Postgraduate researchers boost productivity and community at WRDTP Writing Retreat

On 10 June, Dr Peter Hart from the University of Leeds hosted a successful WRDTP writing retreat for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) on the ‘Education, Childhood and Youth’ pathway.

The day-long event brought together 20 PGRs from four universities, creating a collaborative and supportive environment for focused academic writing.

Writing retreat

 

The retreat provided dedicated time and space for participants to work on a range of projects, including drafting conference abstracts, writing sections of journal articles for publication, and completing thesis chapters. Designed to encourage productivity and connection, the event fostered both individual progress and a sense of community across the White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP).

Participants highlighted the quality and accessibility of the venue, as well as the opportunity to step away from their usual workspaces, as key factors in the day’s success. Many also valued the chance to connect with peers from different institutions.

One attendee reflected, “I enjoyed a sense of the community and also the encouraging, structured and motivational side of the retreat. It makes the writing task easier and less daunting.” Another commented on the benefits of the setting, saying, “It was really useful to have some focused writing time in a nice setting and away from my desk.”

The retreat reflects the School of Education’s ongoing commitment to supporting postgraduate researchers by providing opportunities for collaboration, focused development, and academic community building.

Writing retreat