Key Information
Tutors: Dr Elena Forasacco and Centre for Academic English tutors
Duration: 2-day non-residential retreat with a 2 hour online welcome event
Delivery: Live (In-Person, South Kensington) and Live (Online, MS Teams)
Course Credit (PGR only):
2 credits
Audience: Research Degree Students
Dates
- 30 & 31 October 2025
In-Person, South Kensington - 22 & 23 January 2026
Live Online, Microsoft Teams - 25 & 26 February 2026
In-Person, South Kensington - 26 & 27 March 2026
In-Person, South Kensington
These writing retreats are a collaboration between the Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) and Centre for Academic English (CfAE). They provide a focused opportunity for you to make major advances in writing your thesis in a supportive environment, which will enhance your subsequent productivity. You will have the opportunity to complete a significant piece of writing, gain new perspectives on your attitude and approach to writing, and review your writing habits in order to become more effective writers.
Before the retreat, some simple activities to complete will prepare you for the retreat (about 1 hour).
During the retreat, there is plenty of time set aside for writing. There are short talks on specific writing issues and areas such as maintaining motivation. ECRI and CfAE tutors are available for one-to-one consultations throughout the retreat. These consultations focus on generating solutions to writing problems, assisting in developing drafts, and providing feedback on writing in-progress.
The retreats are designed for final year students who have started planning their thesis and completed some writing, aiming to submit within a year of the retreat date.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this retreat you will be better able to:
- Plan and manage the thesis-writing process
- Set clear and achievable goals for writing
- Write clear, precise and organised academic text
- Structure and connect the narrative of your research writing
- Maintain the momentum and your wellbeing
How to book
- Bookings will close approximately 4 weeks before each retreat to allow time for shortlisting, and for shortlisted participants to complete the independent preparation work before the live component of the retreat.
- Due to the high demand, the registration process has 3 stages:
- Fill the application form in Qualtrics
- Application forms will be shortlisted based on the submission date you indicate in the form
- Successful applicants will receive an email with further details
Please ensure you have read and understood ECRI’s cancellation policy before booking.