08/13/2026
Another Summer ‘26 dispatch from FGS! Professor Heidi R. Lewis hosted a hugely successful writing retreat titled “Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Proposal?”. Here’s more about it in her own words, “Upon approaching then becoming a Full Professor just over two years ago, I began thinking about ways to leverage that power and privilege in service to folks we often refer to as “junior” scholars.
One opportunity to realize that vision came when I was named Series Editor for Expanding Frontiers, a University of Nebraska Press book series. I accepted that role because we focus on encouraging, supporting, and mentoring first-time BIPoC and LGBTQIA+ scholars especially by demystifying the publishing process and helping them develop proposals.
Shortly after, I decided to deepen those commitments by inaugurating Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Proposal?: Two Intensive Academic Writing Retreats with Dr. Heidi R. Lewis. Through writing workshops, independent writing blocks, accountability partnerships, and a 1:1 meeting with me, these retreats support scholars developing academic book proposals in Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and kin disciplines like Black Studies and Disability Studies.
The inaugural in-person retreat I hosted this summer was not without struggle, but it was undeniably phenomenal. We collectively learned and grew in ways I both did and did not anticipate. I couldn’t agree more with participant Dr. Samina Gul Ali, who noted, “This experience will hold a special place in my heart for a long time!”
I’m really looking forward to the inaugural virtual retreat this coming spring and the second annual in-person retreat next summer. Folks interested in applying should visit my website, www.heidirlewis.com, for more information.”
