thesis boot camp

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Dissertation & Thesis Boot Camps

Whether you can't find a good place to begin or are simply procrastinating, UNMC's Dissertation and Thesis Boot Camps are here to help.

Dissertation is a word that can make even the most on-task graduate students shudder.

Whether you can't find a good place to begin or are simply procrastinating, UNMC's Dissertation Boot Camp is here to help you. With the tools we offer, you'll be well equipped to handle any sort of writing challenge that a dissertation can throw at you.

Held two times a year, the Dissertation Boot Camp is designed to help PhD candidates overcome writing obstacles with tips and strategies so you can complete your dissertation.

Register now for a  four-day event that gives you:

• Access to writing experts
• Dedicated writing time – no more excuses or distractions
• Strategies to get and stay on track
• Resources to utilize after Boot Camp is completed
• Lunchtime workshops with topics that may include tips for writing productively, a grammar refresher course, time management or navigating the electronic submission process

The $75 fee (billed to your student account) will be waived in full upon completion of the four-day Boot Camp. That's right, only those students who fail to complete the program must pay the fee.

Event Details

DATE:  December 18 - 21

TIME:  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

PLACE:  McGoogan Health Sciences Library

COST:  $75 Fee (waived in full upon program completion)

DEADLINE:  Submit form by November 30, 2023

Register for Dissertation Boot Camp

Whether you don’t know how to begin or are simply procrastinating, UNMC's Thesis Boot Camp is here to help you. With the tools we offer, you'll be well equipped to handle any writing challenge you encounter with your thesis.

Held two times a year, the Thesis Boot Camp is designed to help MS students overcome writing obstacles with tips and strategies so you can complete your thesis.

Register now for a four-day event that gives you:

DATE:  December 18 - 21

TIME:  9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

PLACE:  McGoogan Health Sciences Library

COST:  $75 Fee (waived in full upon program completion)

DEADLINE:  Submit form by November 30, 2023

Register for Thesis Boot Camp

Boot Camp FAQs

Make sure you read the Frequently Asked Questions to help determine if the Boot Camp is right for you, how you can prepare for the session, and more.

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• Eagle Thesis & Dissertation Boot Camp

Apply for our upcoming Boot Camp sessions:

• January 17, 18, 19
• February 21, 22, 23
• March 25, 26, 27
• April 24, 25, 26

Registration is Open NOW!

What is Boot Camp?

The Eagle Thesis and Dissertation Boot Camp is designed to provide a supportive environment for intense, focused writing time, as well as structure and motivation to overcome typical roadblocks in the dissertation process. It is an interruption-free, stress-free, no-excuses-just-do-it writing time for Master's and Ph.D. students.

We intend for Boot Camp to be a model that you can continue on your own. It is our hope that participants will form small self-motivated work groups, utilize the resources available on campus, and stick to an individualized writing schedule with the momentum gained from Boot Camp.

Am I Eligible?

Sound interesting? Here's what's required of you:

• An approved thesis or dissertation proposal . This is a writing boot camp. You will spend the time writing--not analyzing data or researching. Come prepared to start drafting or revising part of your dissertation.
• Permission from your thesis or dissertation advisor. As part of the application process, we must receive an e-mail from your advisor or the chair of your committee certifying that you are in the writing or revising stage of your project. 
• A clear calendar. Participants need to commit to attending the entire workshop. You will not be excused to teach or attend class. Arrange transportation and childcare so that you are free to attend each day.

If you are accepted and cannot attend, please let us know immediately. It is unacceptable to "no-show" at boot camp. Your advisor will be notified and you will not be allowed to attend the following boot camp.

What Happens at Boot Camp?

Each day includes:

• Several blocks of writing time
• Scheduled, limited time for web browsing
• A lunch conversation with fellow campers
• Space to continue writing in the afternoon

What are others saying about Boot Camp?

"Before the camp, I was just going to quit because I was so overloaded, but now I should actually graduate in May."

"I got more done in the camp than during the entire semester. I wrote about 35 pages."

"This was a good time for me to do this and gave me motivation. I got more done in the last 3 days than the last 3 months. At work it is very noisy. At home it is hard to work because of my son. I am going to go to the Library to work from now on and I also realize that I need to give myself breaks so that I do not get overwhelmed."

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Thesis and Dissertation Boot Camps

See updated information about Spring 2024 Completion Camp below.

Winter 2024

Thesis and Dissertation Boot Camps are intended to help students progress through the writing stages of the thesis and dissertation process. Boot camp motivates participants by providing space, writing support, structured time, and a sense of community. Participants will learn about the thesis and dissertation process and will develop more effective writing practices. Each day of boot camp will include a half-hour goal setting and discussion session followed by 2.5 hours of sustained independent writing time. Writing consultants will be available for brief, 15-minute consultations to provide feedback on your writing or help you get unstuck.     NOTE:   Two, separate boot camps run the same week, but at different times.  The online camp will feature guest speakers on relevant topics for the first portion of each evening. Participants in the in-person camp will be provided access to the guest speaker sessions, and recordings will be sent out to all boot camp participants at the end of the week.  

Online Boot Camp

Register Here!

Date and Time: January 22-25, 6-9PM, daily  Location: Online via Zoom    Registration deadline: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 12pm (noon)  

In-Person Boot Camp

Date and Time: January 23-26, 11:30AM - 3PM, daily    Location: Graduate Writing Center (Third Floor of Weeks Hall)   Registration deadline: Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 12pm (noon)  

Spring 2024 Completion Camp

Apply here!

Date and Time: Tuesday, March 19 - Friday, March 22, 9:00AM - 12PM, daily                                   Breakfast at 8:30AM Location: Graduate Writing Center (Third Floor of Weeks Hall)                         Zoom link available for distance students Registration deadline: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 12pm (noon)  

Each spring, in addition to our regularly scheduled Thesis and Dissertation Boot Camps, we offer a Thesis and Dissertation Completion Camp for those students planning to graduate in the upcoming spring or summer semesters. This camp will be held the week following spring break and will be closely tailored to the needs of students defending, revising, and submitting their thesis or dissertation in spring or summer. 

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Dissertation Boot Camp was created in 2005 to help students progress through the difficult writing stages of the dissertation process. By offering an environment and support for intense, focused writing time, the Camp provides participants with the structure and motivation to overcome typical roadblocks in the dissertation process. 

The Grad Center's Navigating the Academy programs, including Dissertation Boot Camp, are funded in part through a generous grant from  GAPSA . Dissertation Boot Camp is co-facilitated by the Grad Center, Weingarten Center, and Provost Graduate Degrees Office.

Dissertation Boot Camp is a two-week program designed to help advanced doctoral students meet goals and deadlines towards completing the dissertation.

Program Structure 

We typically hold at least two boot camps each year, corresponding with official university break periods.

Participation is limited to 20 students and includes group meetings, individual writing support, and 3-7 hours of focused writing each day. 

Summer and Winter Boot Camps run for two weeks, with required group meetings and individual writing sessions each weekday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, as well as optional writing sessions from 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Students must apply in advance and attend all required sessions. 

Participation in Boot Camp requires a $20 program fee. This cost covers basic writing supplies, snacks, and two lunches during the program. Those with significant financial need can request a fee waiver by emailing Grad Center Director Meredith Wooten (mwooten@upenn).

An additional fee of $50 will be charged to participants who fail to comply with program requirements or drop out of the program without advance notice. This fee is charged via the participant's Penn student account. 

Who Can Participate? 

