Writing cafés for graduate students

Virtual Writing Cafés are group sessions offered to support graduate students who are actively working on a thesis. Facilitated by a Graduate Writing Specialist, these small, informal cafés provide structured writing time, guided discussion, and opportunities for peer accountability and community building. Each session combines individual writing with evidence-based resources on a range of writing topics, including motivation, revision, and burnout prevention. Sessions are held weekly via Google Meet, with registration capped at 15 participants to encourage meaningful participation and consistent progress.

Service Offerings

  • Virtual group writing sessions
  • Structured writing time
  • Facilitation by a Graduate Writing Specialist
  • Writing strategies and resources
  • Writing wellness and burnout support
  • Feedback and revision discussions
  • Peer accountability and motivation
  • Graduate writing community support

How to Access

Email wlcentre@ualberta.ca to request registration and to receive session information and Google Meet link.

Location

Online

Hours of Operation
September - April: Monday - Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
May - August: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Closed 12 to 1 p.m.

What to Expect

Graduate students are expected to be working on a thesis, attend regularly, participate in conversations, and spend part of each meeting writing. For feedback on writing, please book a writing appointment.

Cost

No charge for service

Special Conditions

  • Must be a current University of Alberta graduate student
  • Must be actively writing a thesis
  • Requires registration
  • Subject to a limit of 15 participants per group
  • Join via Google Meet
  • Encouraged to attend regularly
  • Expected that participants will be prepared to write

Audience: Graduate students

Home Campus: All

Delivery format: Virtual/Phone Meeting

Access: Scheduled Events

Service Provider: Student Success & Experience (SSE)

Language: English