ESPO Dissertation Writing Group and Pre-Proposal Writing Group Application/Interest Form

Spring Session 2025

Join an exclusive GSA ESPO members-only peer-led pre-poposal or dissertation writing group (DWG/PPWG) for a supportive environment in which to exchange critical feedback, push past procrastination, and stay accountable to your goals.

Each small group (3 to 6 members) will meet virtually every other week for 1 to 1.5 hours (based on the number of participants in the group). Semester-long commitment requested.

Here are some things you will do as part of the group:

Create a writing schedule with measurable goals.
Report on goals each session to stay accountable.
Provide your writing for review and contribute feedback on group members’ writing.
Support each other through the sharing of resources and ideas.
Troubleshoot challenges.

Eligibility

You must maintain valid ESPO membership throughout the semester-long writing group.
You can be anywhere in your dissertation process through your (pre-) proposal or defense, but you must at least be at the writing stage.
Meetings and writing samples must be in English.
You must commit to participate in the group for the full semester term.
You must agree to and sign a statement to ensure confidentiality of other group members’ work/ideas.

Session
12-week Fall Session runs from 1/28/25 - 4/27/25

Application Deadline
January 6, 2025 at midnight ET for the Spring Session

Questions?
Contact espo@geron.org

Section 1: Your Information

First Name *

Preferred Name

Last Name *

Street Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State

Country *

Zip Code *

Phone Number *

Email Address *

Name of Degree-Granting Institution: *

Expected Date of Degree Completion: * +

Department/Program: *

Please indicate your current membership status in The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) as a member of Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization (ESPO). * 🛈

Which member section of GSA do you belong to? * 🛈

Section 2: Your Thesis

Please select your reasons for wanting to participate in the DWG/PPWG (check all that apply): *

Writing support (feedback, editing, etc.)

Productivity (goal setting, timeline, accountability, procrastination, motivation)

Personal support (social support, venting, challenges with committee, etc.)

Other; please explain: Other; please explain:

What do you hope to gain from the experience of participating in a Writing Group? *

0/500 words

Would you like to join the Pre-Proposal Writing Group or the Dissertation Writing Group? (select only one) *

Pre-Proposal Writing Group

Dissertation Writing Group

Are you a returning DWG/PPWG participant? *

Yes

No

You may sign up for an ongoing group to continue the work from the previous semester. Indicate your preference. *

I would like to continue in current group.

I would like to join a different group.

Please describe your current status regarding the writing of your dissertation/thesis: *

Please explain why you selected other. *

Select which group you would like to join for virtual meetings approximately 1-1.5 hours every two weeks.
Groups will have a maximum of eight partipcants. You can select up to 3 options.
Please respond according to Eastern Time zone. *

Wednesdays 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT

Thursdays 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT*(potentially 12:00 or 12:30pm ET)

Fridays 3:30 pm ET/12:30 pm PT

Saturdays 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT Saturdays 1:00 pm ET/10:00 am PT

A successful DWG/PPWG experience will depend upon the willingness of participants to uphold deadlines and share writing samples as scheduled.
Are you willing to commit to meeting deadlines as determined with your group members and remain in the group for the full term? *

Yes

No

Step 3: Non-disclosure Agreement

For your protection, all participants are required to sign a non-disclosure agreement to ensure that intellectual property and scientific ideas are not shared outside the DWG.

Your success, the success of other DWG members and of the program relies upon the commitment of each member to meet the weekly objectives and participate for the full semester. This participation agreement lays out what is expected of you through this process.

All applicants must review, sign, and return the Non-Disclosure Agreement and the ESPO DWG Participant Agreement form found HERE.

Upload the completed non-disclosure agreement. Give the file your first and last name. *

Be sure to click Submit in order to receive a confirmation that your information has been submitted.