Boot Camp is designed for students who have an approved dissertation proposal, have completed at least initial stages of their research, and who are actively working on drafts of a dissertation chapter or section. 

Because Boot Camp is limited to 20 students, priority is given to students who have not participated in a boot camp before. If you have participated in a previous two-week Boot Camp, you can request to be placed on a wait list and will be able to register if seats are available one week before the camp begins.

We encourage participants to form small self-motivated writing groups, participate in our other writing support programs, and meet with advisors at the Weingarten Center to sustain any momentum and writing habits they build during Boot Camp.

How to Apply

All participants must apply in advance. A complete application includes:   

Online application (link will only work during open application cycles).  

Submit payment in person at the Graduate Student Center. The $20 payment may be paid by CASH or CHECK only at the main desk in the Grad Center Common Room (first floor). See building hours here .   

Students selected to participate will be notified on a rolling basis. You will receive additional guidance and are expected to discuss your goals for the program with your dissertation advisor(s).

Students who are selected are expected to attend all required sessions of the Boot Camp .

Boot camp meets on weekdays over a two week period.

Each day will include required group check-ins and individual writing sessions from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.  Participants have the option to stay until 4:30 PM. Weekends are off.

Each participant will have an assigned work station, and must follow all Grad Center and Boot Camp Rules, which will be discussed during the orientation session of the Boot Camp.

Boot Camp participants must bring their own laptops and all materials (e.g., books, data) that are necessary. These items can be secured in the Grad Center for the duration of Boot Camp.

During the orientation session, we will have a rules discussion followed by a group workshop on organization and writing offered by the  Weingarten Center . We encourage students to attend one advising session with a Weingarten Advisor at some point before the boot camp or during the two weeks of Camp.  Students can bring drafts of their work, discuss topic and structure, future publications and work, etc. Weingarten staff will remain available on an on-call basis throughout the program for additional appointments, to help students overcome any habits or problems standing in the way of success.

All participants are asked to make a serious commitment to the program. To encourage this sustained commitment, we charge $50 fee to participants who do not abide by the rules or complete the program.

All extenuating circumstances must be documented in writing before the start of Camp. If  your circumstances would cause too much absence or disruption, we will forfeit your seat to another student and refund your supply fee. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions regarding this issue before registering. We will discuss pre-noted and emergency absences in detail during the orientation. As a general rule, we suggest that all students make-up their lost time during the afternoon optional time period.

We are happy to explain our policies and discuss the program with you. Please contact us here or call 215-746-6868.

Graduate Student Center University of Pennsylvania 3615 Locust Walk Philadelphia PA 19104 215-746-6868

[email protected]

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Dissertation Boot Camp

Dissertation Boot Camp is a free-of-charge, all-inclusive weekend program designed to assist doctoral scholars enrolled in any proposal or dissertation course. Services include research, writing, and statistical assistance , along with opportunities to receive individualized guidance. Camp cohort sizes are strategically limited to give campers intentional and focused experiences.  

Dissertation Boot Camp is an ACCOUNTABILITY and SUPPORT program only . Attendees are expected to have basic knowledge about research, writing, and statistical processes. Please consult with your dissertation chair and/or committee before applying.  

Accepted campers must be able to commit to BOTH FULL DAYS of camp. Please make timely accommodations with your personal and/or professional schedules before applying to camp.  

C amps occur near the middle of the fall and spring semesters . Selected students are expected to attend all camp sessions on both days.

S tudents must be currently enrolled in a SHSU doctoral program and complete an application. Faculty members are also encouraged to nominate students. Nominations must include students’ names, Sam IDs, and email addresses, and should be emailed to the Graduate School’s academic support coach at [email protected] . Camp seats are limited and awarded based on need and availability.  

If you or someone you know would benefit from this program, please contact your advisor, chair, or another SHSU graduate faculty or staff member.  

Camp curricula are designed based on the specific and collective needs of selected campers. Each camp ’s schedule of events is vastly different from that of the next . Some topics are delivered as whole-group, general sessions, while others are conducted as one-to-one consultations.   

Below are themes addressed in former camps :  

Accountability & Time Management   Dissertation Committee Relations   Dissertation Mapping   Formatting and Style Review   Institutional Review Board (IRB)   Library Resources   Literature Reviews   Proposal Preparation & Defense   Publishing   Reading , Writing , & Editing Strategies   Statistical Programs & Data  

Registration for Spring 2024 is CLOSED!

Spring 2024 Date : Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23   Time : All day   Location : Zoom  

Summer 2024 Date : TBD   Time : TBD  Location : TBD 

Thesis Boot Camp

Thesis Boot Camp is a comprehensive event designed to facilitate master’s students’ research and writing progress. Thesis Boot Camp is currently held over 1.5 days and supports scholars in all programs, departments, and academic colleges. Direct services include research, writing, and statistical assistance , along with opportunities to receive individualized guidance. Camp is available to those completing traditional and non-traditional theses, capstones, portfolios, and internships.  

To attend camp, students must use the registration link provided by The Graduate School. After registration, selected campers will be notified via email. Seats are filled on a first come, first served basis. Please do not wait to register.

• Camp will be hosted via Zoom.
• Campers must be able to ensure they have reliable internet access.
• Campers must be able to commit to BOTH camp days.

Registration TBD

Summer 2024 Date : TBD Time: TBD Location: TBD

Additional Support Services

We encourage you to attend academic and career and professional development events. Academic Support Seminars ,  KATCH Sessions , and Professional Wednesday Series  presentations are great ways to connect with our office.

The Graduate School

University information technology (uit), main navigation, dissertation/thesis writing boot camps, what is it.

The Dissertation/Thesis Writing Boot Camp is a free program sponsored by the Graduate School and the Marriott Library that gives you a chance to make some serious progress on your dissertation during fall and spring breaks.

Note : You must commit to showing up ready to write, Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. during the boot camp dates.

Why Attend?

The Dissertation Boot Camps aim to help students learn to write more productively by providing the following:

• Comfortable writing space with minimal distractions
• Writing regiment / routine
• Peer motivation and support
• Subject-matter expert help
• Workshops to help you prepare as you research
• Nourishing breakfast every day

Registration

For more information and to register for the upcoming event visit

Graduate Student Resources

If I attended before, may I register again?

Yes, please attend again. Several students have successfully defended and obtained meaningful professional employment after attending one or more boot camps.

Do I have to leave at 1 p.m.?

While the boot camp officially ends at 1 p.m. each day, you're welcome to stay later! The library typically closes at 6 p.m. during breaks.

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Presented by the Lichtenberger Engineering Library, College of Engineering, the Graduate College, & University Writing Center

Register Today space is limited – Registration Form

This full 2-Day Workshop Features

• Dedicated Writing Time
• Optional Workshops on editing, formatting, creating citations, and a few others.
• One-on-one support from Engineering Library, Writing Center, and Graduate College.

Thesis Boot Camp: What is it?

Thesis Boot Camp is a multi-day workshop which provides current engineering and computer science graduate students with the opportunity to spend two days dedicated to making serious progress on their dissertation or master’s thesis. Along with a comfortable, quiet working environment, writing and research support, and snacks and lunches, the workshop offers students community and motivation in that final push towards the completion of their dissertation or thesis.

Registration and cost

Thesis Boot Camp is FREE and will be limited to 30 registrants, on a first come-first served basis.

Please plan on staying for two days from 9:30 am – 4:00 pm.

Who should attend?

Thesis Boot Camp targets current engineering and computer science graduate students at both the PhD and Masters level, who are currently writing their thesis / dissertation.  Participants will benefit from the structured time, space, professional advising and peer support of the program.

Services and supports during the Boot Camp

Writing facilitators, liaison librarians, and members from the graduate college will be on hand to provide assistance at the point of need.

Location & When

Seamans Center Student Commons & Lichtenberger Engineering Library

January 12 & 13, 2022

Draft Schedule

Currently being Redesigned.  This is the schedule from a previous year as an example of the day last year as a guide.

*This schedule is subject to change.*

Please contact Kari Kozak at [email protected] with questions regarding the Thesis Boot Camp.

Thesis Bootcamp

Ucd thesis bootcamp.

Thesis Boot Camp November 2023 details below:

Drop and give me 20,000 words!

• Are you a late-stage PhD student struggling with the writing-up battle?
• Do you put off writing tasks until ‘tomorrow’?
• Are you finding it tough ‘going it alone’?

We have just what you need – Thesis Boot Camp! Dedicated solely to helping you write your first draft, we’ll help you get over that final hurdle, or to kick-start your writing progress if it has stalled.

Sign up to join other graduate researchers in a no-excuses, no-time-for-procrastination, take-no-prisoners intensive writing Boot Camp. Thesis Boot Camp recruits will learn how to battle through late-stage blues, address writer’s block and overcome thesis fatigue to achieve significant progress on their manuscript.

Introductory sessions will include motivational talks, goal setting and strategies for writing quickly and well. Attendees will be required to complete pre-program planning activities and to commit to their own tangible aims for the Boot Camp, such as completing a thesis chapter draft or similar.

Are you up for the challenge?

More about Thesis Boot Camp

There are many ‘boot camp’ style writing programs at universities around the world, though the award-winning Thesis Boot Camp — designed and developed by Dr Peta Freestone in 2012— has proved a winning formula for more than a thousand graduate researchers in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK.

But don’t just take our word for it! After Thesis Boot Camp was introduced at the Australian National University, Dr Inger Mewburn of the popular Thesis Whisperer blog said:

The experience was amazing for me as an educator and the students loved it. They told others how great it was. Several people who had been contemplating quitting altogether actually handed in their thesis. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) kicked in again and students who missed out the first time around actually lobbied ANU for more. We’re now about to run our third one.

You can find out what others have said over at  www.thesisbootcamp.com

Now we’re bringing Thesis Boot Camp to campus, with programme creator Dr Peta Freestone to facilitate the event.

Who can attend Thesis Boot Camp?

Thesis Boot Camp is a free event provided by UCD Graduate Studies. You are an eligible Thesis Boot Camp recruit if you are:

• A late, stage two PhD research student at UCD.
• In the final stages of completing your research degree and are ready to ‘write up’. The ultimate aim of Thesis Boot Camp is to write up to 20,000 words of first draft material. It is not  for editing, revising, preparing presentations or grant applications etc. In other words, you must be able to identify the particular chapter or chapter(s) of your thesis that you will specifically work on as part of your Thesis Boot Camp goal.
• Able to clearly identify how you would benefit from an intensive Boot Camp of drafting a particular section of your thesis.
• Willing and available to attend  all sessions and to commit to the ethos of dedicated writing required at Thesis Boot Camp.
• Able to provide details of an academic referee to support your application (E.g. your supervisor or member of your Research Studies Panel).
• The event is limited to 35 participants and we may receive more applications than there are available places. Please note that due to this, we cannot guarantee participation for all eligible applicants. This also means that you should complete all sections of the application in full, with the above eligibility criteria in mind.

Dates and times

Thesis Boot Camp will take place from  Monday 27 th Nov to Wednesday 29 th  Nov 2023.

All sessions will take place Virtually.   The program outline is as follows:

• Day 1, Monday Nov 27 th 10-6pm
• Day 2, Tuesday Nov 28 th 10-6pm
• Day 3, Wednesday Nov 29 th 10-6pm

Applications close on Friday 10th November 2023

Download and complete the online application form Thesis Boot Camp Application form Nov 2023

Successful applicants will be notified the week commencing Nov 15th if they have been accepted into the programme and preparatory work required will be outlined.

Further Resources

Graduate research student handbook.

A summary of guidance and policies for all research degrees

Research Student Hub

A hub of resources for current graduate research students

Research and Professional Development Planning

Student Supports

Services and supports available to graduate research students

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Are you a late-stage postgraduate researcher? Struggling to finish your thesis? Do you keep putting off your writing? Finding it tough to get motivated? If so, Thesis Boot Camp is for YOU!

The next Thesis Boot Camp will take place on the weekend 18-19 May 2024 

Applications are open until 5pm friday 26 april 2024, fill out the online application form here.

Thesis Boot Camp is an intensive and supportive writing environment for late-stage postgraduate researchers. The core idea is to give you the necessary time, space, and encouragement to make significant progress on your first draft. It’s not designed to provide specific advice on editing, restructuring, or polishing a thesis – the focus is on generating text. This might be producing a large number of words or refining and editing existing content.

Support is provided through short tutorials, group discussion, and one-to-one consultations with the facilitators. Attendees are required to complete preparatory tasks to get the most out of the weekend, and there will be a compulsory short introductory session on the Friday before so attendees can get to know one another.

The weekend is fully catered, but no overnight accommodation is available. We encourage attendees to follow Sussex safety guidelines regarding Covid-19 and other national emergencies. 

Who can attend?

Thesis Boot Camp is a free event provided by the Researcher Development Programme. You are eligible to apply if you are:

a postgraduate researcher at Sussex.

in the final stages of completing your degree - that is, you have completed data collection (in whatever form is relevant to your project and discipline) and are currently 'writing up'. The ultimate aim of Thesis Boot Camp is to write significant amounts of first draft material or to rework and edit existing material (with specific goals in mind). It is  not  for proof-reading, preparing presentations or grant applications, or any outputs other than your thesis.

able to clearly identify how you would benefit from an intensive weekend of drafting a particular section of your thesis, and to identify the particular chapter(s) of your thesis that you will work on as part of your Thesis Boot Camp goals .

willing and able to attend  all  sessions, to complete preparatory tasks in the lead up to the event, and to commit to the ethos of dedicated writing required at Thesis Boot Camp.

able to provide details of an academic referee to support your application (e.g. your supervisor or Director of Doctoral Studies).

Important notes for applicants

There is high demand for places at Thesis Boot Camp and it is likely to be oversubscribed. We'll be assessing each application carefully, so please answer the questions as fully as possible. We want to recruit only attendees who will make the most of the opportunity.

If you accept a place on Thesis Boot Camp and fail to turn up on either day you will be charged the cost of your attendance. Please ensure you inform us well in advance if you need to cancel, so we can pass your place to a researcher on the waiting list.

It's important to note that Thesis Boot Camp is an intensive writing environment and the focus is on productivity, not on style. If you want more general help with improving your academic writing, then one of our RDP writing workshops would be more appropriate for you.

There is no specific support for attendees writing in English as a second language. If you need this type of assistance, you can book one-to-one sessions with the Sussex Language Centre .  

Feedback from Thesis Boot Camp participants:

"There were so many positive aspects. I loved the feeling of community; a PhD is something you have to experience to understand. Meeting and talking to people who are also writing really helps put things into perspective. The food was great! The structured days and the physical activities were very helpful. Some good hints and tips were provided."

