online phd writing groups

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Expand Your Pack: Start or Join an Online Writing Group!

Are you looking for a way to get started on a summer writing project? While we often think of academic writing as a solitary pursuit, we can benefit from the community of other writers, whether they share advice about their processes, give feedback on our work, commiserate with our struggles, or simply work beside us virtually. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and amid busy schedules, online writing groups have proven an indispensable source of support for academic writers seeking accountability, motivation, and community .

Last fall, the Graduate School Professional Development Team launched the GradPack Slack Space for grad and postdoc trainees to join or start peer-lead online writing groups. Members can browse Slack channels to find virtual writing support groups with a variety of formats or disciplinary focuses. Alternatively, members can propose new writing groups based on their needs and interests and create new Slack channels for their groups.

To explore the benefits of online writing groups and best practices for leading them, we reached out to six current and former peer group leaders for their perspectives: Claudia Alberico (Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management PhD), Abida Haque (Computer Science PhD), Iwinosa Idahor (Educational Leadership, Policy, and Human Development PhD), Kate Jones (Geospatial Analytics PhD), Dr. Alex Milliken (a recent graduate in Computer Science), and Honey Minkowitz (Public Administration PhD).

Why Should I Start an Online Writing Group?

Help colleagues be productive and accountable

As Honey explains, “by becoming a leader, I could help other people that were in the same process.” Claudia adds that “working on Zoom was good for us to have that accountability, be able to share our anxieties, and learn from each other”. Iwinosa elaborates on the value of leading online writing groups for maintaining energy on writing projects: “I really enjoyed the momentum that we gained during the [spring 2020 online] retreat , and I didn’t want to lose that.” By forming a writing group, she connected with “other students who didn’t want to lose that either, so we were able to keep that going.”

Build community

Kate explains that “even though I’ve never met these people in person, I do feel very connected to them and their projects”.

For Iwinosa, “a big component was making sure that we were holding each other accountable and providing a community.” Honey agrees that the “biggest lesson for me was providing that opportunity for collaboration and connection” among writing group members. Moreover, Alex suggests that leading a virtual writing group can be an “opportunity to interact with folks outside your discipline or lab group.”

Practice leadership skills

All writing group leaders cultivate transferable skills such as maintaining meeting schedules, communicating with group members, and listening to members to establish meeting formats that work with their needs. As Abida notes, “I like to work with other people [and] I also like to lead things, so I thought it would be nice to lead a group, use my ideas, and experiment with them.” Alex specifically found the leadership aspects motivating for their own writing accountability: “if I personally lead things, then I’m more likely to be accountable as well. Knowing that I was going to be able to help others, in turn, guides me to get my own stuff done.”

Carve out dedicated time to make progress on writing projects

Kate finds that leading a group helps her to be intentional about scheduling writing time: “I’ve been setting aside a very structured hour every single week, which makes it seem less daunting to really carve out more writing time when needed.” Abida, too, notes that as a writing group leader, “honoring those times is really important also for yourself,” even if group members are not able to attend every meet-up.

What Type of Writing is Best for Me?

Here are a few common writing group formats that you could start or join based on the types of writing support that you are looking for:

• Productivity Groups meet regularly in real time to write together, for example on Zoom or other video conferencing platform. Members often start the session by sharing their goals and end the session by reflecting on their progress, and may incorporate techniques, like the Pomodoro technique , to divide a longer session into manageable working blocks.
• Accountability Groups meet briefly (for example, 30 minutes every month) to discuss goals and setbacks on writing and provide external peer accountability. Members might participate in accountability groups asynchronously by exchanging messages in a group chat app to motivate each other, share common struggles, and report small victories.
• Feedback Groups provide feedback on each other’s writing, such as advice about the structure/organization or style, by meeting via Zoom or other videoconferencing platform. These groups may meet less often than working groups depending on members’ writing timelines and goals (ex. monthly versus weekly or biweekly meetings).

Your writing group may combine aspects of these formats depending on members’ needs and interests. For example, Abida uses Slack to organize “hashtag writing sprints,” or virtual Pomodoro working sessions that do not require members to be on Zoom: “I’ll put a message on #general [Slack channel], and I’ll say, ‘Hey, everybody, I’m going to start sets of 20 minutes’.” She shares a link to the cuckoo.team collaborative timer tool to announce the start and end of each working block and break times. With this tool, users do not need to be on Zoom to participate in a virtual working session.

You can also join multiple writing groups for help with different aspects of the writing process. As Kate puts it, “don’t necessarily feel like you need to be in just one group. I know of four or five members who write in multiple groups” based on their writing goals.

How Can I be a Good Group Leader?

Be clear and consistent about the purpose and logistics of the group : As Alex suggests, “the group worked well when we had a scheduled meeting time,” and Iwinosa adds that it’s good to “stick to one time” for consistency.

Before the group begins, you should send a survey to prospective members about their availability. You should also have an informational meeting to determine regular meeting times and formats that are best for members’ needs and interests. For example, do members want to meet regularly to write together on Zoom, meet to discuss common writing challenges, or give feedback on each others’ work?

As the group starts, you should have a communication plan, such as when and how you will remind members about meetings and how members can communicate with each other (ex. Slack messaging, emails).

Abida likewise recommends having a consistent meeting time “because when people know [the meeting times], they can trust you, they can expect you to show up and to help them out.”

Create “rituals” to structure meetings : Your group should create a routine for every meeting. As Claudia explains, “I took a leadership role to actually get the group started, to say, ‘okay, we’re meeting to get to know each other,’ and we’ll decide what we’re going to do from there.” In her group, members greeted each other, discussed writing progress, and set goals for the working session before beginning to work using the Pomodoro technique. They also took a few minutes at the end of the session to reflect on their work period and set new goals.

Iwinosa suggests creating norms to manage expectations: “We set up guidelines [such as] ‘we’re doing it virtually,’ ‘we keep our cameras on,’ just to be able to see each other and to hold each other accountable”.

Honey’s group for public administration majors also has a routine. As she explains, “we talk for a while, catching up with lives and how things are going during COVID. And then we write in silence for a block.” These “rituals” build structure into the meeting and can help prospective members understand what they will get from the group.

Build rapport in a virtual setting : Likewise, it’s especially important now to create rapport, or an emotional connection, with group members. Admittedly, this can be challenging in a virtual setting like Zoom, but it’s crucial to create that connection and community when we are physically isolated from colleagues. Alex recommends establishing this rapport during the first meeting: “Try to get to know them [your group members], as opposed to just get to know what they’re working on. Ask them about extracurricular activities, or other things that they do that they enjoy.” These brief conversations can become part of your group’s routine, as Kate suggests: “Take that five or six minutes at the beginning of the writing meeting to still establish community”.

Be flexible, supportive, and responsive to group members’ needs : Effective writing group leaders listen to group members and negotiate norms that work with their needs. They also make adjustments when the current format isn’t working. For example, Honey mentions that “I’ve tried to hone it into what people are interested in.” Her group started as a motivational listserv for writers across disciplines but evolved into a feedback group for writers in her field of public administration: “A discipline-based writing group might be more beneficial” to connect writers with similar background knowledge and goals. Iwinosa likewise advises to “be as flexible as possible and offer a variety of options”. For example, you may need to shift the focus from milestone projects, like dissertations, and word counts to a broader set of “writing-related activities,” like analyzing data, summarizing literature, and practicing conference presentations that keep group members productive and motivated.

Good group leaders also cultivate empathy and help members celebrate small victories, “serving as that cheerleader for your group,” as Iwinosa puts it. Alex, moreover, suggests that leaders can “show that they [your writing groups members] can be proud of themselves for completing tangential, relevant tasks to their writing project” even if they did not accomplish their initial goal for the session.

Sometimes, group leaders have to reach out to members who are less responsive. This can be difficult, but, as Alex recommends, “if you notice that maybe someone is falling behind, or maybe they’re not showing up, reach out” using tools like email or Slack direct messaging. Iwinosa agrees that it’s important to be understanding and “show grace to your group. Understanding that there may be days where you’ll be the only one in the session, and then there’ll be times where the entire group shows up”.

