Join writers, researchers, and scholars on July 16-19, 2024, on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University for the AFA Oracle Research Writers’ Retreat. Click here to access registration within FSCentral.
AFA and the Journal believe that strong fraternity/sorority research has a dramatic impact on defining successful practice of the fraternity/sorority profession. The AFA JSFLRP Writers’ Retreat is designed to bring together scholars and scholar-practitioners in community with the goal of advancing research in the fraternity/sorority experience. Attendees will connect with other fraternity/sorority researchers and strengthen their writing through intentionally-designed writing sessions, all under the access and support of the Research 1 VCU libraries.
What Attendees Should Expect…
Writers’ Retreat attendees will spend scheduled writing time (both as individuals and in groups) working on their own theses, dissertations, and other publications while accessing the resources of the Cabell Library at VCU. Attendees will spend time in community exploring where critical opportunities exist to use research to strengthen the fraternity/sorority experience and the work of the fraternity/sorority profession. Attendees will also spend their evenings exploring and enjoying the local food, drink, and culture of Richmond, VA!
Who Should Attend?
- Master’s and doctoral students looking to make progress on theses and dissertatons;
- Newly-minted master’s and doctoral graduates looking to expand and publish their research;
- Researchers currently working to build out or make progress on current research projects;
- Scholars and scholar-practicioners looking to build community with others around research-driven solutions to our most pressing problems;
- ANYONE with an interest in driving forward meaningful research that contributes to our understanding of the fraternity/sorority experience.
What our Attendees are Saying…
“Attending the AFA/Oracle Writers’ Retreat gave me a massive advantage in completing an academic journal article and producing general content. The retreat provided dedicated time to work solo and the ability to crowdsource ideas with other attendees. If you are working on written content and having trouble motivating yourself to finish, this retreat is for you.”
— Kate Steiner West, Ph.D., LIFT Wellness Consulting, 2018 & 2019 Writers’ Retreat Attendee
“The AFA Oracle Writers’ Retreat pushed me to consider the broader connections of sororities and fraternities in how they contribute to the university experience. This helped me better understand my own positionalities as a scholar-practitioner in how my research is influenced by own personal and professional past experiences. The connections I made with others also led to additional publications and collaborations with others within the profession.”
— Pietro Sasso, Ph.D., Stephen F. Austin State University, 2019 Writers’ Retreat Attendee
“The Writers’ Retreat was a meaningful space for me as a doc student in the process of chapters 1-3. It gave me focused time to delve into the feedback from my committee and helped me make strides towards completion. It was also encouraging to be surrounded by others who were very supportive of the process.”
— Kara Miller McCarty, Ph.D, Cornell University, 2019 Writers’ Retreat Attendee
Tentative Schedule
The final schedule is in development. However, interested attendees may access the draft schedule here.
For Additional Information
Interested attendees looking for additional information may email the Association at info@afa1976.org.