"Overall the idea of having a space where we could share the struggles, tips and tricks of becoming writers was very useful. Additionally, having a space where we did not have to worry about anything other than writing was a real luxury!"

"Great set-up and organisers with exercises and guidance to help focus. The environment was good as everyone was there for the same purpose - to keep focused on the thesis! Would certainly recommend it to all PhD students to attend."

If you have any further queries or require additional assitance please contact [email protected] .

E : [email protected]

Copyright © 2024, University of Sussex

Thesis boot camp

Normally held June and December of each year, the Thesis Boot Camp is your chance to write and make headway on your thesis, dissertation or graduate project.

Participants commit to writing for three full days in an uninterrupted environment. The goal is to work on your writing, free from distractions. It’s a rare chance to build momentum and find focus. You’ll also have the chance to meet other grad students working on their thesis, dissertation or project.

Thesis Boot Camp offers several modes of support for thesis writing, including:

• inspirational speakers
• time management workshops
• writing workshops
• stress reducing activities
• copyright and citation management consultations

During these three days, you can sign up for consultations with writing tutors from the Centre for Academic Communication. These sessions will provide personalized feedback and advice. You’ll also be able to ask for help on any barriers you may be experiencing in your writing.

If you’re a distance student or can’t attend the boot camp, please take a look at the documents below. We’re looking into how to make more materials from the Thesis Boot Camps available.

• Perfectionist Writers (PowerPoint)
• Perfectionist Writers (worksheet)
• Mindfulness Practices for Writing
• Mindfulness in Nature (self-guided)
• Writing Groups: Create your own adventure!

Thesis Boot Camp is a collaboration between the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the Centre for Academic Communication, Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation (LTSI), Counselling, and the UVic Libraries.

Frequently asked questions

When is thesis boot camp.

Thesis Boot Camp is typically held twice per year in early June and December.

It is held in the Mearns Centre for Learning (McPherson Library) at the University of Victoria.

The next event will take place December 7-9, 2021.  Registration is now open.

Questions about the event should be directed to Carolyn Swayze, Faculty of Graduate Studies, at  [email protected],  or Tad Suzuki, McPherson Library, at  [email protected].

Who should attend?

Boot camps are open to all actively registered UVic graduate students (master's and PhD). You must be actively writing your thesis, dissertation or research project. It’s essential that you come prepared with drafts or ideas. Be prepared to write.

There are limited spaces in each Thesis Boot Camp, so participants are chosen by lottery. 

Is there a cost?

Yes. The fee for participation in the face to face Thesis Boot Camp is $25, payable by cash or cheque in advance of the event.  Coffee, tea and snacks are provided each morning and afternoon of the boot camp.  Events held virtually through Zoom have no registration fee.

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Drop and give me 20,000 (words)!

Most creativity involves theft.

Take Thesis Bootcamp as just one example. Dr Peta Freestone and Dr Liam Connell from the University of Melbourne, didn’t really invent the Thesis Bootcamp, but they did steal it creatively appropriate it in a rather special way. 

I watched Melbourne University Thesis Bootcamps at a distance, via social media updates. I noticed they’d drafted in Katherine Firth of the fantastic Research Voodoo blog. I started to experience FOMO (fear of missing out) asked Liam to come to ANU and teach me how to do it.

Liam kindly took a weekend out of his time to come to ANU. I’ll be honest: I was still a bit skeptical at the start of the weekend. I thought pushing PhD students, who can be emotionally fragile at the end of their degree, to try to write 20,000 words in a weekend was a dangerous idea.

I was wrong.

The experience was amazing for me as an educator and the students loved it. They told others how great it was. Several people who had been contemplating quitting altogether actually handed in their thesis. FOMO kicked in again and students who missed out the first time around actually lobbied ANU for more. We’re now about to run our third one.

When I started talking about Bootcamps on social media my colleague Dr Lizzie Towl had a FOMO attack and convinced me come to New Zealand this week to help her run the first Victoria University in Wellington Thesis Bootcamp where around 240,000 words were written.

Lots of people have requested a post about bootcamp, but it is Peta and Liam’s (re)invention on the concept and I didn’t want to take undue credit. So I relentlessly hassled them until they wrote a post and here it is – I hope you enjoy it 🙂

Thesis Boot Camp is an intensive writing program. It provides late candidature research students with support and a dedicated environment to help them make maximum progress on their thesis draft. It takes its cue from several ‘dissertation boot camps’ that have been operating in US institutions for years, from drop-in evening programs to summer-long retreats. But before the Melbourne School of Graduate Research began offering Thesis Boot Camp, a three-day intensive for late-stage thesis-writers had not yet been offered in Australian universities. One of us (Peta), who initiated and spearheaded the idea in mid-2012, was a PhD student in the final six months at the time and thus very in tune with what would assist in finishing that difficult first full draft of the thesis. Serendipitously, we both attended a weekend-based creative writing intensive as part of the Melbourne Emerging Writers Festival called ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’, and from these influences, Thesis Boot Camp (TBC) was born.

Since then, TBC has been a success for MSGR, winning major teaching awards, and enabling hundreds of students to collectively write millions of thesis words. Other Australian universities are now beginning to offer their own iterations for their HDR student cohorts. It’s not an accident. We’ve seen it change lives.

Here are a few reasons why Thesis Boot Camp works.

The environment and the cohort

Thesis Boot Camp is a place and space for writing . It’s out of the everyday office or lab, away from chatty colleagues and the gaze of supervisors. For some participants, TBC simply provides the much-needed peace away from family, friends and life responsibilities. But it’s also a safe space to talk about the journey and its struggles. To admit something’s not working.

Why is this important? Most participants are in the final six months of candidature. Many are exhausted and keen for it to all be over. When their scholarship runs out and they’ve still got 4 chapters left to draft, they’ll try anything to get the thesis done. Enter TBC, where they’re immersed in a dedicated environment and encouraged to try a different approach to academic writing.

This will resonate with anyone who’s ever been to a Shut Up and Write : when you’re surrounded by people who write, usually, you will write too. There is a silent accountability (your buddies can see your computer screen), but it’s more than that. There’s been some great discussion about the public performance of writing and its benefits (compared to writing alone) [i] .

At TBC, the cohort experience has a critical impact on students’ sense of purpose, and thus, outcomes. Like most student groups thrown together for a program, they begin as somewhat shy strangers, but this changes as the weekend progresses. In the TBC trenches, peers face down their demons together and celebrate each other’s successes. This is a separate post in and of itself, but as facilitators we notice the conversation in the ‘third space’ conspicuously changes as the program continues. On the Friday night, we hear tentative greetings: ‘h-hi, how are you? What part of the university are you from?’ By Saturday afternoon they’re running into each other in the hall saying ‘hey did you get that chapter finished? Hi five!’

They’ve become a squad.

Facing the blank page.

Our TBC comrade, Dr Katherine Firth, has an excellent blog where she outlines the four ‘phases’ of academic writing: thinking, writing, editing, polishing. Many students attempt this full cycle with every single sentence they produce. They think about a sentence, write it out, edit its structure, then polish it until it gleams, agonising over every word. Then they move into the next sentence. In so doing, their progress is incredibly slow—they’re lost in what Katherine calls the ‘ perfect sentence vortex ’ .

TBC is focused on separating these phases and challenging students to spend a weekend writing . Not editing. Not polishing. Not reading, note taking, planning to write, thinking about writing, cleaning their workspace in preparation for writing, or intending to write when conditions are better.