However, writing group leaders should not feel pressured to micromanage members. Rather, the goal is to cultivate a positive, supportive environment for group members who engage and to recognize when your group’s working routines may not be the best fit for everyone. Abida explains that “what’s worked better for me…is to just be someone that is encouraging” to colleagues facing similar writing struggles and create a supportive virtual space for members to work together on writing.

Model good writing habits : As Iwinosa explains, being a group leader involves “encouraging not only your group, but also yourself as a peer leader, to take care of yourself, modeling what it looks like to take breaks to practice self care in order to stay focused and motivated.”

Get Involved!

For step-by-step guides on getting started with an online writing group, see these resources from Inside Higher Education and UNC Writing Center .

If you have questions or would like to share about a writing group you are currently leading, contact Dr. Katie Homar on the Professional Development Team.

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Join Us for Our Fall Online Writing Retreat 

Virtual Writing Groups

Program overview.

Writing can feel very solitary, but it doesn’t have to be. In these virtual writing groups, you receive the tools and emotional support you need to have your most productive writing season possible.

Each week, we meet online for a one-hour meeting to check-in about writing progress and set goals for the upcoming week. We also troubleshoot any writing challenges or issues that are top of mind for each writing group participant and celebrate successes.

Writing group members choose the topics they want to discuss each week, so the meetings are highly personalized to participant’s needs.

Program Outline

There is a very basic agenda for each hour-long weekly session.

We start with a 10-minute check-in where each person shares how things went with their writing goals in the past week.

The middle part of the session is about 40 minutes of group coaching, where members of the group can raise specific topics or questions that they want to receive coaching around. This middle part of the session is highly variable because the members of the group choose the topics to discuss.

We end each session with about 10 minutes for setting goals for the upcoming week and creating individualized plans for accountability.

Each program offering includes:

12 weekly group coaching sessions via zoom..

Each 60-minute session will begin with a quick check-in from each participant, followed by group coaching based on topics that the group chooses. Each session ends with goal setting and accountability plans.

Two private coaching sessions on topics of your choice.

You can schedule these 60-minute private sessions before the groups starts, while the group is running, or after the group ends. Common session topics include pipeline planning, confidence building, and developmental editing.

Access to my 9-part course on academic writing and publishing.

This course includes nine modules on topics such as setting and accomplishing writing goals, developing book proposals, organizing edited collections, and a whole lot more. The course never expires, so you can explore the modules on your own schedule.

A lifetime membership to Prolific, an online community for academic writers.

I built Prolific as a space for academics to come together and write in community. As a member of Prolific, you’ll be able to participate in monthly events such as reading groups and webinars, respond to weekly goal-setting posts to stay accountable to your writing, and much more.

Participant Testimonials

Initially, I was concerned about fitting the writing groups into my graduate-student budget. But, now, I can honestly say that this has been the best investment I’ve made since beginning my PhD program. What I’ve learned about pacing, accountability, and setting achievable writing goals has already made me a happier, more productive writer and will surely position me for success once I begin to tackle my dissertation topic.

Doctoral Student , University at Buffalo

I cannot express enough gratitude about participating in this writing group. I’ve learned a lot about myself as a writer and I have a clearer picture of what I need to move forward in my writing projects. I appreciate the willingness of other group members to share resources. This has been a game changing experience for me.

Acting Director Center for Black Studies , Northern Illinois University

This was a wonderful-beyond-my-biggest- expectations writing group. It’s been so constructive to connect with and learn from people who are in different, but recognizable, places in their academic careers. I left this group feeling supported in my specific academic goals and aspirations in a way I have never felt before, with a better understanding of what I need and how I can get it. In short, I feel hopeful. THANK YOU!

Assistant Professor of Creative Writing , Heidelberg University

I came up with a plan so that I would be ready for my regularization (tenure) review years from now. I had been hunkering down to get my dissertation done, but as a writer, I hadn’t decided what to do after that. I left this group with a vision for the future, but also concrete steps to move forward.

Instructor , Capilano University

Focusing on my identity as a scholar and writer is something that I’ve come to later in my career. Katie’s coaching was just the foundation I needed to gain confidence, strategies and camaraderie with like-minded colleagues. This investment in myself was one of the best personal and professional decisions I’ve ever made.

Professor , Northern Arizona University

This writing group gave me the encouragement and focus necessary to complete my dissertation. I learned to situate myself as a writer, academic, and researcher through the interactions and discussions of the group. This group has done more to help me in this endeavor than any class at the University.

Master Teacher , Nevada Teach

This writing group has been the space that I’ve needed because it’s not always just about the writing itself. It’s about the conversation that gets you to where you need to be. Creating the space to talk about my writing has been really important to me.

Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs , Providence College

I highly recommend Katie’s writing groups.  My writing group was a wonderfully supportive and productive experience!  Weekly chats about writing productivity, tips on organizing my manuscript pipeline, and regular check-ins (specific to my progress) created a helpful structure to keep me on track.  Katie always had great tips to help us overcome hurdles and she definitely understands the complicated nature of academic publishing.  The writing groups provide the much-needed writing  support I needed!

Assistant Professor of Marketing , American University

I’ve been inspired by this process and by what Katie does as a coach. There are things I’ve taken away from everyone in the group. It’s something I’ll pull from when I need some inspiration.

Associate Professor of Musicology , Appalachian State University

Getting as far as I did with my dissertation, I feel more like a contributing member to my field. I feel more like a writer in my field than a student in my field.

Doctoral Student , University of Arkansas

Katie’s writing group helped me to simplify and systematize both my academic and professional writing so that it is not only manageable, but also enjoyable.

PhD Candidate , Nova Southeastern University

Katie’s writing group was an unparalleled investment as I begin my work toward a Ph.D. I went in thinking I wanted to be an academic writer and came out feeling that I am an academic writer. The strategies Katie shared and the conversations we had in our group were vital in helping me to believe I am a writer and then to make that belief true. The camaraderie of the group created space to grow and try out new techniques to improve my writing focus and perseverance.

Mathematics Teacher & PhD Applicant , Brattleboro Union HIgher School

This has been the most incredibly productive three months of my academic life, which is directly as a result of this writing group.

Associate Professor of Music Education , University of Massachusetts Amherst

Next Offering: June-August, 2022

$1350 when paid in full or three monthly payments of $500 ($1500 total)

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Silent Zoom Writing Group

Join academics, postgraduates and creatives from all over the world in an online writing group.

Organised by  Dr Sophie Weeks  and  Kyveli Lignou-Tsamantani  at the University of York, SZWG is a online writing group. They have run sessions every weekday since lockdown in March 2020, and the group has continued to grow. Currently, there are over 150 members.

​SZWG offers community, accountability, and structure by hosting regular weekday sessions for participants to write together in solidarity.

How does it work?

We write in silence on Zoom (video can be on or off).

Writers join the Zoom meeting and share their goals in the chat.

Each 50-min writing session is followed by a 10-min break.

At the end, we report back on our progress in the chat.

When is it?

Every Weekday

10.00-12.00 GMT

15.00-17.00 GMT (10.00-12.00 EST)

How do I join?

Sign up via the Silent Zoom Writing Group website.

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supportive. informative. community.

Join the community for just $5/month, your guide to:, running a writing group.

i signed up for a writing group through the university writing center on a whim - i was cleaning out my inbox, a nearly obsessive form of procrastination for me, and saw the notice that groups were forming soon. it was the fall of my fourth year (of a five year program) and i needed some motivation. i had a draft of my prospectus that needed polishing, a schedule that was becoming more and more freeform as i advanced through the degree, and more and more pressure to research, write and publish as much as possible. though it went through several permutations, my writing group was one of the most persistent, helpful, and supportive spaces through my candidacy. but most importantly, it taught me how to get feedback on purpose - and how to find the feedback I wasn’t necessarily getting from my advisor. i took many of those skills with me into my coaching practice, and am proud to say that i now create and facilitate writing groups for all kinds of disciplines all around the world!

but not everyone can afford to work with me directly, so i've written up this guide to starting, managing, and planning writing groups! it includes different ways to organize your group, guidelines, schedules, activities, and more. my aim with this guide was to walk you through my thought processes as i create groups (and benefit from them myself!), so that you can have more information as you create and run a group that meets your specific needs.

this is a 20+ page guide to help you:

explore different kinds of writing groups to find the balance that suits you best

information to help you set good guidelines and timing so your group can be sustainable and supportive

forms to help guide the activities of the writing group

activities to try in your groups to shake things up and go deeper with the craft of academic writing!

