Apply to dive into the 2025 Lake Shift writing retreat!
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA) is excited to sponsor four doctoral students to attend the 2025 Lake Shift writing retreat, offering a unique opportunity to focus on thesis writing and connect with fellow PhD students.
Running from July 6 to 11, 2025, the Lake Shift is a writing retreat for doctoral students from Ontario universities, hosted by Queen’s University. The retreat takes place at the Queen’s University Biological Station on Lake Opinicon—approximately 50 minutes north of Kingston.
During the retreat, participants will:
- Have dedicated, structured writing time
- Attend workshops on effective dissertation writing
- Network with other doctoral students
- Enjoy the peaceful lakeside setting
The Lake Shift aims to help doctoral students make substantial progress on their dissertations and develop strategies to maintain momentum after the retreat. When not writing, attendees can enjoy lakeside activities like swimming, canoeing, hiking, and evening campfire conversations.
In 2024, GSPA sent three doctoral students to Lake Shift. Natalie, one of the 2024 attendees, thoroughly enjoyed her Lake Shift experience. “Lake Shift exceeded my expectations for a writing retreat! It was an awe-inspiring experience to be surrounded by such a diverse group of people spanning academic disciplines and life experiences. Walking through the firefly-lit woods, chatting at late-night campfires, and canoeing/swimming with new friends made the experience truly unforgettable.”
Fatima, another 2024 attendee, said the retreat helped her make meaningful progress on her thesis. “It turned out that all I needed to figure this chapter out was uninterrupted thinking and writing time. I also attended three writing consultations at Lake Shift, which helped me figure out how best I wanted to present this information.”
Applications for the 2025 Lake Shift are open until May 12, 2025. GSPA will cover half of the $700 registration fee ($350 plus HST). To confirm their spot, successful applicants must pay the remaining $350 (plus HST) directly to GSPA by May 26, 2025.