University of Pittsburgh 14-Day Writing Challenge
The University of Pittsburgh partnered with NCFDD to host its inaugural private 14-Day Writing Challenge February 3-16, 2025.
The Faculty Advancement and Leadership team in the Office of the Provost partnered with NCFDD to host its second 14-Day Writing Challenge October 13-26, 2025.
The 14-day challenge initiative is open and free, exclusive to the University of Pittsburgh, and meant to foster a vibrant community of scholarship by inspiring faculty members, graduate students, and postdocs at all career stages.
Along with a goal of increasing publications, reducing writing barriers, and creating accountability, we seek to build relationships and encourage collaboration during the challenge. We also aim to support faculty and career development and create an engaging, supportive environment for academic writing—while also having fun!
Fall 2025 Challenge
By the Numbers
- 50% of the registrants actively participated in the challenge
- Total number of participant check-ins: 367
- Total number of participants who checked in 5+ times: 37
- Average check-ins per participant: 6
- Total minutes written: 21,572
- Average minutes written per participant: 354
- 63% of participants were faculty
- 20% were graduate or postdocs
- 49% of participants were in the Provost Area Schools
- 36% were in the Schools of the Health Sciences
Event Dates
Kickoff Event
- October 7, 2025, noon–1:30 p.m.
- The Kickoff Event introduces participants to the writing challenge and its alignment with faculty development.
- Only registered writing challenge participants are invited to the kickoff event.
14-Day-Writing Challenge
- Start Date: October 13, 2025
- End Date: October 26, 2025
Closing Celebration Event
- October 30, 2025
Inaugural Spring 2025 Challenge Recap
The February 14-day writing challenge was anchored by a kickoff event on January 23, 2025, and a closing event on February 20, 2025.
Activity included:
- Total Registrants: 244
- Participants Who Checked in at Least Once: 132
- Participants Who Checked in 5+ Times: 79
- Total Check-ins: 800
- Average Check-ins per Participant: 6.1
- Total Minutes Written: 43,969
- Average Minutes Written per Participant: 333
- Discipline Represented:
- Health Sciences (48)
- Social Sciences (35)
- Arts and Humanities (27)
- Education (14)
- Math/Engineering/Tech (10)
- Physical Sciences (3)
- Business/Law (5)
- Undisclosed (102)
- Participants included faculty, graduate students, post-docs, and administrative staff
Important Dates
Kickoff Event:
Thursday, January 23, 2025, noon–1 p.m.
Only registered writing challenge participants are invited to the kickoff event.
The Kickoff Event introduced participants to the writing challenge and its alignment with faculty development.
Attendees completed a SMART Goals Worksheet, helping them establish specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound writing goals to track their progress throughout the challenge.
14-Day Writing Challenge:
Start Date: Monday, February 3, 2025
End Date: Friday, February 16, 2025
Closing Celebration Event:
Thursday, February 20, 2025, noon–1 p.m.
Closing Event agenda highlights included:
- Reflection on SMART Goals: Participants revisited their initial goals, discussing accomplishments and challenges.
- Testimonials: Attendees shared personal writing progress and experiences.
- Six-Word Writing Affirmation Exercise: Participants crafted short affirmations to reinforce their writing commitment.
- Polling & Reflection Exercise: Participants provided feedback on writing habits, preferences, and group dynamics.
This program is offered in partnership with:
