridays, 10am–3pm
First Draft Faculty Fellowship Sprint
Join arts, humanities, and social science colleagues working on fall fellowship applications for a first draft writing sprint! We’ll provide coffee, snacks, and lunch, as well as insights from past UC awardees. You’ll leave with a first draft of your project proposal! Open to all UC faculty and postdoctoral fellows. Presented in partnership with the College–Conservatory of Music.
Fall 2026 Session: August 28, 10am–3pm
The sprint will run concurrently with the first Taft Faculty Write session, with a lunch and learn session about fellowship opportunities.
Final Touches Fellowship Feedback
Join arts, humanities, and social science colleagues working on fall fellowship applications for a final touches feedback session. Hear from past winners and research support staff on what makes a compelling application. Receive feedback on your draft from panelists and fellow applicants during the interactive breakout sessions. Open to all UC faculty and postdoctoral fellows. Presented in partnership with the College–Conservatory of Music.
Fall 2026 Session: Thursday, September 3, 2–4pm
For Graduate Students
Graduate Writing Accountability Sessions
Join us for a structured in-person and online writing session designed to help you make progress on seminar papers, theses, dissertations, creative writing or other projects! We’ll provide quiet work time, free food and a supportive community. Just bring a writing goal and something to write with.
Participants are welcome to drop in or stay for the full session. Open to all graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
This event is offered through a partnership between the Taft Research Center, the Academic Writing Center and the Graduate College.
Fall 2026 Virtual Sessions: September 11, October 16, November 13; Fridays, 9:30–noon
Fall 2026 In-Person Sessions: September 24, October 29, November 19; Thursdays, 11am–4pm