Not doing everything subconsciously possible to avoid actually… writing.

At TBC, everyone is supported to face the blank page. Generative writing is about getting into that ‘writing’ phase, and staying there until the section, chapter, whatever, is complete. Often at TBC, research students tell us that they feel lost in their data, research and ideas. To help participants focus their thoughts, Liam uses various types of Socratic questioning to get them to tell him what it’s about. Naturally, they tend to use a narrative structure to explain their core questions and the answers they’ve found to those questions. Sometimes just articulating this gets them out of that fog and they rush back to their laptop ready to write it out.

We work hard during the program to convince students of the utility of the rough first draft. This is the ‘zero draft’, the draft that’s just for you, with no need to show anyone. The aim is absolutely not to come to TBC, write fifteen thousand words, open your email on Monday morning, hit ‘Attach’, and send it off to your supervisor. But, no matter how rough it may seem at the time, all the editing and fixing and correcting can come later, because you cannot edit a blank page .

Students frequently find this process unpalatable, because they are used to producing good work. The very fact that they are there in the room as late-candidature HDR students means they are excellent students. As such, they can’t bring themselves to write a rough anything . So, they try to write a great first draft, which is the most difficult, slow, painful way to go about writing a thesis. We convince them to generate the words, then make them great .

Learning by doing

Greg Dening wrote that ‘we never learn the truth by being told it. We need to experience it in some way.’ [ii] We’ve found that enabling research students to have a direct experience of what is possible when it comes to academic writing is empowering.

It is wholly insufficient to say to students ‘you can write your thesis in three months’ or ‘you can write 10,000 words of your manuscript in a day if you just really apply yourself .’ Instead, we tell students we want them to be able to write their thesis confidently and with authority, but they first need an experience of doing so, in a supported environment. We encourage them to stop writing like research students—and here we defer to Dr Katherine Firth again—and to start writing like academics . We want them to write like their supervisors write: ‘bash the bloody thing out, then fix it up later’. At TBC, HDR students have the time, space and support to experience the transition between writing like a student and writing like a professor.

In summary, we have two clear objectives for each TBC and every group that goes through it.

The first is that participants achieve the specific goals they set for themselves, ie: the chapter/s they want to draft over the weekend, the outcome they’re working toward. The second objective is that they have at their disposal an alternative approach to academic writing that can be applied to whatever project they’re working on, from the thesis, to publications, to progress reports, grant applications, and more. That academic writing is not the overwhelmingly long, painful process it is for so many students who get stuck in the perfect sentence vortex .

We have found that the best way for this approach to stick is for them to experience for themselves how it works over a sustained period of time, alongside a supportive cohort of peers in a ‘third space’ environment. At the end of the program, ideally the two come together, they’ve got a sense of how this approach to academic writing works, and they have the results (being the chapters they wanted to write) to prove it.

More information about Thesis Boot Camp at the University of Melbourne can be found here . Dr Pete Freestone runs Thesis Bootcamp in the UK, more details on her website here . If you are an ANU student, you can find more details about how to be involved in Bootcamp here .

[i] Mewburn, et al, ‘Shut Up & Write!: Some Surprising Uses of Cafes and Crowds in Doctoral Writing’, in Claire Aitchison, Cally Guerin (eds), Writing Groups for Doctoral Education and Beyond: Innovations in Practice and Theory (Routledge: London, 2014), pp. 220-2.

[ii] Greg Dening, Performances , (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1996), pp. 316

Interested or curious about what Peta and Liam said? There’s more to tell (they didn’t even mention the lego blocks!). Are you skeptical like I was? Love to hear your thoughts in the comments

Related posts

Katherine Firth’s summary of TBC resources

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The Thesis Whisperer is written by Professor Inger Mewburn, director of researcher development at The Australian National University . New posts on the first Wednesday of the month. Subscribe by email below. Visit the About page to find out more about me, my podcasts and books. I'm on most social media platforms as @thesiswhisperer. The best places to talk to me are LinkedIn , Mastodon and Threads.

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Honors Boot Camp

Main navigation, honors writing at the hume center.

The Hume Center for Writing and Speaking provides many resources to help you with your Honors project.

Honors Boot Camp Spring 2024 Schedule

Sundays from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Hume Center Weeks 3 – 7 (Apr. 14, 21, 28, May 5, 12) RSVP is encouraged but not required

Honors Boot Camp: Write-ins & Writing Tips

Want to make progress on your Honors thesis? Getting ready to submit a section to your readers? Honors Thesis Write-Ins at the Hume Center are a phenomenal way to give yourself time to focus on your thesis. Together with a small group of other thesis writers you will focus on moving your thesis project forward. We will have short breaks for conversation & caffeine, but most of our time will be focused on writing. In a micro lesson, learn the Hume Center’s top tips for developing a clear, compelling argument and then apply them to your writing during the session.

During the first 15 mins, we will present a brief writing lesson, after which we’ll pick up our coffees, dig into our writing, and spend time working quietly in community. Drop-in peer writing tutors are available in the Hume lounge to help with any questions you may have!  Please RSVP here .

Materials for Productive Writing

A writing log promotes detailed record keeping and tracking of your daily writing accomplishments. Here is a writing log template you can use.

A daily planner helps you set realistic goals for each writing session. Here is a daily planner you can use.

Writing Consultations

Theses are difficult new genres for undergraduates because a thesis is usually the longest piece of sustained research writing they produce.  In addition to assisting students with traditional writing issues such as clarifying argument and thesis, framing research, improving transitions or providing revision strategies, our writing consultants also work with students on scheduling and planning, staying motivated, overcoming writer’s block, and assessing a writing schedule for the honors thesis. 

To find a consultant whose background and interests match yours, please review the biographies of lecturer and graduate student consultants . Students may arrange to make on-going weekly or bi-weekly appointments with a specific consultant. Talk with your chosen consultant about how to make this arrangement.

Consultations for Multimedia, Digital, or Oral Presentations

The Hume Center also offers Oral Communication or Digital Media consultations for students working on presentations or visual and multimedia projects related to the Honors thesis. Tutors will help you communicate more clearly and effectively in front of an audience or through the design and visual display of information on research posters or PowerPoint/Prezi.

Learn more about Digital Media Tutoring

Learn more about Oral Communication Tutoring

Writing Boot Camps

We offer two types of Honors Thesis Boot Camps:

• A Department or Program-Specific Boot Camp  is hosted for students from a single department/ program. Dates are set in consultation with the department and we ask for the department's help in recruiting students to attend,
• An Open Boot Camp  is offered to any Honors thesis writer. We schedule the date and advertise it to students via their Honors director or student services manager.

For more information or to schedule a Department/Program Specific Honors Boot Camps, please email  [email protected] .

You can request a workshop or ask your faculty advisor to request one. Workshop topics include writing the Honors proposal, managing the Honors thesis, and learning to write in accordance with the conventions of a particular field. To request a workshop, write to us at [email protected] .

Other Resources

Go to our Student Resource Page to find handouts and materials of use for Honors thesis planning and writing.

• Resources    
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni & Friends
• News & Media

Dissertation and Thesis Writing Boot Camp

Our Dissertation and Thesis Writing Boot Camp will feature four workshops, a silent writing room where you can make writing progress, and a variety of individuals ready to meet with you to address your specific questions during the event (Thesis and Dissertation Office, Applied Research Lab, Library, and Writing Center).

Sign up for the boot camp .

Schedule Details

You can shift between different activities during the boot camp, and can also attend for all or part of the event.

Silent Writing Room

(Open 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) 

Our Silent Writing room is open throughout our Boot Camp. This is a space where you can write in companionable silence with others. Turn off your video and audio and set aside time to write your thesis or dissertation in the quiet company of other writers. Hosted by Madeleine Rosa, assistant director of the Jones White Writing Center.

• Join from PC, Mac, iOS, or Android: https://iupvideo.zoom.us/j/3853748181
• Or join by phone:  +1 312 626 6799 (US Toll) or +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) Meeting ID: 385 374 8181
• International numbers available: https://iupvideo.zoom.us/u/azXNEK1Nk  

Tutoring and Consultations

(Open 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.) in the Boot Camp Lounge

We encourage Boot Camp participants to take advantage of our one-on-one tutorials and consultations that re available throughout the event.

Consultation Schedule:

• Noon–2:00 p.m. – Thesis/Dissertation Office. A staff member from the T/D office will be available for consultations.
• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. - IUP Library. A librarian is available for questions on library references, source searching, databases, EndNote, and much more.
• 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. – Writing Center. Advanced graduate tutors from the Jones White Writing Center are available for tutorials, questions, and support.
• 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. – Applied Research Lab . ARL tutors are available to answer questions about research design, data analysis, Qualtrics, SPSS, or any other aspects of your research.

Tutorials can be requested in advance at [email protected] . Feel free to stop in our lounge anytime during the boot camp and request a consultation or tutorial.  URL for Boot Camp Lounge : https://iupvideo.zoom.us/my/iupwritingcenter  

Interactive Workshops and Presentations

Learn valuable writing and research skills through our advanced writing and research workshops. All workshops take place in the Zoom Room:

• Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://iupvideo.zoom.us/j/9194357080
• Or join by phone: +1 309 205 3325 (US Toll) or +1 312 626 6799 (US Toll) Meeting ID: 919 435 7080
• International numbers available: https://iupvideo.zoom.us/u/ad4Yy1Yo01

Writing Results: Visualizing and Writing About Data

11:15 a.m.–11:50 a.m. Presented by Dana Driscoll, Writing Center director and professor of English

Presentation of results (chapter 3 or 4 for most dissertations) is often described by graduate students as one of the most challenging to write. This presentation will cover general writing strategies including deciding how to tell the ‘story’ of your data in ways that are clear, attending to the needs of readers through intentional organization, and effectively visualizing and presenting qualitative and quantitative data.

Library Resources for Dissertation Writers: SAGE Research Methods and Keenious

Noon–1:00 p.m. Presented by Christopher Clouser, associate professor and chair, IUP Libraries

SAGE Research Methods is the ultimate online methods library with more than 1,000 books, reference works, journal articles, case studies, podcasts, and instructional videos designed to help users learn about their method. Workshop participants will learn how to:

• use the Methods Map to explore research methods and discover content relevant to their research methods journey;
• find lists of key research methods and statistics resources in Reading Lists created by users;
• use the Project Planner to plan their research;
• choose an appropriate statistical method using the Which Stats Test.

Keenious is a cutting-edge tool that assists in locating articles relevant to your research and writing and expands the scope of your literature reviews and other work. Keenious uses AI techniques to quickly find articles relevant to your work, searching the more than 240 million articles indexed in the OpenAlex scholarly database. In the workshop, you'll learn how Keenious works, how to use Keenious to find additional literature for your theses and dissertations, and how to fine-tune your searches for best results.

Artificial Intelligence and Your Research: A Guide for Graduate Students

1:00 p.m.–1:50 p.m. Presented by Jacklyn Helsop, Writing Center tutor and PhD candidate, Composition and Applied Linguistics

Artificial intelligence supports a range of writing and research processes, including producing scholarly works such as publications and dissertations. This workshop offers an overview of the ethics, affordances, and challenges in integrating AI, emphasizing using AI in ways that support your existing writing process. We will also discuss ethics as they apply to the IUP Academic Integrity policy and AI ethics in major academic journals. The workshop will cover a range of material to support ethical uses of AI in your writing, including leveraging AI tools for research, paraphrasing, and building your knowledge.

So, you’ve collected your quantitative data. Now what?

2:00 p.m.–2:50 p.m.  Presented by Paul Hawkins, director of the Applied Research Lab

In this workshop, the Applied Research Lab will present an effective strategy for approaching quantitative data analysis. Students can expect to learn more about the steps, procedures, and skills needed and expected to be used to accurately assess, analyze, and report their quantitative results.

Formatting and Submitting Your Thesis Dissertation

3:00 p.m.–3:50 p.m. Presented by Amiranda Adams, SGSR Thesis and Dissertation Office, GES tutor, and PhD student, Composition and Applied Linguistics

The SGSR Thesis and Dissertation office will offer a complete overview of the process of preparing your dissertation to deposit. Material covered will include formatting submitting your dissertation, preparing your signature pages, timing, addressing revisions, and choices for copyrighting your work.

Why should I attend the boot camp?

Graduate students who attend our boot camps report  statistically significant  improvements in their writing confidence, focus, time management, knowing how to proceed, progress towards thesis/dissertation completion, and also enjoy a  statistically significant  reduction of procrastination surrounding writing. 

Can I attend while I’m in coursework? 

Yes, you are welcome to attend while in coursework—and we encourage it!  We recommend students attend several of our boot camps, starting  in coursework  and continuing  into thesis/dissertation writing .  Our boot camps offer a number of advanced writing strategies (literature review writing, source synthesis, library resources, and source management, etc.) and these benefit all graduate students.  Our fall and spring boot camps offer different content. 

What if I have specific questions? 

We can answer them! We have a number of people who all support your dissertation writing at the boot camp. You can consult with our reference librarians, the Applied Research Lab, Writing Center tutors, and the Thesis and Dissertation Office.  You can schedule tutorials and consultations with them throughout the day.  

I attended the fall boot camp. Should I also attend the spring boot camp?

Yes!  The content of the fall and spring boot camps is entirely different. The fall boot camps focus more on initial writing and research concerns, whereas the spring boot camps focus on later writing and research concerns.  

Can I attend part of the day? 

Sure, you can attend as much as you would like.

This sounds great! How can I sign up? 

Registrations are required in advance for the boot camp. Please sign up online . Once you sign up, we will email you the week before the boot camp with all details.

If you have questions, please write to us at  [email protected] . Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you there! 

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Thesis Boot Camp

• Are you a late-candidature PhD student struggling with the writing-up battle?
• Do you put off writing tasks until ‘tomorrow’?
• Are you finding it tough ‘going it alone’?

We have just what you need – Thesis Boot Camp! Dedicated solely to getting words down on paper (or a computer screen), this program is designed to help late-stage doctoral students get over that final hurdle, or to kick-start their writing progress if it has stalled.

Sign up to join other graduate research comrades at the same candidature stage in a no-excuses, no-time-for-procrastination, take-no-prisoners intensive writing weekend. Not for the faint hearted, Thesis Boot Camp recruits will battle through third-year blues, writer’s block and thesis fatigue to achieve significant progress on their manuscript.

Introductory sessions will include motivational talks, goal setting and strategies for writing quickly and well. Support staff will be on hand and catering will be provided to ensure an encouraging, distraction-free environment. Attendees will be required to complete pre-program planning activities and to commit to their own tangible aims for the weekend, such as completing a thesis chapter draft or similar.

Are you up for the challenge?

