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The Writing Hub

"Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but that's the only way you can do anything really good." William Faulkner

Supporting our community of writers at Brookes

The Writing Hub is a gathering point for people interested in developing writing skills at Brookes. It encompasses staff and students, our academic writers across the disciplines, our present or future professional writers and those at every stage of developing their writing. The Writing Hub provides a network for sharing writing development activities and hosts regular events and writing retreats. It is a supportive space in which to share experiences, adopt new techniques and get beyond the imperfections of first drafts to reach your full potential.

Join us

To join the Writing Hub mailing list, submit an event or say hello, please email writinghub@brookes.ac.uk.

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News and events

Writing Hub: Write Space Writing Retreats 

This semester we are offering in-person writing retreats in the beautiful surroundings of Headington Hill Hall on 10 May and 12 June. Monthly online retreats will resume between April and July, this time with no limit on numbers so you can put the 26th of each month in your diary. All retreats run from 9am-4pm. There is a half-day option for online retreats. 

Whether face-to-face or online the format is the same: writers of any style and level create a sense of community containing plenty of quiet space to make progress with your writing. The group reflects together on the writing process at intervals, and there will be a Centre for Academic Development tutor available for you to talk through your work . 

In participants' words, Write Space is a stimulating, calm, good-spirited, constructive and productive place to work; you might also get ideas for how to start a writing group yourself, as some have. 

Virtual retreats:   

  • Friday 26 May, 9am-4pm  
  • Monday 26 June, 9am-4pm  
  • Wednesday 26 July, 9am-4pm  

In-person retreats:

  • Wednesday 10 May, 9am-4pm 
  • Wednesday 12 June, 9am-4pm 

Book here

Aerial view of Headington Hill Hall
Image by: Tony Gillie via Historic England

Oxford Academic Paper Writing Retreat for Nurses, AHPs and Healthcare Researchers

This 3-day academic paper writing retreat is open to all nurses, AHPs (Allied Health Professionals) and healthcare researchers at any career stage, working at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, OXINMAHR or Oxford Brookes University, who need time and space to focus on writing a submission to an academic journal. Delegates need to commit to attending the full 3 days (a refundable deposit is required). This in-person event takes place in the John Henry Brookes Building, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University. 

  • Wednesday 17 May, 9am - 5pm
  • Thursday 18 May, 9am - 5pm 
  • Friday 19 May, 9am - 5pm

For more information and to book

Students walking past the colonade towards the entrance to the John Henry Brookes Building on Headington Campus, Oxford

Senior Fellowship (SFHEA) briefings and workshops

The Oxford Centre for Academic Enhancement and Development (Oxford CAED) are running three online events for members of staff applying for Senior Fellowship and in the process of writing their application. The mornings are tailored to different stages in the writing and application process and the afternoons provide protected writing time (with support available). Staff can select to attend multiple afternoons as appropriate. 

  • Monday 26 June, 9:30 - 11:30am, "Need to get started?" (briefing)
  • Monday 26 June, 1:00 - 3:30pm,  Protected writing time
  • Tuesday 27 June, 9:30 - 11:30 am, "Made some progress but need to do more?" (briefing)
  • Tuesday 27 June, 1:00 - 3:30pm,  Protected writing time
  • Wednesday 28 June,  9:30 - 11:30am, "Nearly finished and aiming for the next submission deadline?" (briefing)
  • Wednesday 28 June, 1:00 - 3:30pm,  Protected writing time. 

For more information and to book

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Writing retreats and communities

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Contact us

If you are interested in writing, wish to develop your own writing or are involved in developing others’ writing, we want to hear from you. Please contact writinghub@brookes.ac.uk to get involved or join our mailing list.