This online course is run by the Researcher Academy.

Researcher Academy courses are in high demand and are typically offered in both semesters, allowing you to attend at a time of the year that best suits you.

Target audience: This retreat is for early-career research-focused staff (including Research Assistants/Associates, Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Fellows, Fellows, Senior Research Fellows and Principal Research Fellows). Assistant Professors within 18 months of their appointment are welcome to attend; early-career Research Technicians, Teaching Fellows and APM research support staff are also welcome.

Please note this online this online writing retreat is for staff only and is not open to postgraduate research students. Postgraduate research students can attend the PGR Writing Retreat instead.

Course description: Do you need to complete an academic writing project but struggle to find time to do so? This two-day online writing retreat for early-career research-focused staff offers the perfect opportunity to set aside dedicated time in your diary, away from meetings and other distractions, to focus entirely on your writing alongside fellow researchers with similar objectives. Whether you are working on a fellowship application, grant proposal, manuscript, or report, this retreat is designed to help you make significant progress.

You can attend the retreat irrespective of the current stage of your writing project – whether you are generating ideas, planning, drafting, editing or rewriting. The only requirement is that you come with a clear aim and goal(s) for what you would like to accomplish.

The retreat will be held on Microsoft Teams. Participants will be added to a Teams group where resources will be available and meeting links can be accessed. You can choose to keep your webcam on throughout the retreat or just during peer-group sessions. At a minimum, you will need to keep the chat box open to receive updates. You will also have the option to join breakout rooms for timed writing sessions designed to provide structure and boost productivity. There will be breaks scheduled throughout the retreat.

When you register, you will be asked to complete a short questionnaire outlining your objectives for the retreat. Your place will remain provisional until this questionnaire is submitted, so please complete it as a matter of priority. The responses gathered will be used by the Researcher Academy for the tailoring, administration, organisation, and evaluation of the retreat.

Your commitment: By registering for the writing retreat, you are ideally committing to attending for the full two days. If you are unable to attend a small portion (less than 10%) but still wish to participate, please contact the retreat organiser, Milo Miller (milo.miller@nottingham.ac.uk), before booking to discuss your availability.

Accessibility: Participants are responsible for having all the writing materials they might need. You will need a stable internet connection, as the retreat will require you to be online throughout the day.

Please review the table below to understand the course’s accessibility requirements. If you anticipate any difficulties participating, please let us know via the 'special requirements' tab, providing as much information as possible. 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: By booking this writing retreat, you are committing to attend. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your place, ideally at least three days in advance. Cancellations can be made via the Central Short Courses system if done more than three days in advance, or by emailing ra-training@nottingham.ac.uk for last-minute cancellations. Failing to cancel or simply not attending may affect your eligibility for future courses and Researcher Academy-funded opportunities.

Pre-Requisites

Session access instructions

This online retreat is run within Microsoft Teams. A Microsoft Teams site has been created for this retreat, and you can access it at the link above. The Teams site provides resources and meeting links that will enable you to join the plenary talks and chat function throughout the day.

Please ensure that you access the Teams site when you receive the joining invite ahead of the retreat. This will enable you to familiarise yourself with the site and access any resources as needed.

On the first day of the retreat, please aim to be settled down in your chosen working environment and ready to start promptly at 9.30 am.