The Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development now offers programs that support faculty as writers. Led by Monique Dufour, PhD, Director of Faculty Development in the School of Medicine, the programs help faculty to build a sustainable writing practice and advance their work. The growing roster of programs includes writing retreats and workshops.
SOM writing retreats provide faculty writers of all types and ranks with an opportunity to connect with their projects and develop skills to support their writing practice once the retreats are over. Facilitated by Dr. Dufour, retreats include focused writing sessions, short workshops, and opportunities to meet colleagues and learn about one another’s work.
In partnership with UVA’s Office of Executive Vice President and Provost and the Center for Faculty Wellbeing and Development, Dr. Dufour also leads cross-Grounds retreats where SOM faculty can network with UVA colleagues while making progress on their writing projects.
This summer, the Office of Faculty Affairs and Faculty Development led two fully booked retreats at Morven Farm. In June, a three-day retreat, co-sponsored with the Provost Office, was attended by faculty from across UVA. The second retreat, offered exclusively for SOM faculty, was held Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and included 30 SOM research and clinical faculty participants.
Summer retreat participants reported that they made progress on their manuscripts, learned useful techniques, and met new colleagues. One writer was excited that they “finished eleven grant-related documents in 1.5 days.”
Another “made some break throughs by doing the short, focused writing” practices. Many encouraged their colleagues to attend. “I have many colleagues struggling to move into publication and research phases of their career,” observed one participant. “I would love to see them move forward with these great tips and tricks and just the sheer positivity of the program.”
This fall, faculty have many new opportunities to attend SOM writing support programs, including a SOM faculty writing retreat at Morven Farm and four UVA-wide mini-writing retreats. Plans for a writing group program are also in the works, as well as programs for faculty who co-author with graduate students and trainees.
Upcoming Opportunities
School of Medicine Faculty Writing Retreat
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
8:30am-4:00pm
Morven Farm
Apply here.
Mini-Retreats
Hybrid: Join in person at the Center for Faculty Wellbeing and Development and online via Zoom.
Registration required. Register here.
Put writing on your calendar, make progress on your work, and meet colleagues from across campus. Facilitated by Dr. Monique Dufour, the mini-retreat features three 50-minute writing sessions with 10-minute breaks.
- Thursday, Sept. 25, 1:00-4:00pm
- Monday, Oct. 20, 9:00am-noon
- Tuesday, Nov. 18, 9:00am-noon
- Wednesday, Dec. 10, 1:00-noon
Filed Under: Faculty