This online course is run by the Researcher Academy

The Researcher Academy courses are very popular and the majority are run in both semesters to give you the opportunity to attend at a time of the year that suits you. 

Target Audience: Research-only staff (i.e Research Assistants/Associates, ‘Postdocs’, Research Fellows, Fellows, Senior Research Fellows and Principal Research Fellows) and Assistant Professors who are within 24 months of their appointment. 

This retreat is for staff only and therefore this retreat is NOT open to postgraduate research students, who can attend the PGR Writing Retreat.

Course Description:

Do you have a writing project to start or complete but you are struggling to find the dedicated time that is required for academic writing? 

This three day writing retreat for research staff is the perfect opportunity to escape your busy office, lab and any other distractions to focus 100% on completing your writing. You choose what writing project you will focus on during the retreat it can be anything that you need to make progress on, from grant proposal to manuscript or a report.

The retreat will take place over three days and there will be dedicated space for you to find peace and quiet to focus on your writing project. You can attend the retreat irrespective of the current stage of the writing project; idea generation, planning, writing, editing, proofing, rewriting.  The only requirement is that you have a clear aim and goal(s) for the Retreat.

The main purpose of this retreat is to provide a low distraction environment for you to work in. However, three days of full writing would be tough for even the most motivated. Hence there will be additional space for active procrastination and tools to support you in your least productive concentration periods.

When you register for the event, you will be sent a short questionnaire to identify what your objectives are for the Retreat. Please complete this as matter of priority, until this is received your place will remain provisional. The responses gathered from the participant questionnaires will, wherever possible, be used to tailor the retreat programme and will not be used by the Researcher Academy for any other purpose than the administration and organisation of the Retreat.

Process:

A writing-intensive environment. Desk space will be provided for researchers to dedicate three days of their time to a writing task of their choosing. Several rooms will be provided offering a different working environment.  Coaching conversations will be available during the Retreat to support participants, who are feeling stuck in their writing or wish to soundboard ideas.

Refreshments will be provided, but you should plan to bring your own lunch and snacks. The space used for the Retreat has a fridge, microwave and kettle.

Your commitment

Ideally, by registering for the retreat you are committing to attend for the full three working days. However, if there is a portion of this time where you would be unavailable but still wish to attend please email the retreat organiser (victoria.sedman@nottingham.ac.uk) before booking your place to discuss.

Participants should bring all their own resources for writing. Unfortunately, laptops/laptop docks/spare monitors will not be supplied. There are a limited number networked PCs available. Wifi and power sockets available in the writing spaces. Flip chart paper, post it notes, whiteboards available.

Course Accessibility

The following table shows a summary of what is needed to participate in the course. 

If you feel you will experience any difficulties participating, please let us know via the ‘special requirements’ tab, providing as much information as possible. The special requirements tab can be completed when you book your place. Alternatively, you can contact us directly at ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk.

Access and/or complete self-study/ pre-retreat tasks prior to main session
Print off pre-requisite paperwork/ resources & bring them to the retreat
Bring your own laptop/ PC to the retreat
Access seminar room on campus
Attend the retreat at the specified date and time
Watch and listen to the retreat facilitator(s) and/or other attendees
Follow presentation slides during the retreat
Take part in group activities/ discussions

Booking Conditions

Importance of booking commitment

When booking on to a Researcher Academy short course you are entering into a commitment to attend. If you find that you are no longer available to attend you MUST cancel your place (on the system if more than three days before the course) or if at short notice by emailing ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk. This will ensure that your place can be offered to another researcher on the waiting list. Failure to cancel a place results in other researchers missing out on places through the waiting list process.

It is unacceptable for researchers to just not attend when booked onto a course. Researcher Academy maintains records of those who repeatedly do not attend courses they have booked. This may affect future eligibility to book onto further Researcher Academy courses and will affect considerations for Researcher Academy funded opportunities.

Pre-Requisites

Pre-requisites

• Provision of finance codes (project and cost centre code) from which a £50 fee to secure your place at the retreat will be charged. 

• Completion of a Retreat application form. https://forms.office.com/r/v21yuzjFn9
  Please complete this form at least 1 week prior to the retreat start date. If you book within 1 week of the retreat taking place, please complete the form as soon as possible.