More about Thesis Boot Camp

There are many ‘boot camp’ style writing programs at universities around the world, though the award-winning Thesis Boot Camp — designed and developed at the University of Melbourne in 2012— has proved a winning formula for hundreds of PhD and research higher degree students in Australia, the UK and beyond.

But don’t just take our word for it! After Thesis Boot Camp was introduced at the Australian National University in 2014, Dr Inger Mewburn of the popular Thesis Whisperer blog said:

The experience was amazing for me as an educator and the students loved it. They told others how great it was. Several people who had been contemplating quitting altogether actually handed in their thesis. FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) kicked in again and students who missed out the first time around actually lobbied ANU for more. We’re now about to run our third one.

(you can read the full post here )

Now we’re bringing the programme to Royal Holloway with Thesis Boot Camp creator Dr Peta Freestone!

 Who can attend Thesis Boot Camp?

Thesis Boot Camp is a free event provided by Royal Holloway.  You are an eligible Thesis Boot Camp recruit if you are:

• In the final stages of completing your graduate research degree. That is, you have completed data collection (in whatever form is relevant to your project and discipline) and are currently ‘writing up’. The ultimate aim of Thesis Boot Camp is to write 20,000 words of first draft material. It is not for editing, revising, preparing presentations or grant applications etc. In other words, you must be able to identify the particular chapter or chapter(s) of your thesis that you will specifically work on as part of your Thesis Boot Camp goal.
• Able to clearly identify how you would benefit from an intensive weekend of drafting a particular section of your thesis.
• Willing and available to attend all sessions and to commit to the ethos of dedicated writing required at Thesis Boot Camp.
• Able to provide details of an academic referee to support your application (E.g. your supervisor or member of your supervisory panel; a more senior colleague in your research team etc).

The event is limited to 30 participants and we expect to receive more applications than there are available places. Please note that due to this, we cannot guarantee participation for all eligible applicants. This also means that you should complete all sections of the application in full, with the above eligibility criteria in mind.

Dates and times

The first Royal Holloway Thesis Boot Camp will take place from Friday 9 June to Sunday 11 June 2017.

All sessions will take place at the Windsor Building at Egham campus. The program outline is as follows:

• Day 1, Friday 9 June, 4.00pm - 8.30pm
• Day 2, Saturday 10 June, 9.30am - 8.30pm
• Day 3, Sunday 11 June, 9.30am - 8.00pm

A draft programme of the weekend can be viewed here

Applications open 27 th March and closes 28 th April 2017

Complete the online application form here

Successful applicants will be notified from 3 rd May if they have been accepted into the programme.

Time: 16:00

Location: Windsor Building

Categories: Courses and training ,

Upcoming events

Artworks alliance april gathering - creative placemaking.

On Wednesday April 17th , ArtWorks Alliance, will be hosting our second Spring Gathering for 2024 , taking the theme of Crossing Boundaries . Katharine Wheeler will be facilitating the session, based on her experience of Creative Placemaking.

Katharine is a Visual and Social Practice Artist who co-ordinates Partnerships and Project Development for ArtWorks Alliance member organisation The Stove Network in Dumfries. She has just published Embers: a handbook aimed at groups and individuals who are active, or wanting to be active, in bringing about positive change in the places they live. It introduces creative placemaking as a way of making those changes led from within communities. Katharine will be running an online workshop for the ArtWorks Alliance, based on the Embers Handbook: “ How do we work together in communities with others to provoke new ways of doing things? What is our contribution to the foundations required for places to take work forward in the long-term? In this workshop we will look at this through the different lenses of Creativity, Community, Space / Place, Activism, Power, and Impact to think about how participatory practice supports a form of creative exploration that is about asking questions together and trying on possible answers in ways that make room for different experiences and perspectives .”

Book your free place here .

Social Science Impact Network Lunch April 2024

Our quarterly impact network lunches take place on campus for social scientists to connect with colleagues, hear presentations about successful impact stories and learn more about the SSIA. In April, we will be joined by a guest speaker to talk about how to best use LinkedIn to raise your profile and build external relationships. Colleagues from other disciplines are also encouraged to join if they are looking to collaborate on projects that would benefit from social science expertise. Register here .

Research informed by AI tools

• The role of AI in research
• Overview of AI tools for research
• Demonstration of two AI tools
• Tips and tricks when using AI tools
• Further help

The session will take place through MS Teams. You can book your attendance here .

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Thesis Boot Camp

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Writing a thesis is no small task. This two-day workshop is designed to help you battle through writer’s block, overcome thesis fatigue and progress your manuscript quickly.

What is Thesis Boot Camp?

Thesis Boot Camp is an intensive two-day writing workshop for middle-to-final stage higher degree by research (HDR) candidates with a substantial research writing task ahead of them. Across the year, there are options to participate in-person or online .

The aim of the workshop is to draft a substantial amount of written material for your thesis in a short amount of time. Participants at a previous Thesis Boot Camp wrote over a quarter of a million words together!

An experienced facilitator is on hand to help Thesis Bootcamp recruits:

• battle through writer’s block
• defeat thesis fatigue
• defy analysis paralysis
• achieve substantial progress on their manuscript.

Sessions include motivational strategies, structured goal setting and ‘insider tips’ from an expert on writing quickly and well. Participants will benefit from two focused days to engage in dedicated writing, in a supportive group environment.

Dates and expressions of interest

Dates and the expression of interest applications for 2024 are available on the Research Plus Platform .

The number of places for Thesis Boot Camp are limited. Participants are required to complete pre-program activities, meet eligibility criteria, and commit to full participation in all sessions.

Priority will be given to applicants for whom participation will yield the greatest contribution toward successful completion of their degree. This will depend on candidature and writing stage.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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Bristol Doctoral College

Thesis boot camp.

Applications for Thesis Boot Camp are now open!

Thesis Boot Camp  is an intensive writing environment for late-stage  PGRs  to make significant progress on the first draft of their thesis. It does not provide specific advice on editing, restructuring, or polishing a thesis. The focus is on overcoming writer’s block to produce  a large number of  words with the mutual support of a co-working peer cohort.  

In addition to ample writing time, the programme will include breaks for physical exercise and to socialise with other PGRs at the same stage of study.

The next Thesis Boot Camp will be in the PGR Hub (2nd floor, Senate House) ov er three days on the 21 - 23 May :  

• Tuesday 21 May 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
• Wednesday 22 May 9:30  am - 8:00 pm  
• Thursday 23 May 9:30  am – 8:00  pm

Participants are required to attend all 3 days to support each other as a cohort and complete preparatory tasks in advance to maximise results. There will also be  the option to attend a 30 minute  1:1 consultation with  a writing tutor before or during the boot camp .

For further information refer to our FAQs below.

Apply now for Thesis Boot Camp

If you experience any difficulties accessing or filling out the application form on this webpage, please email   [email protected]   for assistance .

Frequently Asked Questions

A list of common queries about how the Thesis Boot Camp works and how to apply. 

Whats the purpose of a Thesis Boot Camp? Will attending benefit me?

Thesis boot camp (TBC) is only suitable for late-stage PGRs as it challenges you to write a significant number of words for your thesis/dissertation in a structured environment with peers at the same stage. Writing together with others in a supportive atmosphere has proven to be an effective strategy for many, rather than the more ‘traditional’ route of writing your thesis alone.

How do I apply?

Apply using the link to the application form on this page. Applications which arrive after the  deadline  or which are not on our TBC application form will not be accepted.

