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During the summer months, from July to August, dozens of doctoral researchers from the School of Media, Arts and Humanities got together to share the activity we all have in common: writing. Every week we got together on campus for Writing Days, where we would share our individual goals for the day, write together and share the challenges and successes involved in the process. It was great to see the involvement in the community and the sense of togetherness these sessions created. The two first sessions were facilitated by Dr Kim Lasky, who set the tone for this summer of writing, with constant reminders that we have tools to make writing happen even if inspiration does not seem to be there. She would also make sure to remind us that after finishing a good paragraph, a chapter, or our whole thesis, we deserve to rest. “Give yourselves a pat in the back”, she would remind us after every successful writing session. According to doctoral researcher Melinda Ren, the summer program was “the greatest writing experience I’ve ever had in the School. Starting from the weekly writing session, I met lots of lovely researchers and formed a good habit of writing through goal setting and time management”.   

This spirit of closeness through writing was also present at the first Media, Arts and Humanities at Cumberland Lodge Writing Retreat. In this unique opportunity, we were able to gather 30 PGR researchers for a long weekend focused on progressing with our thesis work in the beautiful setting of Great Windsor Park where the historical royal Cumberland Lodge is located. “The retreat was beautiful and a real tonic to reflect, write, relax, and socialise”, explains doctoral researcher and one of the participants, Jane Dallender. The program was structured around workshops to develop writing and editing skills and extended writing sessions, all guided by Kim Lasky. We also had some socialising events and time to explore the local surroundings. Most of the researchers present deemed the weekend an incredible opportunity to get to know fellow PGRs, share the struggles of the doctoral journey and celebrate the achievements they could accomplish when isolated from family and work obligations. Doctoral researcher and participant Ariel Li highlighted how important it was to be able “to get away from everything that bothers you in mundane daily life and dedicate yourself to a fully concentrated writing experience with inner peace”. To her, a positive kind of ‘peer pressure’ was “just right to encourage you to focus on your work with the company of like-minded fellow researchers”. 

The event was especially appreciated by part-time students, such as Anna Tuggey. She says: “It allowed me to take time away from my family commitments and to keep my PhD writing in my head the whole time for three whole days without interruptions. The writing sessions were really helpful - I had no idea I could write in a room with others and also had no idea that I often sit for way too long writing when I get time - it was so helpful to have the guidance and direction there if we wanted it… Also, someone else did the cooking and washing up - total bliss for someone who normally has had to plan and prepare three meals a day for a family!” 

Another participant, doctoral researcher Jessica Horne, highlighted the connections she developed at the Lodge: “It was a unique opportunity to connect with other researchers in the School and focus on my writing. The retreat provided the perfect combination of structure and support, and I was surprised by how much I managed to write during the sessions. It was a real treat to stay in such beautiful surroundings and know that all I had to do was focus on my research. Unsurprisingly it took me some time to adjust to my usual routine when I returned home! Happily, I still see fellow retreaters on campus and am reminded of the supportive environment I enjoyed at the retreat”. 

Finally, doctoral researcher Louise Dobson highlighted Kim Lasky’s guidance in the retreat. According to Louise, Kim “created a positive, supportive environment that grew into a genuine community over the four days. Her discussions on writing craft were led with a light touch that delivered substance without feeling classroom-y. I found the session on voice particularly thought-provoking and was able to implement what I understood from it immediately in my writing and as an analytical tool in my reading. Overall, the writing retreat was a positive and productive experience that has boosted my commitment to my PhD project." 

Personally, I would like to thank all the participants that made this summer of writing so special, especially those who joined us at the Lodge with so much enthusiasm for working together. I would also like to thank Kim Lasky, for her brilliant mentorship and for doing her work with so much care and compassion. Finally, we also thank the staff at Cumberland Lodge, who provided us with the perfect and inspiring setting for the writing retreat. 

Manuela Salazar

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