Writing retreats and communities

Discover ways to join the growing community of writing practice at Oxford Brookes 

Write Space virtual writing retreats

These sessions, hosted by the Centre for Academic Development, enable writers of any style and level to work on their own writing within a supportive, structured environment in order to achieve a personal writing goal. You can pop into a break-out room to chat through any blocks to writing, and the group reflects together on the writing process before, during and after a good day’s work.


Sessions are currently online via Zoom.

Who is it for? 

  • All Brookes students and staff

Dates:

  • Write Space retreats will resume in semester 2

Writing mornings and afternoons for HSS

These monthly writing events provide HSS staff and postgraduates with a dedicated space for writing. The events will alternate between Friday mornings, 9:00 am - 12:30 pm and Wednesday afternoons, 12:00 - 3:30 pm.  The events in semester 1 will be online. Some events in semester 2 will be face to face. Join in for as little or as much as you are able.

Contact Susannah Wright susannahwright@brookes.ac.uk for the Zoom link or with any queries.

Who is it for? 

  • Postgraduates and staff in HSS

Dates:

  • Wednesday 8 March, Writing afternoon, 12:00 - 3:30pm (face to face and online)
  • Friday 14 April, Writing morning, 9:00am - 12:30pm (online)
  • Wednesday 10 May, Writing afternoon, 12:00 - 3:30pm (face to face and online)
  • Friday 9 June, Writing morning, 9:00am - 12:30pm (online)
  • Wednesday 12 July, Writing afternoon, 12:00 - 3:30pm (face to face and online)

Centre for Nursing and Midwifery academic writing community

This regular online writing group is for any member of staff, either highly experienced, intermediate, or a novice who wants to meet regularly in a supportive and nurturing environment to work on current writing projects which are not limited to journal articles alone. The group is also open to master's dissertation writers, professional doctorate students, and PhD students.

Please contact Dr Marion Waite mwaite@brookes.ac.uk if you would like to receive the invitations and links. All that is required of you is to show up to write.

Who is it for? 

  • Nursing and Midwifery staff and postgraduate students.

Dates:

  • First Wednesday of each month, 5.00-6.30pm
  • Third Friday of each month, 10.00-11.30am

Shut-Up-and-Write (HSS postgraduates)

Postgraduate students in HSS are invited to these Shut-Up-and-Write sessions which take place during semester time. These are quiet hours to write in a distraction-free environment with regular breaks to check in with others. Think of it as your writing oasis and as a way to connect with other students.  Sessions take place online. 

Contact Nicole Pohl  npohl@brookes.ac.uk for more details.

Who is it for? 

  • HSS postgraduate students.

Dates:

  • Friday 10 March, 9:00am - 12:30pm (online)
  • Friday 14 April, 9:00am - 12:30pm (online)
  • Friday 26 May, 9:00am - 12:30pm (online)
  • Friday 9 June, 9:00am - 12:30pm (online)

Writing Retreats for DNurs Students

A series of 3 writing retreats have been planned for students enrolled on the DNurs programme: 

  • Writing your methods chapter  
    • Saturday, 25 March 2023, 9.00am to 4.00pm
  • Writing your findings/results chapters
    • Saturday, 24 June 2023, 9.00am to 4.00pm
  • Thesis endgame workshop. This is aimed at doctoral writers within 6-12 months of submission. 
    • September 2023, exact time and date TBC

For more information, please contact Dr Marion Waite mwaite@brookes.ac.uk

Who is it for? 

  • DNurs students in years 3,4 & 5

Dates:

  • 25 March 2023, 9.00am - 4.00pm
  • 24 June 2023, 9.00am - 4.00pm

Media, Journalism and Publishing Society

For students wanting to explore developing their skills in writing for a variety of media and meet others with simlar interests.

External writing communities you may wish to explore...

Shut Up and Write!

Meet up online with people from all over the world and then get some writing done.