Why, what, who, and how?
Why a Dissertation Writing Boot Camp?
If you would like to set aside time in your busy schedule to re-prioritizing writing your dissertation, or if you could benefit from connecting with a community of fellow dissertation writers after a period of writing alone, then the GCAC‘s Dissertation Boot Camp, from Feb 17th to 19th, 2026 is for you.
The GCAC Dissertation Boot Camp is designed to provide U of T graduate students with uninterrupted time and a distraction-free space to focus solely on your writing. With instructor-led training sessions, you will receive much-needed support and advice to help you progress on your dissertation.
What is a hybrid Dissertation Boot Camp?
The GCAC‘s Dissertation Boot Camp offers structure and guidance for three full days of writing and writing-related activities. You’ll be required to set aside other demands on your time for these three days, giving you the opportunity to make significant progress on your writing. Each day of the camp includes structured blocks of writing time as well as opportunities to learn process-related strategies for building momentum in your writing that will last beyond our virtual time together.
The boot camp will be offered in two formats: in-person and online synchronous. In order to create a consistent community of supportive writers, you will be asked to commit to one of these formats for the full three days. The in-person boot camp will be held on the St. George campus; concurrently, the virtual format will be conducted synchronously over Zoom.
Each day will run from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM (optional to 5 PM) and will feature a schedule that includes instructor presentations, at least four-and-a-half hours of uninterrupted writing time, and group discussions (to be conducted in Zoom rooms for those attending virtually).
Who is eligible to enrol in the Dissertation Boot Camp?
In order to sign up for the Dissertation Boot Camp, you must meet the following conditions:
- You are actively engaged in writing a doctoral dissertation in any department at U of T; the dissertation boot camp is not open to Master’s students.
- You are finished with course work, qualifying exams, and primary research and / or data collection; the boot camp is designed for writing, not further reading and research.
How will the Dissertation Boot Camp work?
he boot camp will be held in-person at the St. George Campus and concurrently cast over Zoom on three consecutive days (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, February 17, 18, and 19, 2026) from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM ET (optional to 5PM) each day.
- For in-person participants: Each in-person participant is asked to pay $20 (twenty dollars) to defray the cost of coffee/tea and fruit (lunch excluded). Please bring the cash with you on the first day. In-person enrolment is limited to 20 PhD candidates, and priority will be given to eligible participants who have not attended a GCAC boot camp in the past two years.
- For virtual participants: There is no cost for virtual attendance. Virtual enrolment is limited to 25 PhD candidates, and priority will be given to eligible applicants who have not attended a GCAC boot camp in the past two years.
Applications for all participants (in-person and online) are due by Feb 6, and confirmations will be sent by end-of-day Feb 10.
Writing in the company of others can be an excellent way to stay focused and combat isolation. Join the GCAC’s Dissertation Boot Camp to discover the benefits of developing your dissertation-writing practice in an intentional, informed, and socially engaged way.
Registration
Click here to apply: https://forms.office.com/r/TnvjnbCJs5
Questions about the Dissertation Boot Camp should be sent to Dr. Jordana Lobo-Pires: jordana.lobo.pires@utoronto.ca.
In order to participate, you must be available to attend either in-person or online for the full three days, without exception.
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