HGGS Academic Writing Retreat 2026
The HGGS is now planning a new version of the highly-praised Academic Writing Retreat that Dr. Cristian Camilo Cuervo first led in 2025. This year, 14 members of our graduate school can join the retreat in the picturesque village of Dilsberg, overlooking the Neckar Valley. You can experience 3 ½ days of coach-led writing activities that will help you to advance with your thesis and article writing.
Writing Retreat Activities:
The retreat focuses on academic writing and creates a space for sharing ideas and partial results in small peer groups. The sessions include activities, recommendations, and discussions, as well as time for the participants to work on their individual projects and receive feedback. The thematic focus of each session varies, and the dynamics between sessions are flexible. There will be some cultural activities, such as a guided tour of the village at night and a walk or two in the autumnal hills around Dilsberg, but the main focus will lie on the progression of your own writing.
Course leader:
Dr. Cristian Camilo Cuervo completed his PhD in English literature at Heidelberg University. He is an experienced writing coach and teacher as he has previously led workshops, seminars and other projects in Heidelberg and Bogota. He has over 1,000 certified hours of university teaching experience, as well as several years of professional experience in community and adult education. Dr. Cuervo also has been on several editorial teams for articles and books in Germany and abroad. The book that is based on his doctoral thesis was published in September 2025, thus allowing him to give valuable practical advice for all steps leading to the successful completion and publication of a doctoral thesis. He has also recently edited, designed and published a collection of creative writing for the HGGS.
Travel dates:
- Departure from Heidelberg: Thursday, 12th of November 2026 at 12:30.
- Return to Heidelberg: Sunday, 15th of November 2026 by 12 noon. The precise return time will be confirmed later.
- HGGS members need to participate in the full programme to be covered by the HGGS; an early departure is not foreseen.
- If less than ten members sign up for the retreat in November 2026, the HGGS reserves the right to publish a new call with later dates.
Accommodation:
The retreat will take place at the Youth Hostel Dilsberg.
Cost:
The HGGS will cover the cost of the retreat, including meals at the hostel. Participants need to use their Deutschlandticket or pay their own tickets for the public bus from Heidelberg to Dilsberg, which will cost around 6 Euros each way.
Registration:
There are 14 available spaces. If you are interested in participating, we need a binding confirmation by 16th September 2026. Registration will take place first-come, first-served. Please email the signed and dated form (below) to Dr. Astrid Wind.
Members who participated last year in the Academic Writing Retreat can also sign up (longlist) and take a space in case there are any left after the given deadline.
Impressions of the HGGS Writing Retreat in 2025:
“I liked the content and structure of the writing workshop a lot. The motivation questions, the tips on how to write cohesively and coherently, along with the other points addressed, and the exercises we had to complete were extremely helpful in reminding me, at least, of how to write better and why I chose to do a PhD in the first place.”
“I really enjoyed the very practical advice we were given. They made the thesis-writing process seem less daunting and a more manageable task.”
“I enjoyed meeting new people who share the same level of commitment as I do. It was inspiring to exchange experiences and learn how working on a dissertation varies across different disciplines. I also found the writing workshop both informative and motivating.”
About the questions whether they would recommend this workshop, participants wrote:
“I would recommend it with all my heart mostly because of the great chance it offers to meet other colleagues, make new friends, and make the PhD experience less lonely and boring.”
“Yes. I had an amazing experience at the retreat. Other than what is already mentioned above, I enjoyed the fact that we got time to spend together with other peers. A Phd is often an individual journey; there are only a few chances to meet other colleagues. The interaction was so good. Both as a social experience and also as a PhD candidate- to see and learn and share- motivations, working style, struggles, wins, and work.”
“I would definitely recommend it, as it fosters a sense of support within the PhD community, motivates participants, and provides valuable guidance for writing.”
Images of the Academic Writing Retreat 2025