Writing groups ONLINE

Writing groups provide an opportunity to develop scientific writing expertise , and act as a supporting framework helping participants achieve their writing goals .

Writing groups meet monthly over a period of 6–12 months. Each session lasts 2-3 hours and is highly structured in order to provide maximum benefits to the participants with the following elements:

• Goal setting & evaluation . Reflection about the past month and setting goals for the next month. Reflective freewriting and conversation with a peer.
• Q&A session and discussion of relevant topics.
• Peer feedback on participants’ texts.

  Besides general writing groups with mixed participants, specialized writing groups are possible as well: I. “Kickstart your PhD” writing group helps the beginning PhD students develop their scientific writing skills , get organized and build collegial and collaborative relationships with their peers. Participants learn to use writing as a support for their scientific thinking, start to consistently document their research activities and develop productive routines. At the end, participants appear as confident writers ready to tackle independent writing projects.

II. “Finish your PhD” writing group functions as a success team and accountability group , helping participants juggle multiple projects and responsibilities, overcome challenges and work consistently towards their writing goals . This format provides a framework for participants to prioritize and schedule their writing and remaining experimental work, reflect upon their progress, plan next steps, ask for advice and feedback, and get inspired and motivated through their involvement with struggles and successes of their peers.

Participant feedback

I learned to think about a text in a more structured way — writing & revising now seems less overwhelming.

The monthly goal-setting was very useful. It helped me to stay on track with my thesis.

I really like this format because it connects PhD students and makes them more aware of each other’s work.

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Academic Creating Effective Peer Writing Groups

Basic page sidebar menu penn gsc, by elizabeth bynum.

Whether you’re working on a dissertation, a class project, or a piece of fiction, writing can be a solitary task. As graduate students, our seminars and classes are all about dialogue and learning from our peers. However, in many fields, when it’s time to write, it’s just us and a blank page. Writer’s block, coursework, family obligations, and other responsibilities can sap our motivation and make it difficult to make progress. As a PhD Candidate in Penn’s School of Arts and Science working on my dissertation, I also found that the isolation created by the pandemic became yet another obstacle to my writing. Over the past year, I’ve received a lot of support and motivation from my peers through supportive writing groups.  

Based on your goals, you might approach a peer writing group in a few different ways. You might use a writing group to co-write with your peers at a specific time each week. Alternatively, your writing group might be a support system for regularly sharing goals and creating accountability. During the summer of 2020, a few of my colleagues in the Music department created a WhatsApp group. Each weekday, we shared our writing goals and checked in with one another. It was nice to be more in touch with this set of colleagues, and the group helped me feel more accountable for completing the goals I established. In January of this year, I signed up for the Grad Center’s virtual dissertation boot camp. Through that program, I was paired with a few peers for daily goal check-ins. After the boot camp ended, we continued to meet each week to share goals and scheduled regular co-writing sessions via Zoom.    

If a writing group sounds like something that could help you meet your goals, there are a few concrete steps you can take to form a group. 

Identify people you would like to form a writing group with. These may be people in your cohort, your program, a class you are taking, or even friends from outside grad school. They may be in your discipline, but they but don’t have to be. Your initial ask can be simple: is anyone interested in forming a writing support group? You can also join the  Virtual Grad Center’s Slack channel  or be paired in an  Accountability Group . 

Agree on your goals collectively. Once you’ve found people to form your writing group, it’s time to work out the details. What do you each want from a writing accountability group? To make these decisions, ask your peers questions like: do we want to organize co-writing sessions? Do we want to share goals on a weekly basis? Is anyone interested in exchanging drafts for feedback? Last summer, with my colleagues from music, we exchanged writing regularly, including abstracts, essays, and grant applications. This worked especially well since we were in the same discipline.  

Establish a set meeting time. This could be the time you meet to write together or when you share goals. Try to pick a day and time of the week that will work for you consistently. I found it helpful to have a consistent meeting time when my peers and I were trying to have synchronous check-ins. Of course, you don’t have to schedule synchronous meetings. You can share goals via a group chat, or other platforms. However, I've found that regular meetings helped me to stay connected with my peers.  

Implement a clear process for meetings. Think about how you’ll start meetings. Do you want to each share your progress from the past week, and then outline new goals? What kind of feedback would you like to offer each other? If you are doing co-writing sessions, think about how you might build in breaks to those, and check in with each other to chat and build community. 

Regular communication between meetings. Think through how you’ll stay in touch. One of the most important things I’ve found for staying consistent with a writing group was having a specific way to stay in touch. That way, when schedules changed or something came up, it was easier to reschedule and regroup. Would your group like to use a shared WhatsApp chat, Slack thread, or another forum for staying in contact? Additionally, if you’re all connected on one thread, you could share goals throughout the week in between meetings.  Try to check in periodically every few weeks to confirm that the schedule and system are working for everyone. 

Building in peer support through a writing group has encouraged me to think through specific goals each week. Over the past year, when I hit stumbling blocks, the regular check-ins have also been a space to troubleshoot. Writing feels a lot less lonely with peer support to help me meet my goals and create a community around the work we’re all doing. 

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Thesis and Dissertation Writing Programs

In addition to one-on-one writing appointments, the Graduate Writing Center has a number of programs and workshops that offer support to dissertators and thesis writers.

During the academic year, the GWC offers single-session overview workshops on master's theses, dissertation proposals, and dissertation writing. Click our current schedule or browse past workshops to see when these topics may be offered. We also encourage you to look at relevant workshop videos .

Writing Groups

The Graduate Writing Center sometimes organizes writing groups of various types (online writing groups, facilitated writing groups, or independent writing groups). We are also happy to help groups of graduate students self-organize into writing groups. For best practices on setting up writing groups, see our writing groups resource page . For information about writing groups currently being offered or organized by the GWC, see our writing groups web page.

Master's Thesis Mentoring Program

The Graduate Writing Center offers a program to support graduate students who are working on master's theses (or other master's capstone projects) and doctoral qualifying papers. The program provides workshops and one-on-one writing appointments. For more information, read Master's Thesis Mentoring Program .

Spring Break Writing Retreats

The Graduate Writing Center offers writing retreats for graduate students who are working on master's theses, dissertation proposals, dissertations, and other writing projects. These programs are usually offered in spring break and summer. Retreats are open to all graduate and professional students. For more information and registration instructions for spring break writing retreats, scroll to the bottom of this web page and click on the relevant program. For programs offered during to the summer, go to the summer boot camp and thesis retreat page.

Summer Dissertation Boot Camps and Thesis Retreats

The Graduate Writing Center holds a number of programs during the summer to help graduate students who are at the dissertation and dissertation proposal stages. We also offer dissertation/thesis retreats during the summer. See our most current summer dissertation boot camp and program offerings for more information.

Spring Break Writing Retreat (All Fields) with Online and In Person Options

This program is for graduate or professional students who are writing large-scale projects like master's theses or capstones, doctoral dissertations or proposals, or manuscripts for publication. The program provides dedicated time to focus on your writing and has online and in-person options. For STEM students, it additionally offers workshops related to scientific writing issues. To read more and register, please see the program description below. Deadline to register is Monday, March 18th.

CLICK HERE for application and program details for spring break writing retreat.

SCHEDULE, March 25th – 27th (in person); March 25th – March 28th (online):

Daily Schedule: 9:00-10:00: Online productivity workshops & discussion 10:00-12:00: Online writing groups or individual work (in person) 12:00-1:00: Lunch break 1:00-2:00: Online Workshops or individual work 2:00-4:00: Online writing groups or individual work (in person)

Morning Online Productivity Workshops (9-10 am) Morning workshops will address project organization, time management, and productivity tips.

Online Writing Group or Individual Work If you are doing the retreat online, you will join online writing groups via Zoom at the designated times. If you are at the in-person location, you may work independently or join the online writing groups via Zoom.

How to Sign Up for the Writing Retreat : Fill out the web form (linked here) by Monday, March 18th . We don't anticipate any capacity issues, but if we have any, we will accept registrants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Morning Productivity Writing Workshops (9-10 am)

Monday, March 25th, 9:00–10:00 AM — Project Organization for Writing In this workshop, we will discuss how to set up an organized system for a large-scale research and writing project, especially the writing components.

Tuesday, March 26th, 9:00–10:00 AM—Time Management and Productivity Tips for Writing In this workshop, we will discuss effective strategies for time management, goal setting, and productivity when conducting large-scale research and writing projects, especially for the writing components.

Wednesday, March 27th, 9:00–10:00 AM — Demos of Tools Writing consultants will demo a couple of organizational tools and how they use these tools to support writing.

Afternoon Scientific Writing Workshops (1-2 pm)

Monday, March 25th, 1:00–2:00 PM — Strategies for Writing Effective Scientific Papers This workshop will address basic principles for writing scientific papers and offer strategies for avoiding common pitfalls. We will also introduce key points from Joshua Schimel's book Writing Science on developing good narrative structure and clarity to make writing engaging and impactful.

Tuesday, March 26th, 1:00–2:00 PM — Creating Effective Figures and Visual Aids This workshop focuses on strategies for designing effective figures and visual materials. The workshop will also introduce different software packages that can be used to create high-quality figures and offer further resources for learning these programs.

Wednesday, March 27th, 1:00–2:00 PM — Thesis and Dissertation Writing in STEM Fields (Final Stages) This workshop will give an overview of the final components and writing stages of a STEM thesis or dissertation.

Further Resources

Advice for Thesis Writing If you haven’t seen a final thesis or dissertation in your field, we recommend looking one from your department in the ProQuest Dissertation database available through the UCLA Library. This database allows you to search by institution, advisor, and manuscript type (master's thesis versus dissertation).

Optional Reading: Joan Bolker. Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes A Day . 1998. Paul Silvia. How to Write a Lot . 2007.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]

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Academic Writing Groups: 5 Benefits for Researchers

Writing for academia can be a daunting task, not just for early career researchers but also for seasoned experts, which has led to the emergence of academic writing groups. A lack of time, the pressure to publish and the consequent build-up of anxiety often translates into a situation where researchers find themselves struggling to write. A study undertaken in the US some years ago surveyed 40,000 academics and found that 27% had never published in a peer-reviewed journal, 43% had not published an article in a journal in the past two years, and an alarming 26% spent zero time on writing. 1 For those struggling to keep up with their writing, academic writing groups can be an invaluable support system!

What are writing groups?

Academic writing groups provide both early career researchers and faculty members a conducive environment where members can share their writing with others, receive feedback, and gain motivation and accountability for their writing goals. Online writing groups for academics are becoming increasingly popular with universities often encouraging students and faculty to join. Academic writing groups spur members to stay abreast and aware about reading and writing sources through regular interactions and networking. These groups provide a forum for researchers to come together frequently, either physically or online, to discuss theses or dissertations, journal articles, grant writings, and other kinds of academic articles or manuscript writing for publication.

The primary objective of writing groups is to help members to improve their writing skills with constructive criticism. Members of these academic writing groups evaluate and address specific challenges that members could be facing and also acknowledge and applaud progress milestones. In academia today, universities and academic institutions have specific, devoted faculty and PhD writing groups to help research students and scholars achieve their writing goals. While this broadly explains the increasing trend of researchers and scholars joining academic writing groups, let’s look at the specific benefits they offer.

Advantages of academic writing groups

Being part of physical or online writing groups for academics can benefit you in managing uncertainties in your publishing journey and professional growth. Here are 5 ways in which they can support research authors.

1. Providing a social anchor

The process of writing can often be a lonely effort that can be counter-productive and create apprehensions and doubt within the researcher or student. By being part of academic writing groups, you can always be assured to peer support and constructive feedback to your writing process. This can make the task more enjoyable. The constant interaction and exchange of ideas and perspectives imbues members with a sense of motivation.  Moreover, being part of a social support group enthuses them to move ahead with their writing tasks while successfully balancing work and home requirements.

2. Observing a writing schedule

Researchers and students are often constrained for time. They not only have to attend classes but also have to juggle multiple important tasks like reviewing literature, conducting lab experiments, data collection and analysis, along with taking on part-time teaching and attending seminars and conferences. Being a member of an academic writing group can help you reserve and devote specific time to focus only on your writing tasks and get assistance when required.

3. Increasing output and productivity

There is sufficient proof to show that being a member of an academic writing group increases productivity and output levels of members. There has been an increased rate of publications and grant proposals that have been submitted by members as part of writing groups. 2 Members are usually motivated to write more, and the regular writing group meetings and timelines enable them to be consistent with their writing goals.

4. Improving academic writing skills

One of the most beneficial aspects of being a member of an academic writing group is getting answers to any questions and/or doubts that you may have regarding your writing. The sustained process of exchanging information in a writing group means that one receives helpful advice and tips that can elevate the writing process and help you evolve as a better academic writer.

5. Creating a love for writing

Early career researchers, PhD students, and even experts sometimes, lack confidence in their own writing skills, which leads to a sense of fear and apprehension about the writing process. This gets worse when you don’t have English as your first language or when frequent rejections put a halt on your publishing journey. Here, academic writing groups come out as a supportive community, instilling confidence and empowering researchers and students to evolve as competent academic writers.

Making the Most of Your Academic Writing Group Experience

To fully benefit from your academic writing group experience, consider the following tips:

• Set clear goals: Define your research and writing objectives at the outset to ensure that the group’s feedback and discussions align with your aspirations.
• Actively participate: Engage proactively in discussions, provide constructive feedback to others, and share your insights openly.
• Be open to feedback: Embrace feedback with an open mind, as constructive criticism is an integral part of the learning process.
• Respect diverse perspectives: Embrace the diversity within the group and appreciate the array of perspectives and research backgrounds.
• Establish regular meetings: Consistency is key to the success of an academic writing group. Set a regular meeting schedule to maintain momentum and progress.

So, if you are an early career researcher or student, you may want to explore online writing groups for academics. Find out more about the group’s focus and interest, whether it is a PhD writing group, a specific thesis writing group, or a broader academic writing group, make a choice and join. Not only do these groups act as a valuable resource to improve your writing skills, it is also a great way to build and strengthen your professional networks.

References:

• Majumder, K. Why are researchers joining writing groups. Editage Insights, September 2022. https://www.editage.com/insights/why-are-researchers-joining-writing-groups
• Kwan. P.P., Sharp, S., Mason, S., Saetermoe, C.L. Faculty writing groups: The impact of protected writing time and group support, International Journal of Educational Research Open, Volume 2, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijedro.2021.100100

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Try it for free or upgrade to  Paperpal Prime , which unlocks unlimited access to premium features like academic translation, paraphrasing, contextual synonyms, consistency checks and more. It’s like always having a professional academic editor by your side! Go beyond limitations and experience the future of academic writing.  Get Paperpal Prime now at just US$12 a month!

Related Reads:

• 3 Easy Ways for Researchers to Improve Their Academic Vocabulary
• Scientific Writing Style Guides Explained
• Top 5 Ethical Considerations in Research
• How to Find the Right Academic Editor and Proofreading Partner

Palette vs. Pallet vs. Palate: Understanding the Difference

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Harvard Griffin GSAS students conduct innovative research every day—in libraries and archives, research centers, labs, and at fieldwork sites around the world. Communicating that research to an audience is what brings it alive, and writing remains the essential platform through which we share ideas, big and small, with our interlocutors.  

Harvard Griffin GSAS is dedicated to helping students from all disciplines hone their writing and communication skills, as they move from seminar papers to fellowship proposals, articles, dissertation chapters, and everything in between. Articulating complex ideas eloquently, precisely, and confidently is an immense challenge that all academics face. We strive to work with students—on both the individual and group levels—to help them accomplish this feat in their own writing. Ultimately, strong writing and presentational skills are crucial both for completing graduate degrees and achieving professional success in academia and beyond.  

See our menu on the left for details about all of our services. And for a wonderful additional resource, check out Harvard Library's Writing Toolkit , created specifically for graduate students. 

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Notes From a Writer's Desk: From Text to Text

The Fellowships & Writing Center (FWC) recently held two talks as part of our annual April Speaker Series: “The Translator as Reader and Writer”; and “Moving from the Dissertation to the Book.” [...] While these talks might seem to bear little similarity, a common theme emerged: the transformation of one form of text into another.

Notes From a Writer's Desk: Code for Writing

Being well-written is a merit as valid for coding as for writing. Conversely, some writing foibles prompt me to think, “A computer will not be able to understand this!” It occurred to me that coding principles and best practices can actually help to promote more lucid writing. 

Karan and Jiang Awarded Soros Fellowship for New Americans

The merit-based graduate school program, founded 26 years ago, celebrates the achievements and potential of immigrants and children of immigrants across the United States.

Notes From a Writer's Desk: The Genius of a Problem and Solution Framework

Imagine you are writing an article and there is a paragraph that just keeps getting longer and longer despite all your attempts to stop it. What would it look like to pause and think about the paragraph in terms of the problem and solution? 

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Writing groups are one of the best ways to accomplish the extensive writing required at the PhD level, and can make the process easier, more efficient, and more satisfying.

This program brings doctoral students together to create successful, peer-led writing accountability groups. Groups launch with an online orientation. Previous participants have reported tremendous progress on their writing projects, increased motivation to sustain writing despite busy schedules, and support and collegiality among group members.  

We launch PhD writing groups the beginning of each fall semester. The next writing group launch will take place for the Fall 2024 semester. Fill out this interest form to be sent an application.

What Kind of a writing group?

There are many kinds of writing groups.  Some focus on feedback—exchanging their works-in-progress for review. Others gather people from the same field to share knowledge. Others focus on how to write more and better, sharing tips on being a productive writer. Still others, called write-in groups, are a scheduled time to write alongside others and benefit from the accountability and support this provides. Our writing group launch for Fall 2023 facilitates a combination of these last two:  write-in groups framed with brief discussions of goals, accomplishments, and sharing of challenges and tips on writing . Groups will consist of anywhere from 2 to 8 people (dependent on participant schedules) and meet virtually.   

Testimonials from past participants

"Great group of student to be working with."

"The regular, scheduled writing time has been vital as too has being part of a group which offers encouragement and writing advice as needed."

"The accountability of having another person during dedicated writing time helped ensure I did not put off my writing."

"The writing group held me accountable to writing every week. I would prepare for it on the weekends some weeks, so I would have a head start and be able to get into the more intense part of writing rather than trying to figure out what/ how to write during the session. Knowing I had that designated time made me become more organized in the writing process. I'm a REALLY slow writer and I feel like I accomplished a lot, not only in the sessions themselves but also in my preparation for the sessions. I also benefitted from connecting with other doctoral students. It helped me realize you can be a fast writer or a good writer and still struggle with the writing process. My group was very inspiring and I loved hearing about the projects they were working on as well - it was refreshing to step outside my little world and engage with others especially during the pandemic."

"It really helped keep me motivated, keep me writing and it was a huge support to me. My group were wonderful and really kept me positive and on track - and also writing consistently."

Examples of work accomplished during the writing group program

Completed dissertation proposal draft, along with intermittent drafts beforehand with edits. Currently editing proposal to do my in person proposal in June.

Completed data collection for dissertation project, analyzed all the data, and began writing chapter 4.

Chapter 1 revised, Instrument revision completed, Chapter 2 revision started, classwork paper (8 pages) written.

PhD Writing Support

PDPA is pleased to offer a variety of writing support programs for PhDs across the disciplines at BU. These include synchronous and asynchronous resources. See below for descriptions and application requirements for Summer 2024 synchronous writing programs including the Dissertation Writing Group, Accountability Partners, and Dissertation Writing Institute & Intensive. 

For information on writing workshops, visit our Workshops & Events page . Visit the PhD Progression page for badges focused on building writing & communication skills. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our Doctoral Digest newsletter to receive updates about upcoming writing support programs and other events.

2024 Summer Dissertation Writing Retreats

Our 2024 Summer Dissertation Writing Retreats offer doctoral candidates significant, focused writing time in a community of like-minded peers. These four-day programs provide a high level of structure and accountability, and participants should expect to write for four hours each day. Lunch and coffee/tea will be provided, and space is limited.

This summer, we will be offering two Dissertation Writing Retreats:

Monday, May 13 – Thursday, May 16, 10 am – 3 pm daily, CDS 264

Monday, July 29 – Thursday, August 1, 10 am – 3 pm daily, Kilachand 101 (CILSE, 665 Commonwealth Ave) REGISTER

Dissertation Writing Institute

Monday, July 22 – Thursday, July 25, 10 am – 4 pm daily, Kilachand 101 (CILSE, 665 Commonwealth Ave)

A special program for new dissertation writers, our four-day institute will equip you with essential strategies to succeed in the dissertation writing process. Each day, you will attend skill building and professional development workshops facilitated by Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs staff. Workshop topics will include dissertation planning and goal setting for the academic semester. Each day will consist of morning workshops followed by structured time to implement the new strategies you learned and receive peer feedback. In addition, there will be a 30-minute lunch break and shorter breaks throughout the day. REGISTER

Participants must have advanced to candidacy and be actively writing either their dissertation prospectus/proposal or the first chapter of their dissertation.

Dissertation Writing Group

Mondays June 3 – July 15, 10 am – 1 pm, Zoom

Are you looking for structured writing time and a community of like-minded peers where you can make significant progress on your prospectus, dissertation, or other related writing projects? The Dissertation Writing Group (DWG) offers both! Each three-hour session will begin with a brief goal setting exercise followed by focused writing time. At the end of the session, participants will share their progress, reflect on the writing process, and set concrete goals for the coming week. DWG is facilitated by a member of the Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs team who will introduce guided reflections and share effective strategies you can build into your writing routine.

Please plan to arrive a few minutes early to sign in and set up your work station. As a courtesy to your fellow writers, you should also  plan to stay for the duration of the three-hour session ; late arrivals and early departures are disruptive to your fellow participants.  REGISTER

*Note: the summer DWG will be held remotely unless there is a strong preference in the registrations for an in-person group

Write-Togethers

Accountability partners.

Accountability Partners matches you with an interdisciplinary group of three to four other graduate writers for one-hour, weekly writing check-ins. During each meeting, participants will report on their progress over the past week, reflect on challenges they faced, and set goals for the coming week. Groups are also encouraged to maintain a shared daily writing log, and each group will be provided with a private Slack channel where members can share updates and resources throughout the week.

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Posted on Nov 19, 2018

15 of the Best Online Writing Communities for Aspiring Authors

As enjoyable and fulfilling as writing can be, the truth is that it’s often a solitary endeavor. While we might romanticize the focused artist typing away while imaginary worlds and narratives swirl inside their minds — authors know the truth: writing can get lonely. And moreover, when you’re working on a one-person project, it can be hard to remain motivated and accountable. That’s where writing communities come in.

Writing communities are the perfect place to find answers to your writing questions and to discuss the ins and outs of the writing life with people who actually understand what you’re talking about.

So, if you are tired of listening only to the voices in your head, take a look at our list of top online writing communities. (And if you're hungry for more, check out our more exhaustive list of the very best writing websites !)

Top online writing communities

1. absolute write water cooler.

With over 68,000 members, this is a large and highly active community. Here you can find threads on every genre imaginable, as well as discussions about freelance writing , the publishing industry, pop culture, writing prompts and exercises, and much more.

Perfect for: writers who are looking for a large and active community.

2. AgentQuery Connect

While this forum will come in handy for any writer, it’s especially helpful for authors who have already completed their manuscript and are wondering what to do next. The site boasts a wealth of information on publishing topics such as querying agents, self-publishing tips, and book promotion advice.

Perfect for: writers who are looking to connect with agents and learn more about the publishing industry.

3. Camp NaNoWriMo

If you’ve ever wanted to go to a writer’s retreat but can’t afford it just yet, then this site might help scratch your itch. Holding online “camp sessions” in April and July, Camp NaNoWriMo offers a digital space to encourage and empower writers at any point of their career. Here you can work on drafts, revisions, short stories, or any other writing project that involves word-count goals.

Perfect for: writers who can’t wait until November to crack their writing goals .

4. Critique Circle

Feedback should be a vital part of any writer’s process, and this is exactly what Critique Circle offers. This members-only site allows authors to post stories in exchange for feedback on other people’s writing. You can also find storyboarding tools , writing prompts , workshops, name generators , games like hangman, and much more.

Perfect for: writers who want honest feedback on their writing.

5. Chronicles

As the world’s largest Science Fiction and Fantasy online community, Chronicles offers writers the opportunity to get together and discuss the latest books, news, and pop culture in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy world. This is an active community with thousands of threads that include genre-specific challenges, workshops, critiques, and even publishing and industry information.

Perfect for: writers interested in Science Fiction and Fantasy writing.

6. Facebook Groups

If social media is more your style, don't miss the chance to interact with your fellow writers by joining Facebook groups in your own niche. Look for groups with a strict "no self-promotion" rules so that it remains supportive and useful to your writing goals.

There are a lot of groups out there in a variety of topics that range from genre-specific writing tips to traditional and self-publishing industry news. Here are just a few of them:

The Street Team — Reedsy's own book marketing group for self-publishing authors. 10 Minute Novelists — a group for the time-crunched writer. Calls for Submissions  — for writers looking for publication opportunities. Fiction Writers Global — a great resource for information about traditional and self-publishing. Writers Unite! — an active group with plenty of support and motivation for novice and experienced writers alike.

Perfect for: writers who prefer using social media.

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7. Insecure Writer’s Support Group

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Perfect for: writers who have doubts about their writing and are in need of encouragement.

8. The Next Big Writer

This is an international forum where writers can receive feedback on their writing and support on every other part of the creative process from drafting to publishing and marketing. The critiques are often thorough and many come from published authors. Keep in mind that there is a monthly cost associated with the membership, but it might be worth it to be able to bend the ear of published authors.

Perfect for: writers seeking in-depth critiques from an international audience.

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More than just a single writing community, Reddit has countless ‘subreddits’ where writers of all genres, interests, and levels of experience flock. While it may not offer workshops or tools, members can find niche threads that relate to their interests, critique other people’s work, and discover helpful sources of information.

There are so many different subreddits that you can get lost browsing them, but here are a few of the most popular ones:

r/writing — for general writing purposes. r/writingprompts — for user-submitted writing prompts. r/destructivereaders — beware, if you don’t like harsh criticism this may not be the best fit. But if you are willing to endure it, you will come out a better writer at the end. r/worldbuilding — user submitted fiction worlds. r/fantasywriters — for anybody interested in the fantasy genre. r/characterforge — the place to be for character building. r/writerchat — for those interested in talking with fellow writers. r/selfpublish — for anybody interested in self-publishing. r/logophilia — “the love of words and word games,” and that’s exactly what you’ll find here. r/freelanceWriters — for anybody interested in a career in freelance writing . r/books — because reading is just as important as writing if you want to be a successful author.

Perfect for: writers who want niche threads based on a particular interest or need.

10. Scribophile

One of the largest communities in the world, Scribophile offers workshops, tutorials, and critiques for authors in just about any genre imaginable. While it is free to join, only users who pay for a membership get access to all their features.

Perfect for: authors whowant to take part in writing workshops alongside writers of all experience levels.

11. She Writes

With over 30,000 members, this is the largest writing community exclusively for women. Here you can find articles on writing, editing, and marketing for every genre. There are forums tailored to specific needs, like travel writers, writing about trauma, NaNoWriMo, and many other topics.

Perfect for: women writers who want a place to connect and learn from fellow writers.

12. Talentville

If your passion lies in screenwriting, then you’ll want to book a one-way ticket to Talentville. Here you can get feedback on your writing and learn the skills necessary to perfect your screencraft. Plus, you can work on and build your network of contacts: the site is also a frequent stop for industry professionals (like agents, managers, and producers) on the lookout for new talent.

Perfect for: writers whoare interested in screenwriting and networking.

13. Underlined

A writing community by Penguin Random House. While any author can find helpful information on this website, it’s geared more towards younger writers. It has a well-designed platform, quizzes, genre-specific information, the latest news on book releases, Q&As with authors, and even some giveaways and excerpts as perks.

Perfect for: younger writers who are looking for genre-specific information and bookish perks.

14. Writers Helping Writers

This is a free-to-register community where you can find resources for writers, teachers, and editors alike. They offer a vast array of tools to perfect your craft, no matter your level. Their extensive creative library includes webinars, free writing and marketing tools, a thesaurus collection, story maps, idea generators, and more.

Perfect for: writers, editors, and teachers who are looking to build up their writing toolbox.

15. #WritingCommunity

Sometimes, all you need is a hashtag. And indeed, Twitter's own #WritingCommunity is one of the most robust writing collectives on the web. Ask a question, and it'll almost certainly get answered (without a lot of Twitter's trademark snark). The key here is to keep your questions concise, reply often to others, and don't go crazy with other hashtags. The community can tell if you're just thirsty for RTs. Perfect for: writers who are finally ready to use Twitter for good — and not just for procrastinating.

Do you belong to a writing community? Which one is your favorite one? Add yours in the comments below!

13 responses

27/11/2018 – 22:42

Very useful post. Thanks for this. I will be linking to it on my blog.

Dr Jack Edward Effron says:

18/02/2019 – 16:40

You left out taylz.com. It’s truly free. They are not going to give you a rubbish service to make you join their pay site because they have no pay site. Your story can be 8,000 words. They are not going to force you into flash fiction of 3,000 words. One critique out, one critique in: no mucking about with “karma” or critiquing 5+ stories to get one critique. The great new idea whose time has come! And it’s British, not American.

marieseltenrych says:

08/05/2019 – 12:28

Reedsy, thank God you are here! I want to ask a question to other authors or self publishers here: I have been approached by OmniScriptum to publish my books (research) with them. I cannot find much about this company online, so wondered if anyone has published with them recently? Thanks Reedsy in anticipation. Marie

↪️ Reedsy replied:

08/05/2019 – 12:29

Hi Marie! Sounds potentially very shady to me. If you haven't already, check out our post on predatory companies in publishing. One of the rules of thumb is that if a publisher contacts you first, be very wary. I just did 20 seconds worth of Googling and found some people who had a bad experience.

Eunice Brownlee says:

I am a member of illuminate, which is a group designed around supporting women who want to share their stories but don't know how. The majority of us write non-fiction essays and memoirs, but we have a few poets and fiction writers in the mix as well. The overall goal is to support each other, especially through those harder moments of not wanting to write, or not knowing where to start. There are monthly themes and prompts, a weekly exercise inside the Facebook group, and cross-sharing of what we're working on. My favorite feature is the expert review, where you can submit any piece you're working on each month and you'll get quality feedback from one of the editors that manage the group. This group is perfect for anyone who is just getting started writing.

↪️ Brittani B replied:

11/02/2020 – 19:27

I tried the link multiple times both from this page and separately searched and was unable to access the site.

Harry says:

05/06/2019 – 07:51

Personally I think you missed out the best writing community: https://community.jerichowriters.com/ Jericho Writers is a free writing community that writers can safely share thought, make friends, swap work and get advice

Christian says:

08/08/2019 – 12:21

I only recommend Scribophile if you enjoy being coerced into groupthink. If you hope to get meaningful critique that will help you, look elsewhere. The critiques here are mostly SPAG, and it's forbidden to discuss your work on the main forums, except in the broadest, vaguest way.

Randy says:

18/08/2019 – 06:11

I have all my dads writing research and copyrights to 18 different books....all this was before the digital world .... many negatives photos ....every major story from all over the world with his .copyright . These are huge stores and his books are really well written ....what should I do with them .....incredible spy work as well

Ratih says:

27/08/2019 – 03:50

As a new writer this article is really useful for me. Thank you reedsy

Jennifer says:

02/09/2019 – 14:15

Hi guys! Great blog! Just wanted to let you know that we linked to you in a blog on the Peaceful Living Wellness Online Magazine :) It will be published on Friday, September 6th, 2019

↪️ Martin Cavannagh replied:

17/09/2019 – 09:04

Thanks! We appreciate that!

Kaylee Downey says:

14/02/2020 – 19:09

Um...what about Wattpad?

Comments are currently closed.

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Ph.D. is one of the toughest phases anyone can choose to face in their academic life. Coping is an everyday struggle in itself. Many can attest to the fact that the road to that graduate diploma may be long and lonely. You will surely encounter struggles that no one but a fellow Ph.D. student would understand.

The non-completion rate of Ph.D. students worldwide is at a staggering rate. A study revealed that 3 out of 10 full-time Ph.D. students are stuck in graduate school limbo. The can’t seem to move forward from graduate school with doctorate dissertation that, seven years since starting their academic journey, hangs in the balance.

Thankfully, support groups come to the rescue.

Nobody wants to struggle alone, and you do not want that either. Lucky for all Ph.D. students, there are support groups everywhere; we are absolutely sure there is one at your university. But what if you’re not the sociable type? What if conventional group gatherings bring you discomfort? Online support groups are available at your disposal.

Ph.D. is a Lifetime of Research

The world, especially in its current state of affairs, needs scholars and researchers to find solutions for the most minute problems of society. Ph.D. students show they are up to the task.

Among the various doctor’s degrees offered in the United States, two fields were the top choices. Health and law professions make up almost two-thirds of the total graduates in 2015 and 2016 for both on-campus and online Ph.D. graduates. This tells us of the great amount of dedication Ph.D. candidates have for their academic advancement.

Ph.D. means research . It would probably seem like a lifetime of research just to graduate. However complex, frustrating, and expensive, students in their prime still choose to spend their time in academia.

Generally, completion of a Ph.D. research degree requires an original and substantial thesis following a traditional route. It follows a structured program of advanced study and supervised research. Doctorate students admitted to the program must complete all requisite graduate-level coursework. In addition, they must participate in doctoral seminars and symposiums. All these could take three up to seven years (even more) to be successfully completed.

Ph.D. Candidates are free, to a certain degree, to choose their area of study. But they must meet the high academic standard set by the university. Requirements may vary among various universities and colleges. Ultimately, though, all successful candidates will be awarded a title of “Doctor in Philosophy or Ph.D.”. That title is only fitting; after all, you are spending a lifetime fully immersed in research.

Yes, a Ph.D. dissertation is an individual project, but a supervisor closely monitors your progress. Only through cooperation with a supervisor can one truly succeed in grad school. Supervisors are experts in the field and are committed to helping you get through the tedious process .

Thesis defense

Thesis defense : the ultimate hurdle for all Ph.D. candidates. As much as the thesis defense is considered the apex of doctoral study, it is also a time to look back at all those years you spend on your research and realize it has come full circle for you. Your thesis is your intellectual masterpiece. The time will come when you, the apprentice, will be a step closer to being the master. Close collaboration with your supervisor can make a lot of difference. You have to have a healthy and productive relationship with your supervisor because your graduation literally depends on this defense .

As a Ph.D. candidate, you will stand before a panel of academic achievers who are the best in their fields to defend your thesis. It is an inescapable part of the process, and probably the most challenging one of all. Your efforts will be criticized, your hypothesis questioned, and the validity of your results will be put under scrutiny. All you have to do is stand firm and argue . Argue and defend that your research is original, relevant, and new. Besides, nobody knows it better than you do. It goes without saying that you need to prepare for your thesis defense.  Defend it as a knight would defend his honor!

Online Support Groups for You

Having everything to consider and think about, Ph.D. students often live their days anxiously , all stressed out and even depressed. These high-risk behaviors stem from the highly-critical environment in graduate school. A new  survey shows that graduate students are more susceptible to depression and anxiety than the general population. Regardless of the fact that it is no longer a surprise, it is important that we look at it consciously.

The culture of isolation in graduate school is a major cause of this mental health risk. If it goes unchecked, this may lead to a greater problem. When someone finds themselves in an unreasonable situation, it sinks in and becomes a normative behavior . It is an awful reality in the academia – a cost that nobody is willing to pay but pays anyway.

“A general feeling of isolation that can also weigh down graduate students.”

Behind this isolationist, critical and competitive, and sometimes hostile environment, support groups exist with an aim to make the journey easy for Ph.D. students. Support groups bring people together and are ideal for people who have gone through or are going through similar experiences. Graduate school is a breeding ground for support groups. The opportunity to share and learn from other students’ experiences fills the gap and helps in coping. One of the advantages of support groups is that they are meant to keep Ph.D. students from feeling alone or helpless.

When education evolved toward the online platform, online support groups were also formed to welcome Ph.D. students from around the world. Online support groups provide flexible and frequent communication with other support group members. Aside from these obvious benefits, the anonymity in online support groups is very attractive to graduate students.

Ph.D. Dissertation Support Groups

In the process of completing your dissertation? You do not have to go through it alone. Being in a peer support group while finishing your dissertation, helps you improve your writing, your productivity, and your time management. Faster progress means earning your doctorate degree faster.

External insights provided by your peers can bring invaluable contributions to your research. You might develop a new way of writing or come up with an idea that would make the process more bearable for you. You will have an audience to practice presentations and people to go to for help with or brainstorm on your next big idea. A dissertation support group is especially important in maintaining that objective to finish your dissertation and keeping at it. Fellow doctoral students will have to gently but firmly push and support you until you realize that quitting should never be an option.

Michael Kiparsky, a Ph.D. holder himself, suggests that when considering to form a dissertation support group, you should consider the following:

• Limit the size of your group to a maximum of three people
• Choose your co-conspirators carefully
• It does not matter if you study different fields
• Each member of the group should be in approximately the same stage of progress in their dissertation
• Opposites attract
• Meet weekly
• Emphasize output
• Limit your meeting time
• Organize each session

All things considered, gather up your colleagues and form a dissertation support group!

Why Join a Dissertation Support Group?

Dissertation work is challenging in itself. Issues will arise. At some point, you will not have the support you need to survive the day. Burnout is your ultimate enemy . Having a support group solely for your dissertation process gives you the advantage of knowing there are others out there who understand what you are going through and are willing to offer the support you need. The empathetic dynamics at play within the group is welcoming, comfortable, and positive. Swap your negative and overtly competitive crowd for a support group that focuses on helping you make it happen for yourself.

“This group is for you if…”

PhinisheD   is an online forum that welcomes all Ph.D. students from every corner of the world to join the online discussion. The forum provides a place for struggling students to find friendly advice from strangers who are experiencing the same struggles. PhinisheD promises to “provide a non-threatening and supportive online environment for dissertation and thesis writers and others who are struggling in academia.”

The minds behind the forum understand the intellectual and emotional requirements of finishing a doctorate dissertation. Writing is never an easy chore especially in the standards of the academia. Certainly, you can use some camaraderie and fellowship. Although you only talk to the people in the forum through your computer screen, the comfort that it provides is invaluable.

So, PhinisheD is for you if…

• You are sick to death of people asking you “How is your dissertation [or thesis] coming?”
• You have vague fears about finishing but don’t feel you have a safe outlet for discussing whatever it is you seem to be afraid of.
• You’re having organizational problems or blocks and find yourself procrastinating or staring at a blank computer screen for long periods of time.
• You are not getting the kind of support you need — from your university, your employer, your family members, or your friends. 
• Face-to-face support groups offered by your university don’t suit you for whatever reason.
• You’ve experienced and overcome this stagnant state of non-completion and want to help those still struggling.
• You’ve completed your degree and are facing a job search, a heavy teaching load, a daunting research agenda, or the rigors of the tenure track. 

If you think you fit the description, join them today! Registration is free.

Support groups for those who do not like face-to-face interactions. Find your place here.

“We are what we do.”

Meetup is a website available to everyone – it literally knows no borders. It is a membership software which allows its members to schedule events through the platform. The promise of bringing together people with common interests and experiences is a unique service.

Ph.D. Students Meetup  specifically targets doctorate students across the nation and worldwide. Members set up “meet-ups”, an opportunity to connect with other Ph.D. students outside your university but are living within your area. After all, getting together with real people leaves us with real-life experiences on sharing and caring, leading to a powerful support system.

Who knows, you might be able to finish your thesis after a Meetup. Sign up now !

Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics

“Empowering advances in life sciences and health.”

An international, non-profit organization, Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB)  is a bioinformatics research foundation focused in bioinformatics. SIB promises to provide world-class bioinformatics to benefit the world.

