Scholarly Writing Accountability Group (SWAG)--Summer 2025
Do you need help developing a scholarly writing habit? Join a CARTI SWAG!
CARTI SWAGs are online peer-led writing groups for UMB faculty members. Each SWAG meets for 1 hour weekly over several weeks (10 is the standard, but sometimes we offer shorter SWAGs depending on time of year).
Each SWAG is limited to eight participants and follows a structured agenda:
- 5 minutes of updates and goal setting
- 40 minutes of individual writing
- 15 minutes of wrap-up
Participants MUST commit to attending the majority of scheduled sessions.
CARTI SWAGs are based on WAG Your Work Bootcamp for Increasing Scholarly Productivity, which focuses on the process of writing, not the content; SWAGs do not involve any review of writing. The concept has helped academics overcome common barriers to scholarly writing, increase writing regularity, decrease writing duration, and develop sustainable writing habits. 
NEW for SUMMER 2025: Grant writing-focused SWAGs
We are currently assembling K- and R-grant focused SWAGs for Summer 2025! Summer 2025 grant writing SWAGs will run July 14 through August 25 and offer:
- A structured SWAG agenda
- Dedicated weekly time to writing your grant application
- Q&A opportunities with Marey Shriver or Christy Chang, leaders of CARTI's grant writing classes
- Opportunities to discuss challenges with peers
Register for summer grant writing SWAGs by June 16th and please include which type of grant you're writing, K or R.
Ongoing, traditional SWAGs: Summer and Fall dates coming soon!
We continue to organize traditional SWAGs, which are open to anyone doing any type of scholarly writing, and are not limited to grant applications. New SWAG sessions will be scheduled based on interest and availability. If you are interested in participating in a traditional SWAG to help build a writing habit, please register any time and we will be in touch with options.
Now accepting registration for Summer 2025:
- Wednesdays 10-11am (June 18 – July 16)
- Wednesdays 1-2pm (June 25 – July 23 )
- Thursdays 3-4pm (July 10 - Aug 7)
“The encouragement and camaraderie from my peers has helped me be a more productive researcher.“ --Wendy G. Lane, MD, MPH
“SWAG is an amazing program that keeps you motivated and helps you become a more self-disciplined writer!” --Yan Wang, BM, DrPH
“SWAG has been an amazing motivator. Thank you to everyone for being so supportive. I just can’t say enough good things about this program . . .” --Samer S. El-Kamary, MB, ChB, MPH
“My group has been very supportive, especially in the weeks when it’s just not going well with the writing, and the weekly meetings have helped me regain focus on what needs to be written.” --Katharina Richard, PhD