GCAC Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp for Doctoral Students: June 19-21 2024

Why, What, Who, and How?

Why a Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp?

Completing a dissertation is a priority for doctoral students, although finding focused writing time can often be a challenge. Despite its importance, the dissertation is frequently neglected amid all the obligations and distractions of everyday life. A Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp is a chance to step away from that routine and focus exclusively on dissertation-writing for three days in an online setting.

What is a Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp?

The GCAC’s Virtual Dissertation Boot ​Camp is a synchronous program that offers structure and guidance for three full days of writing and writing-related activities. You’ll be required to set aside other demands on your time for these three days, giving you the opportunity to make significant progress on your writing. Each day of the camp includes structured blocks of writing time as well as opportunities to learn process-related strategies for building momentum in your writing that will last beyond our virtual time together.

Note that the Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp will not teach you what a dissertation is, nor will it offer instruction about sentence-level writing principles. Instead, the Camp’s instructional content will focus on how to sustain writing focus and motivation over the course of a long, complex writing project.

Who is eligible to enrol in the Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp?

In order to sign up for the GCAC Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp, you must meet the following conditions:

• You are actively engaged in writing a doctoral dissertation in any department at U of T; the dissertation boot camp is not open to Master’s students.
• You are finished with course work, qualifying exams, and primary research and/or data collection; the boot camp is designed for writing, not further reading and research.

How does the Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp work?

The Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp will be conducted over Zoom. Each day will run from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and will feature a schedule that includes instructor presentations, uninterrupted writing time, and group discussions.

Sample daily schedule (subject to adjustment based on group preferences):

9:00 – 9:45: Brief lecture and guided warm-up/goal-setting exercises

9:45 – 11:45: Writing time

11:45 – 12:00: Check-in on morning writing & planning for the afternoon

12:00 – 1:00: Lunch Break

1:00 – 2:30: Writing time

2:30 – 3:00: Stretch break and small-group discussions

3:00 – 3:45: Writing Time

3:45 – 4:00: Guided exercises to prepare for your next writing session

4:00 – 4:30: Optional Discussion Time

Writing in the (virtual) company of others can be an excellent way to stay focused and combat isolation. Join the GCAC’s Virtual Dissertation Boot Camp to discover the benefits of developing your dissertation-writing practice in an intentional, informed, and socially engaged way.