I can’t make the whole of Thesis Boot Camp due to other commitments, can I still attend?

You must attend for the full duration of TBC so that you and the entire group can benefit from the momentum and support of each other. We anticipate high demand for TBCs and thus cannot guarantee places for everyone who would like to attend. We therefore like those who do attend to be able to get the most out of their attendance. 

I have previously attended a Thesis Boot Camp, can I attend again?

Due to the high demand for TBCs we prioritise PGRs who have not previously attended. If you have attended, you can apply to reattend as a Veteran Helper. This will require you to help with some simple tasks over the boot camp. Please complete the application form and answer 'yes' to question 3.

Will I be in front of the screen for the whole time?

For the most part, yes!   This is an intensive event and you will need to be focused on achieving as much as you can on your writing. I n reward for your hard work, we provide refreshments and  frequent breaks for you to get to know your cohort . There will also be some activity breaks where you will have the option to do some gentle exercise or other off-screen activity .  Please wear comfortable clothing which allows you to move for that reason.

What do I need to have with me for TBC?

• A computer/laptop with internet connection:  Thesis Boot Camp is about getting as many words written as possible so you will need a computer/laptop to get the most out of the event. 
• Your preparatory work:  If you are successful in gaining a place on TBC you will be contacted with some preparatory work. This is an essential part of the boot camp training and needs to be completed in advance to have a successful boot camp.
• Key texts only: There may be a couple of books or papers which you feel you may need to refer to in order to write the chapter/section of your thesis which you are working on. If so, you can have those to hand. You should not have substantial amounts of papers or books however, as the bulk of the reading needs to be done before, not during, the TBC.
• Things which make you feel comfortable:  You will be sitting down for many hours at a time (although we highly encourage regular stretching and short breaks) so please feel free to dress in your comfiest clothing – whatever you like to wear when relaxed.

What happens if I'm not successful or can't make these dates? Is there other support available?

We run monthly hybrid  Writer’s Retreats which are day-long supported writing workshops as well as other writing training. Visit our Writing and Referencing  development page for more details of support available.

I have no negative comments, this was an amazing experience. I really appreciated my complete needs being taken care of (food, exercise, scheduled breaks) and having guidance in the process. This Thesis Boot Camp is going to change your life. It will change your view on writing and on yourself as a writer.

I would like to attend every month if there was an option. Thanks for pulling off such a nice event! I attended the Thesis Boot Camp at a highly unmotivated time in my PhD. It just gave me the encouragement. I can't emphasize how helpful it was for my mental health. The feeling of being in a community of writers was so nice. Thanks for everything.

If you have any further questions about TBC, please contact  [email protected] .

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Thesis Boot Camp 24 - 26 March 2023

Thesis Boot Camp 24 - 26 March Egham campus

Thesis Boot Camp applications open!!

• Are you a mid to late-candidature Doctoral Researcher struggling with the drafting/writing-up battle?
• Do you put off writing tasks until ‘tomorrow’?
• Are you finding it tough ‘going it alone’?

We have just what you need – Thesis Boot Camp! (Also known as The Writing Sanctuary). Dedicated solely to getting words down on paper (or a computer screen), this weekend is designed to help late-stage Doctoral Researchers get over that final hurdle, or to kick-start their writing progress if it has stalled.

Sign up to join other Doctoral Researchers at the same candidature stage in a no-time-for-procrastination intensive writing weekend. Not for the faint hearted, Thesis Boot Camp recruits will battle through third-year blues, writer’s block and thesis fatigue to achieve significant progress on their manuscript.

The weekend is on Royal Holloway campus and introductory emails and session will include motivational talks, goal setting and strategies for writing quickly and well. Support will be on hand and catering will be provided to ensure an encouraging, distraction-free environment. Attendees will be required to complete pre-program planning activities and to commit to their own tangible aims for the weekend, such as completing a thesis chapter draft or similar.

Are you up for the challenge?

Researcher thoughts about Thesis Boot Camp

Previously we have run thesis boot camp in 2017, 2019 and 2021 and our participants said this:

It was very productive and created a fantastic working atmosphere

Both chapter drafts [were] completed with time to spare at the end so I had a couple of hours for basic editing. The structure of the weekend and the motivational blocks were key to this.

Yes, it was an amazing experience with all the vibes and lovely instructions

It substantially helped to clarify my thoughts and [I] have been working so much better since.

I wrote 15,000 words during the Boot Camp and continued in the days after the Boot Camp by increasing that to 20,000 words. The Boot Camp provided the perfect environment for writing - no distractions, no opportunity for procrastination, quiet working space, food was provided, structured timetable with adequate breaks, the group around you all doing the same thing.

For myself, this is the best experience among all the university-organised activities

Who can attend Thesis Boot Camp?

Thesis Boot Camp is a  free event  at Royal Holloway.  You are an eligible Thesis Boot Camp recruit if you are:

• In the final stages of completing your research degree. That is, you have completed data collection (in whatever form is relevant to your project and discipline) and are currently ‘writing up’. The ultimate aim of Thesis Boot Camp is to write 20,000 words of first draft material. It is  not  for editing, revising, preparing presentations or grant applications etc. In other words, you must be able to identify the particular chapter or chapter(s) of your thesis that you will specifically work on as part of your Thesis Boot Camp goal.
• Able to clearly identify how you would benefit from an intensive weekend of drafting a particular section of your thesis.
• Willing and available to attend  all  sessions and to commit to the ethos of dedicated writing required at Thesis Boot Camp.
• Able to provide details of an academic referee to support your application (E.g. your supervisor or member of your supervisory panel; a more senior colleague in your research team etc).

The event is limited to 35 participants. This means that you should complete all sections of the application in full.

Dates and times

The fourth Royal Holloway Thesis Boot Camp will take place on campus  4-8pm Friday 24 March, 9:30-8pm Saturday 25 and 9:30-8pm Sunday 26 March

Applications open now and close Friday 3 February 2023

Successful applicants will be notified from the week of the 6 February if they have been accepted into the programme.

Please complete the application form here .

For HDR students who have completed Milestone 1 and are ready to write large chunks of their theses.Three-day writing events that include goal setting, accountability and motivation from other participants. Join us, and write up to 20,000 words in three days!

Dates for 2024 ( find out about Noongar seasons )

• Djeran boot camp: 3-5 April
• Makuru boot camp: 19-21 June
• Djilba boot camp: 3-5 September
• Kambarang boot camp: 20-22 November

Information on how to apply is sent to all HDR students via email; places are limited. See participants in a previous boot camp below, which shows face-to-face and online students celebrating their word count goals with paper crowns. The crowns are also tasty as proven by one of the online attendee’s pet rabbit :-)

Testimonials

Thesis Boot Camp attendee (April 2021, Faculty of Science & Engineering)

Although these two days were tiring, the camp helped me to realise that I was capable of writing a huge amount of words within a short period of time. Thanks again for organizing this thesis boot camp. It was amazing to work with a group of HDR students throughout these two days, thanks everyone for coming together and writing thesis drafts together. I hope to see you all somewhere again in the future.

… and here are other attendees explaining what they liked best about Thesis Boot Camp:

• Encouragement and support
• Dedicated, structured time to do nothing but write.
• …that everyone is working towards a similar target.
• Connection with and support from other students to write my thesis.
• The philosophy of writing, writing, writing without going back for editing. After seeing the number of written words I was able to achieve, I got more encouraged to keep writing.
• Motivation from facilitator and other participants. Commitment to the time to write.