Summer 2025 Residential Writing Retreat
Summer Residential Writing Retreat for Doctoral Researchers
Monday 14th July to Wednesday 16th July 2025
VENUE: The Abbey, Sutton Courtney, The Green, Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire OX14 4AF
APPLICATION DEADLINE: To be confirmed
APPLICATION FORM LINK: To be confirmed
What does a writing retreat involve?
The structured writing retreats are designed to provide the opportunities to write and work on outputs, in an optimal environment. The writing model is based on the structured-writing retreat format (Murray and Newton, 2009). The aim of the programme is very much to provide and enforce research/writing time, in a relaxed, supportive, and peaceful group environment. Desks are well spaced out, while writing together, during prescribed timeslots.
While it is a non-surveillance environment with regards to what you do, there are some rules. The first is that you are sitting down and ready to write at the start of each session. The second is that mobile phones are put away out of sight (and sound), and you DO NOT check email or use the internet during the writing sessions (we would recommend no Internet for complete immersion). Research has shown that the retreats are most productive if relevant article searching and downloading has been done in advance. The final rule is that research work/writing is carried out in silence (or with headphones that do not produce sound that could disturb other writers).
This writing retreat will be run by Dr Alison Eardley and Dr Tina Cartwright who are both based in the School of Social Sciences and are trained writing retreat facilitators. The retreats are designed to provide a restful and relaxing space to write, meet new colleagues and talk about research. We all write together in a dedicated room during specific timed sessions, and we also take breaks at specific times. Part of the programme will involve (optional) pre-lunch walks (bring waterproofs and shoes you don’t mind getting muddy in case of rain), and (optional) yoga sessions at the end of the writing day (further information will be sent out about this at a later date). Yoga is led by Tina, who is a qualified yoga instructor.
The Venue
All food at the Abbey is vegetarian (and delicious). They do not sell alcohol, but they have said that if people want to bring alcohol for the evening, that is permitted. There is a living room in the Garden Lodge (where some of the bedrooms are located), which is 20 metres from the main building. There is also a pub a short walk from the Abbey. The accommodation is in basic – single rooms (with shared toilet and shower facilities). PhD researchers will be spread out, so as to reduce the number sharing toilet and shower facilities. All PhD researchers will need to claim back travel costs from the Graduate School (there is parking onsite for anyone wishing to drive).
Location
Trains from London Paddington to Didcot run every half an hour.
The Abbey is only accessible by taxi from Didcot. If you are interested, we will organise a taxi share.
Travel Costs
Retreat places are funded but attendees will need to claim back travel costs from the your staff development after the Retreat, or pay for your train ticket through key travel (there is free parking onsite for anyone wishing to drive).
Allocation of Places
There is an application process. There are 12 places available. We will have a waiting list, in case of last-minute cancellations. Whatever the stage of your PhD, please do feel free to apply.
Priority will be given to people who feel that the retreat will impact positively on their PhD writing and on their wellbeing, so please do consider applying, whatever the stage of your research project. We do prioritise people in their final year/writing up period, and we take into account whether or not people have applied previously and have not been offered a place.
The application form will help the Graduate School to allocate places. The questions they will focus on will be (in order of importance):
- a) How the retreat will benefit your wellbeing
b) What piece of PhD writing you want to work on and why
c) How the opportunity will benefit your PhD journey.
Summer Retreat Timetable
Day 1: Monday 14th July 2025
10.00am arrive, set up, grab a drink, sitting down ready to start
10.20am – Start: Introductions and Writing session 1
11.45pm – Break
12.00pm – Writing session 2
1.00 pm – Lunch
2.00pm – Writing session 3
3.30pm – Break
4.00pm – 5.30pm Writing session 4
5.45-6.45pm – Optional yoga
7pm – Dinner
Day 2: Tuesday 15th July 2025
7.45-8.20am – Breakfast (arrive when you choose but make sure you are at your desk ready to write at 8.30am)
8.30am – Writing session 1
10.15am – Break
10.45am – Writing session 2
12pm – Walk (optional)
1pm – Lunch
2pm – Writing session 3
3.30pm – tea break
4.00pm – 5.30pm Writing session 4
5.45pm – Optional Yoga
7pm Dinner
Day 3: Wednesday 16th July 2025
7.45-8.20am – Breakfast
8.30am – Writing session 1
10.15am – Break
10.45am – Writing session 2
12pm – Optional Walk
1pm – Lunch
2pm – Writing session 3
3.30pm – End of retreat roundup
4pm – End of retreat/taxis to the station