SIB shares their learned expertise in the storage, analysis and the dissemination of substantial data in biology. This is possible through collaboration between research institutions and industrial partners. The institute remains as the leader of innovation in the field of bioinformatics.

Ph.D. students from across the globe can access the database through their dynamic portal Expasy . Doctorate degrees in the field of biology, life sciences, chemistry, anatomy will find the perfect online support group in SIB’s portal-database. Open-access data and literature is a Ph.D. goldmine. Join their events near you and feel at home with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics.

PostGradForum

As you navigate through graduate school, sometimes you neglect your very own emotional needs. Emotional support is an important tool for anyone who is going through an important stage in their lives. Ph.D. students, who spend most of their day in isolation are in need of constant emotional support.

PostGradForum  provides an online emotional support for Ph.D. students. you are free to vent out, to rant, or to simply be supported by people who can understand. The kind of support that the forum gives is key to a healthy doctorate life. Aside from that, the forum tackles practically everything that relates to getting a doctorate degree. You can find useful resources on the site. It is a one-stop shop for Ph.D. students.

Register today and see for yourself!

Do not Suffer in Silence

Now that you know that these support groups exist, you no longer need to suffer in silence or alone. There are many people experiencing the same anxiousness, isolation, and existential crisis as you. All you need to do is search for the group that you can connect with.

Yes, joining a new group may be unsettling, especially now that you are a grown adult. But it will get better. You will be acquainted with everyone, and instantly make a connection. Appreciate the benefit of listening and just being present. Although you may not see the people you share a group with, make an effort for them to feel your presence. Mutual support is a foundation of online support group so do your part. If ultimately you decide that it is not a good fit for you, consider another. Find the support group that works well for you and fits your needs and expectations. Believe us, you need it.

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• Can kinesiotaping optimise the results of an exercise-based treatment for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain? (PhD Academy Award)
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• http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7127-6560 Fábio Carlos Lucas de Oliveira 1 , 2
• 1 École de kinésiologie et de loisir , Université de Moncton , Moncton , NB , Canada
• 2 Research Unit in Sport and Physical Activity (CIDAF) , University of Coimbra Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education , Coimbra , Portugal
• Correspondence to Dr Fábio Carlos Lucas de Oliveira, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB, Canada; fclud{at}ulaval.ca

https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-108062

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• Rotator cuff
• Athletic Tape

What did I do?

My PhD project aimed to determine whether kinesiotaping provided additional benefits for treating individuals with rotator cuff-related shoulder pain (RCRSP). To achieve this goal, I investigated (1) the alterations in the rotator cuff (RC) muscle activation, (2) the immediate effects of kinesiotaping on the acromiohumeral distance (AHD) and shoulder proprioception and (3) the effects of kinesiotaping on the symptoms, functional limitations and underlying deficits associated with RCRSP.

Why did I do it?

The application of kinesiotaping has been a popular approach in clinics. However, few studies have investigated its immediate, short-term or isolated effects among individuals with RCRSP. 4 Current evidence has been insufficient to conclude the effectiveness of kinesiotaping in improving pain and function in this population. 5 Therefore, there was a need for high-quality evidence to better guide clinicians on whether to use kinesiotaping for the rehabilitation of individuals with RCRSP.

How did I do it?

First, I conducted a systematic review 6 to synthesise the evidence concerning the electromyographic activation of RC muscles in individuals with RCRSP. This study guided which RC and scapulothoracic muscles should be targeted for treatment and how these muscles should be rehabilitated. Based on this work, I designed a 6-week exercise-based rehabilitation programme as the cornerstone of my PhD project.

To assess underlying deficits, I conducted a cross-sectional study 7 that investigated whether kinesiotaping provides an immediate increase in the AHD (assessed using an ultrasound scanner) and whether the active joint repositioning sense (assessed using inertial measurements unit wireless sensors) was changed in individuals with RCRSP.

Lastly, I conducted a randomised controlled trial 4 (RCT) to identify whether adding kinesiotaping to the treatments would provide a faster and impactful difference to the healing of individuals with RCRSP. Fifty-two (52) individuals with RCRSP were recruited. Participants had at least one positive sign in each category of the following clinical tests 8 : (a) painful arc of movement (flexion and abduction); (b) Neer or Hawkins-Kennedy impingement test and (c) pain during resisted external rotation, abduction or empty can test.

Primary outcome (functional limitations) was assessed using the Disabilities of the Arm (DASH) questionnaire at baseline, week 3, week 6, week 12 and 6 months. Secondary outcomes were evaluated at commencement (baseline) and following the treatment (week 6), which included: pain intensity assessed using the Brief Pain Intensity (BPI), symptoms assessed using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index, pain-free and full range of motion (ROM) (shoulder flexion and abduction) assessed using a universal goniometer, and AHD at rest and 60° of shoulder abduction assessed using an ultrasound scanner.

All participants were evaluated at baseline and randomly divided into experimental or control groups. Both groups received a 6-week rehabilitation programme composed of 10 physiotherapy sessions. Kinesiotaping was added to the treatment of individuals allocated in the experimental group ( figure 1 ). Halfway through treatment (week 3), self-report outcomes (DASH, BPI and WORC) were re-evaluated to assess functional limitations and symptoms. At the end of treatment (week 6), all outcomes were re-evaluated as performed at baseline. Participants received four exercises tailored to individual needs to be performed at home throughout the treatment and during follow-up periods. Self-report outcomes were also re-evaluated 12 weeks and 6 months after the first physiotherapy session to identify continued changes.

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Kinesiotaping technique for rotator cuff-related shoulder pain and underlying deficits. First strip ((1) Y-shape surrounding deltoid muscles), second strip ((2) I-shape in functional correction for multiaxial shoulder instability over the glenohumeral joint, supraspinatus, trapezius and middle deltoid muscles) and third strip ((3) I-shape in mechanical correction for glenohumeral joint).

What did I find?

The systematic review 6 revealed strong evidence that the infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscle activities were not altered during isometric contractions. Moderate evidence indicated that alterations in the RC muscle activities are best observed during dynamic tasks.

The cross-sectional study showed that kinesiotaping induced an increase (p<0.001) in AHD at 60° abduction in individuals with RCRSP, whereas no immediate effect was observed with the proprioception.

The RCT 4 demonstrated that functional limitations, symptoms, ROM and AHD improved in both groups, although adding kinesiotaping did not lead to superior outcomes compared with the exercise-based treatment alone in the mid-term and long term for individuals with RCRSP.

What is the most important clinical impact/practical application?

This PhD project revealed that kinesiotaping is not an essential element for rehabilitating individuals with RCRSP. Individuals who used kinesiotaping did not present with faster or more impactful results than those who did not, evidencing that kinesiotaping did not provide additional benefits for treating individuals with RCRSP in the mid-term and long term. Subsequently, clinicians and healthcare professionals should not expect supplementary gains from kinesiotaping when added to a rehabilitation programme based on sensorimotor exercises for individuals with RCRSP.

Ethics statements

Patient consent for publication.

Consent obtained directly from patient(s).

Ethics approval

This study involves human participants and protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02881021 ) on 25 August 2016. Ethics approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Quebec Rehabilitation Institute (IRDPQ #2016-496) of the Centre Integrated University of Health and Social Services (CIUSSS-CN). Participants gave informed consent to participate in the study before taking part.

• Maenhout AG ,
• Vanderstukken F , et al
• Hébert LJ , et al
• van der Heijden GJ
• de Oliveira FCL ,
• Pairot de Fontenay B ,
• Bouyer LJ , et al
• Saracoglu I ,
• Bouyer LJ ,
• Ager AL , et al
• Michener LA ,
• Walsworth MK ,
• Doukas WC , et al

X @fabiophysio

Contributors FCLO contributed to conception, design and preparation of the procedures. He also conducted the recruitment of participants, data collection, the rehabilitation programme, analyses and data interpretation, and writing.

Funding This work was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). FCLO received a doctoral scholarship from the Brazilian Government through the Science without Borders programme in association with the CAPES Foundation.

Competing interests None declared.

Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Author note This doctoral project was conducted at the Centre interdisciplinaire de recherche en réadaptation et intégration sociale (Cirris), Université Laval, Québec City, Canada.

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