Academic Writing Retreats
In a competitive world, researchers are under increasing pressure to publish as a way to sustain their careers. However, competing priorities mean that carving out time to write can be difficult. Writing is also one of the things we tend to procrastinate on. That’s why we’ve decided to offer a nurturing, distraction-free space for writers to move their writing projects forward.
Overview
Our structured writing retreats are based on Professor Rowena Murray’s programme (Murray and Newton, 2009).
To get the most out of the retreat, we ask participants to have all their notes and outlines ready so they ready to write. Distractions are kept to a minimum as phones are switched to flight mode and notifications are switched off on laptops.
Participants sit together around a large table and write in blocks of time interspersed with coffee breaks and pauses for reflection. Writing developers are on hand to facilitate the retreat and to offer support with any writing related questions. Coffee, tea, snacks and lunch are provided so participants can focus solely on their writing.
Research shows that writing retreats not only increase productivity but they also have important psychosocial benefits (McGrail, Rickard & Jones, 2006).
Contact us today and learn more about our one and two-day writing retreats.
To get the most out of the retreat, we ask participants to have all their notes and outlines ready so they ready to write. Distractions are kept to a minimum as phones are switched to flight mode and notifications are switched off on laptops.
Participants sit together around a large table and write in blocks of time interspersed with coffee breaks and pauses for reflection. Writing developers are on hand to facilitate the retreat and to offer support with any writing related questions. Coffee, tea, snacks and lunch are provided so participants can focus solely on their writing.
Research shows that writing retreats not only increase productivity but they also have important psychosocial benefits (McGrail, Rickard & Jones, 2006).
Contact us today and learn more about our one and two-day writing retreats.
WRITING RETREAT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOSCIENCES (UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE)
We ran our first one-day retreat in January 2022 in a room off a quiet courtyard in Cologne.
Six writers gathered together to discuss their writing projects and, of course, to write. The group set goals in the morning and reviewed their progress during the day. Tea, coffee, water and healthy snacks were on hand. As we didn’t want the writers to have anything to think about other than writing, we organised lunch. We ate together as we chatted about our various projects. Not everyone had met before, so it was great to see connections being made, and more experienced researchers helping those that were new in the department and new to Germany.
At the end of the retreat, everyone reported that they had made good progress with their writing, and they would recommend the retreat to a colleague. We look forward to welcoming more of you to our writing retreats throughout 2022.
Six writers gathered together to discuss their writing projects and, of course, to write. The group set goals in the morning and reviewed their progress during the day. Tea, coffee, water and healthy snacks were on hand. As we didn’t want the writers to have anything to think about other than writing, we organised lunch. We ate together as we chatted about our various projects. Not everyone had met before, so it was great to see connections being made, and more experienced researchers helping those that were new in the department and new to Germany.
At the end of the retreat, everyone reported that they had made good progress with their writing, and they would recommend the retreat to a colleague. We look forward to welcoming more of you to our writing retreats throughout 2022.
T E S T I M O N I A L S
I’ve made a lot of progress with my writing goals today.
Definitely, it was very productive for me to focus and concentrate. Especially the working surrounding & offered snacks and food have been great!
It was a great experience.
Workshop Participants | Department of Geosciences (University of Cologne) | Germany